Do Not Litigate among Believers; Lives Transformed
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
1Cor.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τολμα: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- πραγμα: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ετερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- κρινεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- επι: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αδικων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ουχι: PART
- επι: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (structural): Immediate context: Paul continues the argument by charging that the saints will judge the world and even angels, using this eschatological claim to shame believers for taking petty disputes before unbelieving courts.
- 1 Corinthians 6:4-6 (verbal): Direct continuation in the same letter: Paul reproves them for appointing 'those of no account' as judges and expresses shame that believers must go to secular arbitrators—same subject and vocabulary as v.1.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus' procedure for dealing with a sinning brother emphasizes resolving matters within the community (private confrontation, then witnesses, then the church) rather than exposing the dispute to outsiders—parallels Paul's concern for intra‑church adjudication.
- Matthew 5:25-26 (thematic): Jesus' warning to settle with your adversary to avoid being handed over to the judge reflects an attitude toward secular litigation and the desirability of resolving conflicts without recourse to secular courts, resonating with Paul's critique.
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (allusion): Law code calling for appointing judges and administering righteous justice within Israel provides background for the expectation that disputes among God's people be handled by communal/appointed authorities rather than by external, 'unrighteous' courts.
Alternative generated candidates
- If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to bring it before the unrighteous for judgment, rather than before the saints?
- If any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it before the unrighteous rather than before the saints?
1Cor.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αγιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κρινουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- κρινεται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κοσμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αναξιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- κριτηριων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ελαχιστων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- 1 Cor 6:3 (structural): Immediate context: Paul continues the argument that believers will judge angels and greater matters, reinforcing the claim that they will judge the world and so should be competent to judge lesser disputes.
- Matt 19:28 (thematic): Jesus' promise that the disciples will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel parallels Paul’s assertion that the saints will exercise judgment in the world.
- Dan 7:22 (allusion): Daniel’s apocalyptic vision where 'the saints of the Most High' receive judgment and dominion is a likely Old Testament precedent for the idea that the holy ones will judge the world.
- Ps 149:5-9 (verbal): Psalmic language about the faithful executing judgment on the nations echoes the motif of the community of the righteous participating in divine judgment.
- Rev 20:4 (thematic): The vision of those who were martyred reigning with Christ and exercising authority resonates with Paul’s claim that believers will judge the world in the eschatological future.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you unfit to decide the smallest cases?
- Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you unfit to judge the smallest matters?
1Cor.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- αγγελους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- κρινουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- μητιγε: PART
- βιωτικα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:2 (verbal): Immediate context: v.2 asserts that 'we will judge the world,' which 6:3 develops by escalating to judging angels—same argument line about believers' future judicial role.
- 1 Corinthians 4:8 (thematic): Paul's irony about believers 'being rich' and 'reigning' anticipates the theme that Christians will share in Christ's authority (including judging) over cosmic order.
- Jude 9 (allusion): Reference to the archangel Michael's dispute with the devil illustrates early Christian interest in angelic beings and their standing before God—relevant background for claims about judging angels.
- 2 Peter 2:4 (thematic): Speaks of God sentencing angels who sinned, showing that angels themselves are subject to divine judgment—a parallel motif to Christians' role in adjudication of spiritual beings.
- Revelation 20:4-6 (thematic): Depicts the redeemed reigning with Christ (and exercising authority) after resurrection, supporting the idea that believers will partake in authority/judgment in the eschaton.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, then, matters of this life!
- Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, then, matters of this life?
1Cor.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βιωτικα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- κριτηρια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- εαν: CONJ
- εχητε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εξουθενημενους: PART,perf,pass,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τουτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- καθιζετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (verbal): Directly connected argument: Paul contrasts believers judging the world/angels with their ability to judge ‘things of this life’—same theme and vocabulary about Christians as judges.
- 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (verbal): Uses the same concern about who may judge insiders: Paul insists the church must judge those within (internal discipline), paralleling the issue of settling disputes among members.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (thematic): Treatment of a case of serious sin in the congregation shows Paul presumes the church handles internal matters—an application of the principle that believers judge community issues.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (structural): Jesus’ procedure for resolving offenses—private rebuke, then bringing matters before the church—provides a precedent for adjudicating disputes within the Christian community.
