1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 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? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 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? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 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? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 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, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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.
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?"
The Apostle Paul now addresses another area of concern, and that was brethren were taking each other to court to settle civil disputes. Now what should have been happening is that each party should've brought their disputes before the saints (i.e. brethren, people who know the Word of God and are led by the Spirit of God) and then have them render sound judgments so as to settle whatever disputes they had among themselves. Instead as the Apostle Paul says here brethren were going to the law, before the unrighteous, to settle them. Sure civil law serves a purpose in our world, and we should always obey it, but civil law is not always in accord with God's Law and the principals contained within it. Similarly the judges of this world are not always just, nor do they always render just and sound verdicts, especially when their decisions contravene God's Law (consider Job 12:13-25, 32:9). Indeed the Apostle Paul here refers to going before unbelievers to settle their disputes as only going before "the unrighteous." Whereas the saints (God's people) again have the Word of God and Spirit of God to guide them, while the world (and those of it) only lie under the sway of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Who then would you want to judge your matters and affairs?
Vs. 2 "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..." is a "refrain" Paul will use throughout his exhortation here to enlighten the Corinthians (and us) to both our privileges as God's people, as well as our responsibilities. Now that we will judge the world means that when Christ reigns, and we reign with Him, we will judge the world with Him. Therefore in light of such things the Apostle asks, "And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" Again Christ has committed judgment of all matters within the church to the saints of it. Believers then are to look to believers for impartial and sound judgments when we have disputes amongst ourselves that need mediation (consider Matt. 18:15-20). Basically anything that does fall into the category of criminal matters, the saints are aptly qualified and commanded to judge the saints in. If however a matter falls into the category of criminal affairs, or civil legislation forbids our adjudicating such things then we are to surrender those matters and their decisions to the proper civil authorities. And so here the Apostle Paul is making it clear that all non-criminal "in house" matters should be settled in house, by the saints of it.
Vs. 3-4 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?
To strengthen his point of our being qualified to settle our own internal disputes the Apostle Paul again uses his familiar refrain and asks, "Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" And if angels how much the things that pertain to this life (vs. 3). The Apostle's exhortation is compelling. For if the world and angels shall be judged by us, how much then are we to judge our own affairs. And so why then would we surrender this solemn duty and right to those who are least esteemed by the church? Who do not know God, nor believe in God. Again civil authorities have their place, but theirs is not to sit in judgment regarding the internal matters that God has appointed to the saints.
Vs. 5-6 5 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? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
The Corinthians who prided themselves on their "wisdom" should have exercised it with some Godly discernment and dealt with their own inter-personal matters in house. Thus the Apostle Paul's rebuke here is so that they will do just that, and judge their own affairs and not take their personal matters before unbelievers to be judged by them. For the church is to live out what we are In Christ, and as the Apostle has already reasoned, since we are going to judge both the world and angels how much more the affairs that pertain to the things of this life. Thus in going before unbelievers for judgment those brethren who do so are only turning over God's decision and judgment in their affairs to unbelievers, surrendering then their solemn rights and privileges to those who do not know God nor have sound knowledge in how we are to obey God. And at the end of it all only securing for themselves a testimony that they themselves cannot even settle their own matters peaceable amongst themselves! Therefore rather then doing that let the church judge her own and the affairs of brethren within it, as God has commanded for us all, as a precursor to our judging both the world and angels.
Vs. 7-8 7 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? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
The Corinthians had utterly failed in this most basic duty as brethren, and that is to do justly, and be just towards one another. Instead they were wronging and cheating each other and taking each other to court, and that before unbelievers, in trying to get verdicts against one another. In light of such things the Apostle Paul says, "why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? Paul's point is that rather then repaying a wrong with a wrong, take the high road, for truly God repays everyone according to their own works and ways (Job 34:11; Rev. 22:12).
Vs. 9-11 9 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, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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.
The Apostle Paul's warning and exhortation here is so that believers will not live lives like those who do not know God, whose lives are only marked by unrighteousness and unbelief. Therefore the Apostle Paul warns us all not to be deceived, and not live like those of this world. For "neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Vs. 9-10
Fornication is sex outside of marriage. It flies in the face of what God has commanded for all humanity and that is heterosexual monogamous relationships. One man one women who become one flesh in the marriage bond, and thus through their bond bring forth and raise children and lay the foundation for civil and just and loving societies. While sex outside of marriage only distorts what love is (a key element which is faithfulness) and only brings with it many negative consequences both into individual lives, but also society as well. If one could measure all of the devastating fall out from it all. One would have a list that would probably touch just about every aspect of human hurt and wrong and injustice and upheaval that now plagues us all. Ultimately then sex outside of a heterosexual marriage covenant is just ones own sin and selfishness manifesting itself through ones own wickedness and fall. Therefore rather than trying to justify it all, repent of it all, and be made clean of it all, through washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit which God does to one and all when they repent and believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Idolatry is not just the worship of idols, (i.e. man made representations of God and or pagan "gods") it is the exaltation of anything before God. Thus God has commanded us all, "You shall have no other "gods" before Me."
