1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (Part 27) Introduction Relationship of Chapter 5 and 6
Relationship of Chapter 5 and 6
• Both deal with the subject of judgment
• The emphasis is on jurisdiction: 1) 5:12-13—do not overextend into the world; 2) 6;1-11—do not let the world overextend into the church
• The cases of Chapter 6 are not criminal
• The lawsuits of Chapter 6 are manifestations of carnality—they reveal . . .1) Insolence; 2) Doctrinal ignorance; 3) Immaturity; 4) Pride; 5) Forgetfulness of their position
The Corinthians lawsuits revealed insolence—6:1
• The issue needs to be handled (solved)
• The question at hand is—to whom should we go?
• “Matter”—literally “thing”
• “Go to law”—law is the word “krino” which is “to judge”: 1) 5:3, 12, 13; 6:1
• Options involved in judgment: 1) The unrighteous; 2) The saints; 3) Describes the groups in terms of standing before God; 4) Appropriateness of “saints”—Daniel 7:22 (doctrine they had)
The Corinthian lawsuits revealed doctrinal ignorance—6:2-4
• 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. 50)
• 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