First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems”

First Corinthians“Solving Church Problems” Lesson 7, Section Eight Problem Six: “Bad Brotherly Relationships” First Corinthians 6:1-11 Pages 37-40

In Reviewing the last lesson...First Corinthians 5 • In Chapter 5, Paul discussed the need for judging within the local church • They must judge brethren living with sin • They were not to keep company with a “so-called brother” in their assemblies • They must be purged [put away] this man from among them • Otherwise, the sin may spread and would result in the church condoning such a life

In Reviewing the last lesson...First Corinthians 5 • The Corinthians were reluctant to judge such a sinner • He had told them in an earlier letter not to associate with fornicators, but this so-called brother was still among them • Paul ended the chapter with two questions: • “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?” (5:12) • “But them that are without God judges. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (5:13)

Now, Bad Brotherly Relationships...First Corinthians 6:1-11 • Having brought up the subject of judging, he now turns to a different judging that was causing a problem • Judging where two brethren cannot agree to come to terms with each other • In pointing out their problem of “Bad Brotherly Relationships”, he asked nine questions in the first paragraph in chapter six • Paul frequently used rhetorical questions to bring to their remembrance things they should already know

Now, Bad Brotherly Relationships...First Corinthians 6:1-11 • This is a lesson having to do with a brother taking another brother to civil court to settle their differences • This is not a lesson banning civil courts nor forbidding a brother to use such courts in some circumstances • This is not a lesson saying a brother sins by being taken to court by another party • This is true even if the one taking him to court is a brother who persists in doing so

Lawsuits Against Brethren CondemnedFirst Corinthians 6:1 • How dare you file a lawsuit against a brother and ask an unbeliever [secular court] to decide the matter? • Dare means to “bring oneself to do a thing” • Paul prescribes another remedy for disputes when those involved are Christians • Take the matter before the saints [other believers] • If saints cannot resolve the matter using God’s word, how would they expect an unrighteous judge to resolve the matter using man’s wisdom

Where did Paul get such a principle?First Corinthians 6:1 • What did Jesus say about settling differences? • (1) Settle your differences personally, if possible; • (2) if not, take witnesses to validate the claims of the innocent against the guilty; • (3) if all personal efforts fail to resolve the problem, take the matter to the church for spiritual counsel and influence; • (4) as a last resort, the offending brother should be disciplined for disobedience to God’s laws governing brotherly love. (Matthew 18:15-17)

Saints Will Judge the WorldFirst Corinthians 6:2 • We know, of course, that God will judge the world (5:13) • In some way, Christians will also judge the world • Maybe this has reference to Christians living by God’s word which results in a judgment against those not living by God’s word • If Christians can judge in important spiritual matters, then they can judge in temporal matters of this life [those issues between brethren] • Christians continually make judgments between righteousness and unrighteousness

Saints Will Judge the AngelsFirst Corinthians 6:3 • Similarly, Christians are teaching and applying God’s law that sets forth the judgment of angels • How this is done, or will be done, is not stated • Angels are ministers, not sons of God (Heb. 1:5-7) • They are also ministers to “heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1:14) • Certainly then, Christians are qualified to judge in temporal matters “pertaining to this life”

“...those least esteemed in the church”First Corinthians 6:4 • This phrase has different meanings depending on the translation used • One view - the KJV suggests Christians: • “Set them to judge who are least esteemed [as a judge] in the church” • They would be better able to render a fair settlement between brethren than the unjust civil judges • “Least esteemed in the church” (v4) seems contrary to “a wise man among you” (5) unless he refers in verse 4 to those who are not elders, deacons, or preachers [those in an esteemed office in the church] • Esteem means “to set a high value on”

“...those least esteemed in the church”First Corinthians 6:4 • Another view - the ASV suggests civil judges: “set them to judge who are of no account in the church” • Who are “least esteemed” [as godly and fair-minded men], and who are “of no account in the church” [unrighteous judges] • The NKJV suggests civil judges: “appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge” • Why do you lay them [lawsuits] before those [civil judges] who have no standing in the church? (ESV)

“Is there not a wise man among you? First Corinthians 6:5 • This verse states, “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” (KJV) • Paul suggested that surely they could find one wise man to be a judge

Why would you not rather accept wrong?First Corinthians 6:6-8 • Before a brother sues another, he may be better off just to accept the wrong done to him rather than resorting to unbelievers to judge (7) • The conclusion is that one brings reproach upon the whole church if he pursues the civil court route to seek relief in the matter (v8)

What did Jesus say?First Corinthians 6:6-8 • Also, the one being sued must remember what Jesus taught on this matter in Matt. 5:39-40: “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also”

Inheritance in JeopardyFirst Corinthians 6:9-11 • The wicked [unrighteous] shall not inherit the kingdom of God • Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, etc • And such were some of you but you were washed, justified, sanctified… • “Going to law” (v1) with another brother falls into this same group of sins, i.e., “you do wrong and defraud” (v8)

First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems”