1 Corinthians 6:1-8 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

The Believer’s PORTION Is God

Corinth was – like America today – a litigious society. People sue one another today at the drop of a hat. There is nothing new under the sun!

But as Paul addresses the Church, he wants us to understand that our mission is to lead others to know Jesus Christ as Savior. The Church is to be the Light of Christ in a dark world. As Jesus said:

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We are supposed to allow the light of Christ’s love shine from us, out into the darkness of Pagan America. The Church has a responsibility in the place where Christ has planted us. “For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). We are placed where we are placed for a Divine Reason. We are to “your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. The goal of the Church is to win souls from the kingdom of Darkness, and to bring souls to Jesus so that He can:

Colossians 1:13 … deliver {them} from the power of darkness, and translate {them} into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (my paraphrase)

Earthly things should not cause God’s people to sue one another in law courts. The Bible tells us as Christians that we are loved of Jesus, and washed from our sins by His own Blood (Revelation 1:5). Jesus did this so that He could

Revelation 1:6 {make} us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

We are Christ’s Royal Family. Our destination is glory. Our eternity is life. We belong to God. We are not, as believers, to fight over temporal things, but to remember our Great Commission. We are a soul saving lighthouse! Among Israel, eleven tribes were given land. But the Tribe of Levi was given no land. Why? Because God is our portion. Not the things of this world, but GOD. King David understood this. He wrote numerous times:

Psalm 73:6 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 142:5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

And Jeremiah, that soulful Prophet, wrote:

Lamentations 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Preach: The believer who begins to put possessions over his or her PRIESTHOOD has forgotten their purpose in life. Our purpose is not to hold on to as much STUFF as possible. Our purpose is to hold onto as much GOD as possible.

Dare Any Of You?

1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

Word Study: The Apostle is not talking about taking an unbeliever to court, but taking a fellow believer to court. Ironside wrote in his commentary (page 178):

“… [believers quarreling with one another in the world’s law courts] is saying to the world, ‘We Christians are just as covetous and just as quarrelsome, we are just as much concerned about having our own way and about self-pleasing as you of the world are. We recognize your judges as having authority over the Church of God,’ and it is degrading to the Christian thus to act.”

The word translated “another” is the Greek ἕτερος héteros, {pronounced het’-er-os}, which here means “your neighbor”. He is addressing disputes within the Church. This is brought home in verse 6:

1 Corinthians 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

And again brought out in verse 8:

1 Corinthians 6:8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

These are fellow believers that are suing one another in a godless, pagan courtroom. Jesus commanded us as believers to love one another. He said:

John 13:34-35 … A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The love we are to have toward one another is love as Jesus loved. That type of love is self sacrificing as opposed to self exalting. The love that Christ wants us to love does not demean another, but builds up the other. When believers love believers as Christ loved us, this type of love brings great JOY. Jesus said:

John 15:10-14 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

As Jesus emptied Himself and walked through this life in humble adoration toward God, we who are His are commanded to do the same. Christians will one day judge both the world, and the fallen angels:

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

If during the Millennial Reign of Christ we who are “saints shall judge the world”, then we should be able to settle minor disputes in the family of God right now. The Dakes Annotated Bible notes:

“judge” {is the Greek} krino, which means to judge or make a legal decision. It does not refer to passing judgment on angels or sending them to punishment. It does mean that Saints will be exalted higher than angels and will rule them, making decisions for the administration of the universe. Saints, not angels, become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ to inherit all things.”

Romans 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

If Saints are to judge angels, and assist Jesus in judging the world, we should be able to judge legal matters between fellow believers. We are “Saints” not because we are perfect, but because we have believed on Jesus and are now saved. As “Saints” we are set apart from the world to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Rather than air the dirty linen of the Church in public, the Apostle says:

1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Christians Are To Dispense Blessing, Not Cursing

Word Study: The Apostle now asks two questions of every Christian: “Why do ye not rather take wrong?” and “why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”. The phrase “take wrong” is the Greek ἀδικέω adikéō, {pronounced ad-ee-keh’-o}, which means “to absorb the hurt”. The word translated “defrauded” is the Greek ἀποστερέω aposteréō, {pronounced ap-os-ter-eh’-o}, which means “to allow yourself to suffer damages”. Rather than always standing up for ourselves and demanding “my rights”, the needs of the Kingdom outweigh our own needs.

The needs of the Kingdom outweigh
our own personal needs.

This is not a new teaching in the Scripture, but a foundational truth that we often ignore. We are told in:

Romans 12:14-21 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ESV) See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

And the Chief Apostle wrote:

1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him {turn from} evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

The sense of Scripture is that the Christian is to be focused on loving those around us. Let God be the judge. Do good, even when evil is done to you. Solomon said:

Proverbs 20:22 (ESV) Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

And our Lord Jesus plainly taught:

Matthew 5:38-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

This is an evil, litigious world … but as Christians we do not need to join the fray. Let us love others as Christ has loved us. Do good, and let God be the Judge.

Our Focus Is Always To Lead Others
From Darkness And Into Light

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators {sexually immoral}, nor idolaters, nor adulterers {violating the sanctity of marriage}, nor effeminate {malakós, young boys kept for homosexual relationships}, nor abusers of themselves with mankind {arsenokoitēs, one who lies with a malle as with a female, a Sodomite}, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous {pleonektēs, those greedy of gain}, nor drunkards, nor revilers {loidoros, those who are abusive or bullying}, nor extortioners {harpax, robbers, ravenous wolves. See Matthew 7:15}, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Those who are going to Heaven are those who have been “washed”, “sanctified”, and “justified”. Those who are engaged in evil lifestyle choices shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Each of these lifestyle choices have one thing in common: they violate Biblical Love and Divine Design.

God says that those who are engaged in these things MUST undergo the Triune Blessing of salvation. Those around us need to be introduced to Jesus, so that Jesus can lead them to Living Water.

• Those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior are WASHED. Jesus Christ has WASHED us from our sins in HIS OWN BLOOD (Revelation 1:5). We have WASHED our robes and made them white in the BLOOD OF THE LAMB (Revelation 7:14).
• Those who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior are SANCTIFIED, set apart as God’s own children. We are SANCTIFIED in Jesus Christ, called to be SAINTS (1 Corinthians 1:2). We have an inheritance among them which are SANCTIFIED by faith (Acts 26:18; Acts 20:32).
• Those who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior are JUSTIFIED by God. We are JUSTIFIED freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). God no longer sees the believer in Christ as a sinner, but as a son of God. JUSTIFIED by Christ’s Blood, we are saved from wrath by Him (Romans 5:9). Being JUSTIFIED by His Grace, we are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).

Our focus is not our rights, but the needs of the sinner, and the commands of our Savior. We are His people. We live to bring others the glorious Gospel of salvation so that they, too, might be saved. May God the Holy Spirit touch your hearts with His Word this day. Amen and Amen.