Adultery is the taking of another's spouse in sexual relations to oneself. Now Jesus warns to divorce ones own wife so that one can marry another is on par with doing the same, same with marrying a women who is divorced (see Matt. 5:32). People then who think they can annul their marriages through divorce so that they can marry another are only committing adultery in the eyes of God (see Matt 19:9; Luke 16:18).
Homosexuality The greatest lie against and distortion of all human sexuality is homosexuality. Scripture calls it an abomination (Lev 20:13). Now because of it, and all sexual sins, God visits His judgment on those individuals and those nations who live in it, thus we as God's people are to have nothing to do with it (see Lev. 18:1-29, vs. 24-29). Indeed those who reject God in their hearts are even said to be given over to it for their rejection of true knowledge of His Person (see Rom 1:18-32).
Sodomites are people who practice sodomy whether inside of our outside of a heterosexual marriage. The very act of sodomy is so wicked that God completely destroyed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah for their being engrossed in it's practice. Their destruction then is to serve as a warning to us all (see Jude 1-7, vs. 7).
Thieves are people who steal (often habitually) what is not their own. In the N.T. Judas Iscariot epitomized this crime (John 12:6). The Greek word translated thieves (κλέπτης,) is the word from which we draw "klepto" and it's various nouns and adjectives from.
Revilers, are people who use slanderous or abusive language to harm others or forward the same. Oxford Online Dictionary describes the English word used here as, "criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner". Believers then are not to revile people or return reviling for the same. Rather we are to rejoice when we are object of such things for our faith In Christ (see Matt 5:11-12).
Extortioners are people who use threats, force, or violence to get gain or advantage for themselves. They are often likened to ravenoues wolves.
Therefore as believers in and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are all warned not to be deceived for people who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God, therefore don't be like them! Instead if you see yourselves in any of these sins, repent! For truly as the Apostle says of the Corinthians, "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." vs. 11 Now you to can be washed, sanctifed, and justified in the Name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God if you repent and believe the Gospel and thus receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life. Therefore do that today!
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Apostle Paul now addresses another area of concern, and that was brethren were taking each other to court to settle civil disputes. Now what should have been happening is that each party should've brought their disputes before the saints (i.e. brethren, people who know the Word of God and are led by the Spirit of God) and then have them render sound judgments so as to settle whatever disputes they had among themselves. Instead as the Apostle Paul says here brethren were going to the law, before the unrighteous, to settle them. Sure civil law serves a purpose in our world, and we should always obey it, but civil law is not always in accord with God's Law and the principals contained within it. Similarly the judges of this world are not always just, nor do they always render just and sound verdicts, especially when their decisions contravene God's Law (consider Job 12:13-25, 32:9). Indeed the Apostle Paul here refers to going before unbelievers to settle their disputes as only going before "the unrighteous." Whereas the saints (God's people) again have the Word of God and Spirit of God to guide them, while the world (and those of it) only lie under the sway of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Who then would you want to judge your matters and affairs?
Vs. 2 "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..." is a "refrain" Paul will use throughout his exhortation here to enlighten the Corinthians (and us) to both our privileges as God's people, as well as our responsibilities. Now that we will judge the world means that when Christ reigns, and we reign with Him, we will judge the world with Him. Therefore in light of such things the Apostle asks, "And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" Again Christ has committed judgment of all matters within the church to the saints of it. Believers then are to look to believers for impartial and sound judgments when we have disputes amongst ourselves that need mediation (consider Matt. 18:15-20). Basically anything that does fall into the category of criminal matters, the saints are aptly qualified and commanded to judge the saints in. If however a matter falls into the category of criminal affairs, or civil legislation forbids our adjudicating such things then we are to surrender those matters and their decisions to the proper civil authorities. And so here the Apostle Paul is making it clear that all non-criminal "in house" matters should be settled in house, by the saints of it.
Vs. 3-4 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?
To strengthen his point of our being qualified to settle our own internal disputes the Apostle Paul again uses his familiar refrain and asks, "Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" And if angels how much the things that pertain to this life (vs. 3). The Apostle's exhortation is compelling. For if the world and angels shall be judged by us, how much then are we to judge our own affairs. And so why then would we surrender this solemn duty and right to those who are least esteemed by the church? Who do not know God, nor believe in God. Again civil authorities have their place, but theirs is not to sit in judgment regarding the internal matters that God has appointed to the saints.
