Question 1

In verse 1, what is the basic situation Paul describes, and what contrast does he use to frame it?

Accepted Answer

Paul describes a believer who has “a matter” against a “neighbor” (another person in the community) and chooses to “go to law” in an outside venue. He frames it as a contrast between two audiences or courts: “before the unrighteous” versus “before the saints.” The passage does not yet detail the dispute itself; the focus is on the choice of where it is decided and by whom. Paul’s wording assumes that taking the case outside is the surprising move, and that the community of “saints” is the expected setting for resolving conflicts between its members.

Question 2

What repeated phrase shapes Paul’s argument in verses 2–3, and what effect does it have?

Accepted Answer

Paul repeats “Don’t you know…?” (vv.2–3). This suggests he is not introducing brand-new information but appealing to shared teaching or shared beliefs the Corinthians already accept. The effect is confrontational and logical: if they already grant these larger claims (saints judging the world; “we” judging angels), then their current behavior looks inconsistent. The repetition also pressures the audience to see the issue as obvious, not merely a matter of preference about courts, but a mismatch between their stated identity and their practice.

Question 3

According to verses 2–3, what reasons does Paul give for believing the church can judge “the smallest matters”?

Accepted Answer

Paul argues from greater to lesser. He states that “the saints will judge the world” (v.2) and then intensifies it: “we will judge angels” (v.3). If those large-scale judgment roles are true, then the church should not be “unworthy” (unqualified) to judge comparatively minor disputes—“the smallest matters” and “things that pertain to this life.” The logic depends on the relative weight of the subjects: world and angels represent far greater matters than everyday conflicts, so everyday conflicts should be within the community’s competence.

Question 4

What does Paul mean by “things that pertain to this life” in verse 3, based on the immediate context?

Accepted Answer

In context, “things that pertain to this life” contrasts with the future or ultimate role Paul assigns to the saints (“judge the world”) and to “we” (“judge angels”). So the phrase most naturally refers to ordinary, present-life disputes—issues that arise within normal social and economic life in Corinth. Paul does not list examples here, but his own comparison implies these are relatively small, practical matters rather than the cosmic-scale judgments he references. The emphasis is not on the topic list but on the mismatch: everyday conflicts are being handled as if the church lacks authority or wisdom.

Question 5

In verse 4, what problem is Paul highlighting by asking about appointing those “of no account in the assembly”?

Accepted Answer

Paul is pointing out an inconsistency in who is given authority to decide disputes. If believers must judge matters “pertaining to this life,” he asks why they would “set” as judges people who are “of no account in the assembly.” This could mean outsiders to the church (people who do not belong to the gathered community), which would match his earlier contrast between “the unrighteous” and “the saints.” It could also carry an ironic edge about status: the Corinthians may treat certain people as insignificant, yet still hand them decisive roles—or prefer outsiders they regard as more impressive.

Question 6

How do verses 1–4 connect to the prior theme in 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 about insiders and outsiders?

Accepted Answer

In 1 Corinthians 5:12–13, Paul distinguishes between judging those “inside” versus those “outside,” arguing the community should deal with its own internal matters rather than trying to police the outside world. Verses 1–4 of chapter 6 apply that insider/outsider distinction to disputes: a conflict between believers is being taken to outsiders for judgment. So the connection is conceptual and practical: the church is responsible for handling its internal issues, and relying on outside courts for disputes between members undermines the boundary Paul just emphasized and suggests confusion about the community’s identity and role.

Question 7

What explicit claims does Paul make about the future role of “saints” and “we,” and what inference does he draw from those claims?

Accepted Answer

Explicitly, Paul says “the saints will judge the world” (v.2) and “we will judge angels” (v.3). He presents these as shared knowledge, not as speculative ideas. From those claims he draws an inference: if the community is destined for such significant judgment responsibilities, then it should be able to judge “the smallest matters” now. The passage therefore links future identity with present competence. Even if readers debate how literal or detailed these future judgments are, Paul’s argument in the text uses them to support internal dispute resolution rather than outsourcing it.

1 Corinthians 6:1-4

Scripture