Don’t Sue the Brethren

I Corinthians 6:1–11
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In this chapter Paul shifts to another problem within the Corinthian church. The same failure of dealing with the immoral brother was also found in cases of lawsuits between church members. It is evident in this chapter that Paul is disturbed and can hardly believe that members of the Corinthian church are bringing lawsuits against each other. See John 5:22 and Revelation 3:21 for more on judging the world. He says this is a tragedy for at least three reasons:

1. The believers were presenting a poor testimony to the unsaved community (vv. 2,6).
2. They were asking pagan judges to settle problems that they ought to be able to settle with the Lord’s wisdom (vv. 3-4).
3. It was a no win situation, as the members suing each other had already lost. Even if some of them won, they had created a far greater loss in their disobedience to the Word of God.

It would seem that there were some in the Corinthian church who had professed Christianity as a system of doctrine, but not as a rule of life. Paul reminds them that they have been bought with a price (the precious blood of Christ) and set apart to do God’s special work. In such an exalted position, it seems incredible that they would find it necessary to go before an inferior human court to arbitrate their disputes (v. 11). In the last two verses of this chapter Paul breaks out into a terrible catalogue of sins that is a grim commentary on the Corinthian Church.

Application

God expects his followers in any age to have high standards. I should periodically review a list of the Biblical standards that I have for myself and discuss them with my family.