1 Corinthians 6:1-20 (NKJV)
Do Not Sue the Brethren
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Glorify God in Body and Spirit
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
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4 comments:
I find it interesting that Paul starts off talking about lawsuits between believers and then returns to the topic of sexual immorality.
When I first read verse 1 many years ago when I was a new believer I thought it meant Christians weren't to sue at all and some people believe this. But after hearing sermons on the subject, I learned Paul was talking about lawsuits between believers. In my study Bible notes there an explanation that says a judge might not have the Spirit of God living in his heart therefore would not have God's wisdom to settle a case.
Yes that is interesting how Paul went from lawsuits to sexual immorality. You are right that some people believe Christians weren't supposed to sue at all. I grew up hearing my mom say that all the time. When I stopped just listening to people and started reading the Bible for myself, I saw how that was misquoted (like so many other scriptures being taken out of context).
I wonder if Christians today who don't believe in lawsuits truly aren't understanding that Paul is speaking of lawsuits between the other believers. I occassionally will read stories about an Amish family involved in a lawsuit but it is never against a fellow Amish or other Christian. That's where I was confused about what Paul was saying. I thought we should never sue but I saw I mistaken. Now that doesn't mean I want to sue anyone because that can be costly.
I do wonder why Paul went back to subject of sexual immorality and he appears to bring it up in future chapters. I'm guessing it was a huge problem in Corinth. I was having a little trouble finding Corinth on the map of Paul's second missionary journey but I found it near Athens.
Corinth still exist but goodness it's been destroyed a number of times. I discovered this after doing a Google search as to whether it still exists.
I'm with you on not wanting to go around suing people. It's too costly to help them make money off those of us who can't afford that :)
Yes from what I'm reading I believe sexual immorality was a huge problem there and why God wanted Paul to keep addressing it. Can you imagine Paul living in our day addressing these issues with the church today? He would be repeating himself over and over again like a broken record because of the hard-heartedness of people. Instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds, we're allowing society to mold and influence us. That's why we see so much of the culture's ways recking havoc inside the church. The salt is losing its flavor and the lights are dim :(
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