- Deuteronomy 16:18 (allusion): Old Testament mandate to appoint judges and officials in the community supplies a wider legal-cultural background for resolving disputes among members rather than taking them outside.
Alternative generated candidates
- So if you have lawsuits about matters of this life, appoint as judges those of least account in the church.
- If then you have to decide matters of this life, do you appoint as judges those who are least esteemed in the church?
1Cor.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προς: PREP
- εντροπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουτως: ADV
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ενι: PREP
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- σοφος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δυνησεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- διακριναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ανα: PREP
- μεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αδελφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (structural): Immediate context and contrast: Paul argues that the saints will judge the world (and even angels), so it is shameful that among you there is not one wise person able to decide a dispute between brothers.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus instructs believers to handle offenses and disputes within the community rather than taking them before secular authorities—parallel concern with intra‑church adjudication and avoiding civil lawsuits.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (thematic): Paul diagnoses the Corinthians' problem as spiritual immaturity, jealousy, and strife—the same lack of wisdom and Christian maturity that makes them incapable of settling disputes.
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (allusion): Moses' instructions to judges to hear cases among the people provide an Old Testament background: communities are expected to have wise adjudicators to resolve disputes, highlighting the shame that the church lacks such persons.
Alternative generated candidates
- I say this to your shame. Is it so that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between brothers?
- I say this to your shame. Is it so that there is not among you a wise person who can decide between brothers? But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers.
1Cor.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- αδελφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κρινεται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- επι: PREP
- απιστων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:1 (verbal): Directly related opening question in the same argument—Paul asks why members bring disputes before unbelievers rather than the saints (same subject and similar wording).
- 1 Corinthians 6:7 (structural): Continuation of Paul's rebuke of Christians suing one another, urging them rather to endure wrong than litigate—develops the practical implications of 6:6.
- Matthew 5:25 (thematic): Jesus counsels settling with an adversary quickly to avoid judgment and the public court process; thematically parallels the avoidance of litigation.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (structural): Prescribes an internal, stepwise process for addressing offenses between believers before taking wider or external action—parallels Paul's insistence on resolving disputes within the community.
- Proverbs 25:8-10 (thematic): Wisdom warning against going hastily to court and exposing private matters—an Old Testament analogue to Paul's critique of believers airing disputes before unbelievers.
Alternative generated candidates
- But brother goes to law with brother—and that before unbelievers.
- Now therefore there is a defeat already among you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
1Cor.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ηδη: ADV
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- ολως: ADV
- ηττημα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- κριματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- μεθ᾽εαυτων·δια: PREP
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ουχι: PART
- μαλλον: ADV
- αδικεισθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- δια: PREP
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ουχι: PART
- μαλλον: ADV
- αποστερεισθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 (structural): Immediate context: Paul rebukes believers for taking fellow Christians to secular courts and urges arbitration within the church, framing the complaint in 6:7.
- 1 Corinthians 6:8 (verbal): Direct continuation: Paul uses the same accusation language (wrong, defraud) to emphasize the moral failure of suing fellow believers rather than accepting injury.
- Matthew 5:39-41 (thematic): Jesus teaches non-retaliation (turn the other cheek, go the extra mile), providing the ethical rationale for accepting wrongs rather than pursuing legal redress.
- Romans 12:17-19 (thematic): Paul elsewhere exhorts believers not to repay evil but to leave room for God’s vengeance, reflecting the same ethic of forbearance opposed to litigation among Christians.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus’ prescribed process for resolving offenses within the community offers an alternative to suing: confront the brother and seek reconciliation within the church rather than taking the matter to secular courts.
Alternative generated candidates
- Already there is a defeat for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
- But you yourselves do wrong and defraud—and this to your brothers.
1Cor.6.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- αδικειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- αποστερειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:7 (verbal): Immediate context—Paul contrasts taking fellow believers to court with the earlier rhetorical question about being wronged or defrauded; shares the same terminology and argument flow.
- Leviticus 19:13 (allusion): Mosaic law forbids defrauding or robbing a neighbor and withholding wages, providing a covenantal background for condemning dishonest treatment of others.
- Malachi 3:5 (allusion): God’s indictment includes those who oppress and defraud wage-earners and neighbors, thematically parallel to Paul’s rebuke of wronging brothers.
