1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Apparently the Corinthians were having disagreements amongst each other. This isn't that big of a deal, of course people will not agree on everything. The real issue is how we deal with disagreements. Unfortunately, they were bringing these disagreements to those outside the church. It's like if I had a problem with a brother or sister in Christ and we couldn't reach an agreement, I brought the case to Judge Judy. Apparently, the saints are to judge the angels (v2) and us to judge the world (v3). Clearly there's some serious judging to be done by us as Paul points out. However, it's weird that we are to judge big things like the world and the angels, but those at the Corinthian church couldn't even judge their own cases. "And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?" (v2, ESV).

It is also particularly shameful to bring disputes outside the church. It shows that within the church, we are unable to settle the disputes ourselves.

To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat to you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

(v7, ESV)

It would even be better if they were simply wronged or defrauded. It is worse to bring it to those outside the church than to actually be wronged or defrauded. In fact, if it comes to that, you should be wronged or defrauded instead. Jesus instructs us to turn the other cheek and other methods in dealing with people who want to hurt you or take from you (Matthew 5:38-42, Luke 6:27-31).

Paul makes a point about the unrighteous. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" (v9, ESV). They will not inherit the kingdom of God, and yet these at the Corinthian church are bringing their lawsuits to those unrighteous. Clearly, this doesn't make sense.

Now, with that point you may be wondering about yourself. Each and everyone one of us are sinners, do we fall in that category? NO!

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

(v11, ESV)

A commentary I read makes a point about the original Greek using the word alla (meaning "but") three times. It goes like this:

alla apolouō alla hagiazō alla dikaioō

Where apolouō is "you are washed", hagiazō is "you were sanctified" and dikaioō is "you were justified". The stress of alla three times shows the contrast between their current state and their past state.

Don't bring lawsuits between believers to non-believers. You can judge it for yourselves or seek the counsel of others within the church to reach a conclusion.