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1 Corinthians 6:
[SUP]1[/SUP] Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? [SUP]2[/SUP] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [SUP]3[/SUP] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? [SUP]4[/SUP] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. [SUP]5[/SUP] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? [SUP]6[/SUP] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. [SUP]7[/SUP] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? [SUP]8[/SUP] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
I believe that there are two "main points" that Paul is making here:
~ Those in the Church should not be going outside of the Church to "solve" disputes / problems between its members. It is a shame for any saint to place their "concerns" in the hands of anyone who is not a saint. It is a shame for a saint to voluntarily place themselves under the judgment of anyone who is not a saint. It is a shame if saints cannot "solve" their own disputes / problems themselves.
~ Even the "least" of those in the Church should be able to judge matters [ of this life ]. It is a shame if all ( each and every one ) who are in the Church are not able to judge matters [ of this life ].
Verse 4 is a statement, not a question. It is a "suggestive" command. ( And, yes - perhaps a bit sarcastic? ) It is making the point that - the "least esteemed in the church" would / should judge well matters [ of this life ] - and that, none should be afraid of their judgment ( Because, their 'discipleship' / 'training' / [ spiritual ] 'maturity' should not be any different than - and "just as good as" - any of the "most esteemed in the church" - i.e., they should be "just as able as anyone" to judge matters [ of this life ]. )
By telling them to set the "least esteemed in the church" as judges, Paul is reinforcing the foundational 'tenant' of doctrine that - if properly and faithfully followed - prevents "off-balance" leadership within the Church. ( Which happens when the "most esteemed in the church" are "lifted up" while the "least esteemed in the church" are "lowered" or ignored. )
[SUP]1[/SUP] Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? [SUP]2[/SUP] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [SUP]3[/SUP] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? [SUP]4[/SUP] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. [SUP]5[/SUP] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? [SUP]6[/SUP] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. [SUP]7[/SUP] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? [SUP]8[/SUP] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
I believe that there are two "main points" that Paul is making here:
~ Those in the Church should not be going outside of the Church to "solve" disputes / problems between its members. It is a shame for any saint to place their "concerns" in the hands of anyone who is not a saint. It is a shame for a saint to voluntarily place themselves under the judgment of anyone who is not a saint. It is a shame if saints cannot "solve" their own disputes / problems themselves.
~ Even the "least" of those in the Church should be able to judge matters [ of this life ]. It is a shame if all ( each and every one ) who are in the Church are not able to judge matters [ of this life ].
Verse 4 is a statement, not a question. It is a "suggestive" command. ( And, yes - perhaps a bit sarcastic? ) It is making the point that - the "least esteemed in the church" would / should judge well matters [ of this life ] - and that, none should be afraid of their judgment ( Because, their 'discipleship' / 'training' / [ spiritual ] 'maturity' should not be any different than - and "just as good as" - any of the "most esteemed in the church" - i.e., they should be "just as able as anyone" to judge matters [ of this life ]. )
By telling them to set the "least esteemed in the church" as judges, Paul is reinforcing the foundational 'tenant' of doctrine that - if properly and faithfully followed - prevents "off-balance" leadership within the Church. ( Which happens when the "most esteemed in the church" are "lifted up" while the "least esteemed in the church" are "lowered" or ignored. )