- James 5:4 (thematic): James condemns those who withhold the wages of laborers, echoing New Testament concern over economically defrauding others.
- Luke 19:8 (thematic): Zacchaeus’ pledge to repay fourfold those he defrauded illustrates the required ethical response to having wronged others and highlights restitution for defrauding.
Alternative generated candidates
- But you yourselves do wrong and defraud—and this of your brothers.
- Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
1Cor.6.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Η: ART,nom,sg,fem
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- αδικοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- βασιλειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- κληρονομησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- μη: PART
- πλανασθε·ουτε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- πορνοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- ειδωλολατραι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- μοιχοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- μαλακοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- αρσενοκοιται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Galatians 5:19-21 (verbal): A nearby Pauline list of 'works of the flesh' that includes sexual immorality and idolatry and explicitly warns that those who practice such things 'will not inherit the kingdom of God,' closely paralleling 1 Cor 6:9–10.
- Ephesians 5:5 (verbal): Declares that 'fornicators, idolaters, and covetous persons' have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God—an almost identical formula applied to similar sins.
- Revelation 21:8 (thematic): Eschatological catalogue of the wicked that includes the sexually immoral and idolaters and pronounces their final exclusion/condemnation, echoing the judgment theme of 1 Cor 6:9.
- Romans 1:24-27 (allusion): Paul's description of God 'giving them over' to dishonorable passions, including men committing relations with men, provides background for the terms malakoi and arsenokoitai and the moral concern behind 1 Cor 6:9.
- Colossians 3:5 (thematic): Another Pauline ethical exhortation that groups sexual immorality and related vices among deeds to be put to death, reflecting the same moral categories and urgency found in 1 Cor 6:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
- nor the effeminate, nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards,
1Cor.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτε: CONJ
- κλεπται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- πλεονεκται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- μεθυσοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- λοιδοροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουχ: PART,neg
- αρπαγες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- βασιλειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κληρονομησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Galatians 5:19-21 (verbal): Lists works of the flesh and concludes that those who practice them 'will not inherit the kingdom of God'—nearly identical wording and overlapping vices (e.g., drunkenness, reviling, theft, greed).
- Ephesians 5:5 (verbal): Warnings that the sexually immoral, impure, and covetous (πλεονέκτης) 'have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God'—uses the same inheritance/kingdom terminology and condemns covetousness.
- Colossians 3:5 (thematic): Commands believers to put to death earthly practices including covetousness (identified as idolatry), connecting greed/πλεονεξία to moral defilement—thematic overlap with 'πλεονεκται' in 1 Cor 6:10.
- Revelation 22:15 (thematic): Lists those excluded from the city (dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, liars), thematically parallel to New Testament lists of sinners excluded from God's eschatological blessing or kingdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- nor the sexually passive, nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
- nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cor.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- ητε·αλλα: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
- απελουσασθε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- ηγιασθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- εδικαιωθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Titus 3:5-7 (verbal): Uses similar vocabulary and theology: washing/renewal by the Spirit and justification by God's grace — parallels 'washed... sanctified... justified... by the Spirit of our God.'
- Acts 22:16 (verbal): Explicit link between being washed (baptized) and calling on the name of the Lord — echoes 'you were washed' and 'in the name of the Lord Jesus.'
- Romans 6:3-4 (thematic): Connects washing/baptism into Christ with newness of life, echoing the transformation implied by 'you were washed' and 'you were sanctified.'
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 (verbal): Paul elsewhere attributes 'sanctification' and 'righteousness/justification' to Christ for believers — closely parallels the trio 'washed... sanctified... justified' in 6:11.
- Matthew 28:19 (allusion): The baptismal formula (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) parallels 6:11's pairing of 'in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God,' linking name and Spirit in the believer's reception of cleansing and status.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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.
- 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.
When any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to go before the unrighteous for judgment rather than before the saints?
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to decide the smallest cases?
Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, then, the things that pertain to this life?
If, then, you have judgments about matters of this life, do you appoint as judges those who are of little account in the church?
I say this to your shame: is it so that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between brothers? But brother goes to law with brother—and that before unbelievers.
Now, then, it is already a defeat for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
No—you yourselves wrong and defraud, and you do this to your brothers.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who have sex with men,
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 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.