Vs. 5-6 5 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? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
The Corinthians who prided themselves on their "wisdom" should have exercised it with some Godly discernment and dealt with their own inter-personal matters in house. Thus the Apostle Paul's rebuke here is so that they will do just that, and judge their own affairs and not take their personal matters before unbelievers to be judged by them. For the church is to live out what we are In Christ, and as the Apostle has already reasoned, since we are going to judge both the world and angels how much more the affairs that pertain to the things of this life. Thus in going before unbelievers for judgment those brethren who do so are only turning over God's decision and judgment in their affairs to unbelievers, surrendering then their solemn rights and privileges to those who do not know God nor have sound knowledge in how we are to obey God. And at the end of it all only securing for themselves a testimony that they themselves cannot even settle their own matters peaceable amongst themselves! Therefore rather then doing that let the church judge her own and the affairs of brethren within it, as God has commanded for us all, as a precursor to our judging both the world and angels.
Vs. 7-8 7 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? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
The Corinthians had utterly failed in this most basic duty as brethren, and that is to do justly, and be just towards one another. Instead they were wronging and cheating each other and taking each other to court, and that before unbelievers, in trying to get verdicts against one another. In light of such things the Apostle Paul says, "why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? Paul's point is that rather then repaying a wrong with a wrong, take the high road, for truly God repays everyone according to their own works and ways (Job 34:11; Rev. 22:12).
Vs. 9-11 9 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, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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.
The Apostle Paul's warning and exhortation here is so that believers will not live lives like those who do not know God, whose lives are only marked by unrighteousness and unbelief. Therefore the Apostle Paul warns us all not to be deceived, and not live like those of this world. For "neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Vs. 9-10
Fornication is sex outside of marriage. It flies in the face of what God has commanded for all humanity and that is heterosexual monogamous relationships. One man one women who become one flesh in the marriage bond, and thus through their bond bring forth and raise children and lay the foundation for civil and just and loving societies. While sex outside of marriage only distorts what love is (a key element which is faithfulness) and only brings with it many negative consequences both into individual lives, but also society as well. If one could measure all of the devastating fall out from it all. One would have a list that would probably touch just about every aspect of human hurt and wrong and injustice and upheaval that now plagues us all. Ultimately then sex outside of a heterosexual marriage covenant is just ones own sin and selfishness manifesting itself through ones own wickedness and fall. Therefore rather than trying to justify it all, repent of it all, and be made clean of it all, through washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit which God does to one and all when they repent and believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Idolatry is not just the worship of idols, (i.e. man made representations of God and or pagan "gods") it is the exaltation of anything before God. Thus God has commanded us all, "You shall have no other "gods" before Me."
Adultery is the taking of another's spouse in sexual relations to oneself. Now Jesus warns to divorce ones own wife so that one can marry another is on par with doing the same, same with marrying a women who is divorced (see Matt. 5:32). People then who think they can annul their marriages through divorce so that they can marry another are only committing adultery in the eyes of God (see Matt 19:9; Luke 16:18).
Homosexuality The greatest lie against and distortion of all human sexuality is homosexuality. Scripture calls it an abomination (Lev 20:13). Now because of it, and all sexual sins, God visits His judgment on those individuals and those nations who live in it, thus we as God's people are to have nothing to do with it (see Lev. 18:1-29, vs. 24-29). Indeed those who reject God in their hearts are even said to be given over to it for their rejection of true knowledge of His Person (see Rom 1:18-32).
Sodomites are people who practice sodomy whether inside of our outside of a heterosexual marriage. The very act of sodomy is so wicked that God completely destroyed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah for their being engrossed in it's practice. Their destruction then is to serve as a warning to us all (see Jude 1-7, vs. 7).
Thieves are people who steal (often habitually) what is not their own. In the N.T. Judas Iscariot epitomized this crime (John 12:6). The Greek word translated thieves (κλέπτης,) is the word from which we draw "klepto" and it's various nouns and adjectives from.
Covetous people are essentially greedy people whose desire is for what is not their own (see Ex. 20:17). And so instead of being content with what they already have they set out to acquire, often by unjust and unlawful means, that which is not theirs. Covetous is another sin which the Law also exposes and condemns (see 1 Tim 1:9-11).
Drunkards Here the idea is "intoxication" whether by alcohol or drug usage (see Rev 9:21 margin reading), again what is warned against here is a way of life and or complacency towards such things something Jesus clearly warns against doing (see Matt 24:45-51). Revilers, are people who use slanderous or abusive language to harm others or forward the same. Oxford Online Dictionary describes the English word used here as, "criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner". Believers then are not to revile people or return reviling for the same. Rather we are to rejoice when we are object of such things for our faith In Christ (see Matt 5:11-12).
Extortioners are people who use threats, force, or violence to get gain or advantage for themselves. They are often likened to ravenoues wolves.
Therefore as believers in and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are all warned not to be deceived for people who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God, therefore don't be like them! Instead if you see yourselves in any of these sins, repent! For truly as the Apostle says of the Corinthians, "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." vs. 11 Now you to can be washed, sanctifed, and justified in the Name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God if you repent and believe the Gospel and thus receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life. Therefore do that today!
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
No comments:
Post a Comment