1 Corinthians 6:2

My Notes

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:2 Mean?

Paul asks a question that stops the Corinthians in their tracks: do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If you're going to judge the world in the age to come, surely you can handle the smallest disputes among yourselves now.

The concept of saints judging the world connects to Daniel 7:22 ("judgment was given to the saints") and Jesus' promise that the twelve apostles would judge the twelve tribes (Matthew 19:28). The redeemed will participate in God's final judgment. It's not metaphorical. It's eschatological.

Paul's logic is from greater to lesser: if God trusts you to judge the cosmos, you can settle a property dispute without running to a pagan court. The Corinthians were suing each other before Roman judges — broadcasting internal church conflicts to the secular world. Paul says: you have the competence. Use it.

Reflection Questions

• 1.How do you typically handle conflict within your faith community — internally or by going outside?
• 2.Does the idea that saints will 'judge the world' change your sense of responsibility for how you handle disputes now?
• 3.What does Paul's logic (greater competence implies lesser competence) teach about the connection between future authority and present practice?
• 4.Is there a conflict you're outsourcing that your community has the resources to resolve?

Devotional

You're going to judge the world. And you can't settle a dispute in your own church?

Paul's question is dripping with irony. The Corinthians — who will one day participate in the final judgment of all creation — are running to pagan courts to resolve petty arguments between believers. People destined to judge the cosmos can't judge a financial disagreement.

The logic is embarrassing: if God has entrusted you with the ultimate courtroom (the judgment of the world), surely you can handle the smallest courtroom (a dispute between brothers). The greater competence implies the lesser. If you're qualified for the big job, you're overqualified for the small one.

But the Corinthians would rather outsource their conflicts to Rome than resolve them in-house. They'd rather let pagans adjudicate what the church should handle internally. And Paul says: this is beneath you. Not because the conflicts don't matter. Because you have the resources to handle them without involving people who don't know God.

The deeper issue: if you can't resolve conflict within the body of Christ, you're not ready for the authority God is preparing you for. Conflict resolution is training. The small disputes are practice runs for cosmic judgment. And right now, you're failing the practice test.

How do you handle conflict in your community? Do you run to external authorities, or do you use the wisdom God has given the church? The small court prepares you for the big one.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture