1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (Part 28) Doctrinal Ignorance Revealed

• Series of 5 questions in vv. 2-4

• The question is basically—“are you doctrinally stupid?”

• The reason they could not see how doctrine related to life was carnality

• Ignorance does not negate responsibility, v. 5

• Principle—inability to apply doctrine or relate truth to life is evidence of carnality

What doctrines are they ignorant of?

• Don’t you know saints will judge the world (v. 2)—eschatology is practical: 1) The problem they were having was trivial, v. 2; 2) They should have been able to solve with doctrine, v. 5

• Don’t you know saints will judge angels (v. 3)—you will judge God’s highest order of creation—you should be able to handle your problems

• You are appointing inferior judges in church matters—COME ON GUYS!!

The Corinthians lawsuits portrayed immaturity, vv. 5-6

• You just need one wise man

• The idea of wisdom in the Bible is skill relating truth to life

• They had knowledge (“don’t you know”—they lacked wisdom to apply it)

4 Things that seem to make appearance in civil court legitimate and at times necessary—(warning: this is my opinion)

1. We all have civil obligations

2. We may need clarification of agreements

3. We may need action in a criminal matter

4) We may need to go to court as a last resort

The Corinthians lawsuits were evidence of spiritual defeat—vv. 7-8

• “Utterly a fault”—word used to describe military defeat

• They were experiencing total (“wholly”) spiritual failure in this matter

• Suggesting a wrong (v. 7)—this does not negate the concept of justice

The Corinthian lawsuits portrayed ignorance of the make-up of God’s kingdom, 6:9-10

• “Unrighteous”—goes back to v. 1

• The unrighteous are broken into categories based on conduct (4 are sexual in nature)

• None are part of God’s kingdom

The Corinthian lawsuits portrayed indifference to their spiritual position—6:11

• Washed—Christ’s cleansing them

• Sanctified—Holy Spirit set apart

• Justified—the Father declared righteous

*The believer must always be aware that he has resources in the Word of God that the world does not have (6:5).