1 Cor 6:1-11

Background to the Passage

Key Things to note in the context of this passage:

Paul is calling out the behavioral errors that are present within the church

Chapter 5 he addresses a congregant who is sleeping with his own mother

Paul transitions to talking about how christians within the church are settling disputes in the legal courts of the time

Similar to today getting mad at another church member and rather than talking to a pastor, you go and sue them.

Paul’s fury arises from the idea that the believers in Corinth are trying to maximize the punishment on one another by settling issues outside the church. Rather, they should be seeking forgiveness and restoration within their own walls as they are under the authority of scripture

Why do you think Paul is so condemning of Church Goers settling their debates in the courts?

Answer: Something along the lines of the morality of the church was more willing to cling to what they “deserved” than to submit to the laws of what God had asked of them. Both sides were refusing to show forgiveness and mercy to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Rather, they wanted to maximize how right they were by settling in the court system of the day.

In today’s world, there is often a similar pattern where we seek Justice in a manner that benefits us the most. We want to see our rights given full assertion and to force others to face the penalty for their actions. For example, in 2013 subway was at the center of a class action lawsuit (a lawsuit with multiple defendants having the same claim) because their footlong sub was only 11 inches. This is a prime picture of how we are so quick to jump to what we feel we deserve.

Paul extends the question of where is the grace and mercy that has been shown to us? Why are we rushing to those that aren’t under the authority of scripture to maximize the punishment for wrongdoing?

Why Do You Think Paul Encourages This Church To Show Grace and Mercy to one another?

Answer: We’ve been forgiven. This forgiveness is a responsive one its nature. None of us are perfect by any stretch of the imagination. We wrestle and struggle with sin. Because as christians we understand the gravity of how much we needed to be forgiven, we should be quick to forgive and slow to become angry.

Jesus actually tells a parable about this in Matthew 18 where the servant has been forgiven this incredible debt and then turns and demands someone who owes him far less pay up immediately with no forgiveness. The king reprimands the servant and demands he now pay the debt that was forgiven.

Paul isn’t saying sin is good and we should neglect it. In fact right after he addresses the one who is suing, he speaks to the sinner with an even harsher tone. The sin was not permissible and it isn’t one of those “this isn’t too bad at least”. Paul rebukes this sinner with as great if not greater strength. He rebukes the behavior of the first while telling the second that if they partake in these actions they will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is not saying to just turn a blind eye to sin, but rather he is asking if our response is to extend forgiveness or if it is to

Why do you think as people we are quick to seek justice when wrong has been done to us but quick to seek mercy when we’ve done wrong?

Answer: We are selfish in nature. We desire that the most favorable outcome happen for us. We want the best thing for us, and often are willing to put it at the expense of another. That’s the very reason why people began to seek justice in the courts. They could maximize their benefit on another’s mistake. Rather the plea here is that, in alignment with the teaching of Christ himself, we seek forgiveness if at all possible. Our immediate response should be of a forgiving nature rather than be one of seeking how we can maximize on another’s sin. May we be a people known for our forgiveness and when we mess up and sin, may we seek reconciliation and forgiveness from our brothers and sisters in Christ.