Oct 29, 2023
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
To this point in the letter, Paul has addressed two issues in the Corinthian church … divisions, and immorality. Now he introduces a third, grievous problem that plagued the Christian community there, namely that people of the fellowship were taking others from the fellowship to court.
The authority of the church forms the background of both the issue of immorality in chapter 5 and the issue of litigation in chapter 6. Paul is outraged that one Christian would take another Christian to court to regain some loss.
To air their grievances before the unbelieving world, no doubt, made the Christian community look petty and vengeful. Further, Christians have enough wisdom and sense of justice … even more than unbelievers … to settle their disputes within the church. "I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers?" (1 Cor 6:5).
Then we have this very searching question … "Why not rather suffer wrong?" (1 Cor 6:7). This passage is not just about lawsuits. It is about the spirit of revenge and jealousy. Jesus Himself commanded that we "turn the other cheek" and that we forgive until 70 times 7. We must never forget that God's justice is sure and that heaven will make amends for all.