1 Corinthians 6:1

KJV

¶ Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

KJV (with Strong's)

Dare {G5111} any {G5100} of you {G5216}, having {G2192} a matter {G4229} against {G4314} another {G2087}, go to law {G2919} before {G1909} the unjust {G94}, and {G2532} not {G3780} before {G1909} the saints {G40}?

Complete Jewish Bible

How dare one of you with a complaint against another go to court before pagan judges and not before God’s people?

Berean Standard Bible

If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!

American Standard Version

Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul sternly challenges the Corinthian believers for taking their internal disputes to secular, pagan courts rather than resolving them within the Christian community. Through a rhetorical question, he highlights the spiritual absurdity and dishonor brought upon Christ and the church by seeking judgment from "the unjust" (unbelievers) instead of "the saints" (fellow believers), who are endowed with spiritual discernment and called to embody divine justice. This verse underscores the importance of the church's integrity, its unique spiritual authority, and the imperative for believers to settle conflicts in a manner consistent with their new identity in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a new section in Paul's letter, directly following his severe rebuke of the Corinthian church for tolerating gross immorality within their ranks in [1 Corinthians 5](/1-corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Immorality in the Church"). Having addressed moral purity, Paul now turns to matters of internal conflict resolution, specifically legal disputes. The transition from sexual sin to lawsuits might seem abrupt, but both issues reveal a profound lack of spiritual discernment, maturity, and a failure to live out their identity as God's holy people. Paul’s argument in [1 Corinthians 6:1-11](/1-corinthians/6-11 "1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Lawsuits Among Believers") builds on the idea that believers, as those who will one day judge the world and angels, are certainly competent to judge "the smallest matters" (v. 2). He emphasizes that the church should be capable of self-governance and internal justice, reflecting God's righteousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a major Roman port city, a hub of commerce, and notorious for its diverse population and moral laxity. It was also a highly litigious society, where legal disputes were common, often used for personal gain, vindication, or public shaming. Roman law was pervasive, and the public courts were integral to daily life. For Christians, resorting to these courts meant submitting to judges who operated under pagan deities and worldly principles, often with corruption. Furthermore, it exposed internal church weaknesses and disagreements to public scrutiny, bringing disrepute to the nascent Christian movement. Paul’s concern is not just about the act of litigation but about the *forum*—taking matters before "the unjust" (pagan judges) rather than upholding the spiritual distinctiveness and authority of the Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that Paul develops throughout the chapter and the letter. First, it highlights the **distinctiveness and holiness of the church** as a community set apart by God, called to live by different standards than the world. Second, it emphasizes the **spiritual competence and authority of believers**, who, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, possess the wisdom to resolve disputes justly. Paul later asserts that believers will even [judge the world and angels](/1-corinthians/6-2-3 "1 Corinthians 6:2-3 - Believers Will Judge"). Third, the passage underscores the **importance of the church's witness** to the outside world. Taking internal conflicts to pagan courts scandalized the name of Christ and undermined the credibility of the Gospel. Finally, it implicitly calls for **humility and self-sacrifice** among believers, suggesting that it is better to suffer wrong than to dishonor Christ or damage the unity of the body, a theme echoed in [1 Corinthians 6:7](/1-corinthians/6-7 "1 Corinthians 6:7 - Better to be Wronged").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dare (Greek, _tolmáō'_):** This word signifies audacity, boldness, or presumption. Paul uses it to convey his astonishment and indignation. It's not merely a question of whether they *can* do something, but whether they have the *nerve* or *effrontery* to do it, given their identity in Christ. It implies a shocking lack of spiritual sensitivity and an audacious disregard for the implications of their actions.
* **Unjust (Greek, _ádikos'_):** Derived from a negative particle and the word for "justice," this term literally means "unrighteous" or "without justice." In this context, it refers to those outside the Christian faith, specifically the pagan judges and legal system of Corinth. Paul uses this term to highlight the stark moral and spiritual contrast between these individuals, who operate according to worldly principles, and the "saints" who are called to embody God's righteousness.
* **Saints (Greek, _hágios'_):** This word means "holy ones" or "set apart ones." It refers to believers in Christ, who have been sanctified by God and called to a life of holiness. Paul consistently uses this term to remind the Corinthians of their new identity and status in Christ, emphasizing that they are consecrated to God and thus possess a spiritual capacity and moral obligation to resolve matters according to divine standards, not worldly ones.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Dare any of you, having a matter against another,"**: Paul opens with a rhetorical question, expressing his astonishment and disapproval. The phrase "having a matter against another" refers to a legal dispute or grievance between two believers. The use of "dare" immediately sets a tone of incredulity, implying that such an action is utterly inappropriate for those who bear the name of Christ.
* **"go to law before the unjust,"**: This clause specifies the objectionable action: taking a fellow believer to a secular court. "The unjust" refers to the pagan judges and legal authorities in Corinth who were not followers of Christ. Paul views this as a profound misstep, as these worldly authorities lack the spiritual discernment and moral framework necessary to adjudicate disputes among God's people.
* **"and not before the saints?"**: This is the contrasting and preferred alternative. Paul implies that disputes should be resolved within the community of "the saints"—that is, among believers. This highlights the church's inherent capacity for self-governance and its responsibility to embody God's justice and wisdom, rather than exposing its internal conflicts to the scrutiny and judgment of the unrighteous world.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question** in [1 Corinthians 6:1](/1-corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 - Dare Any of You?"), "Dare any of you... go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" This is not a request for information but a forceful expression of Paul's indignation and a means to challenge the Corinthians' spiritual discernment. The question is designed to provoke self-reflection and lead them to the obvious, divinely intended answer. Furthermore, the verse uses striking **Contrast** between "the unjust" and "the saints." This antithesis highlights the spiritual chasm between the world's system of justice and God's standard, emphasizing that believers, as "saints," should operate under a different, higher authority and wisdom. There is also an element of **Irony** in the situation, as those who are "saints" and heirs of God's kingdom are seeking judgment from those who are "unjust" and spiritually alienated from God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the theological principle that the church, as the body of Christ, is a distinct spiritual entity with its own internal governance and a divine mandate to reflect God's justice and wisdom. It challenges the notion that believers should uncritically adopt worldly methods for conflict resolution, especially when those methods compromise the church's witness and undermine its spiritual authority. Paul's argument implies that the Holy Spirit indwells believers, granting them the discernment necessary to arbitrate even complex matters, making external, secular arbitration unnecessary and even scandalous. This foundational truth calls the church to cultivate a culture of internal peace, reconciliation, and righteous judgment, demonstrating to the world the transformative power of the Gospel.

* [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Principles of Church Discipline")
* [Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3-4 "Philippians 2:3-4 - Humility and Looking Out for Others")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's sharp rebuke in [1 Corinthians 6:1](/1-corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 - Dare Any of You?") serves as a timeless challenge for believers and the church today. It compels us to critically examine how we approach conflict, especially with fellow Christians. The core principle is that the church should be a self-sufficient, Spirit-led community capable of resolving its internal "matters" in a way that honors God and maintains its witness to the world. This requires spiritual maturity, humility, and a willingness to prioritize the reputation of Christ and the unity of the body over personal rights or vindication. While not every dispute can or must be settled internally, Paul's strong language urges us to exhaust all spiritual means of reconciliation and mediation within the church before considering secular avenues. It calls us to cultivate wisdom, grace, and a deep commitment to peace, demonstrating that the wisdom of God, available through the Holy Spirit within the community of "saints," is superior to the wisdom of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my desire for personal vindication or "justice" inadvertently dishonor Christ or the church's witness?**
* **What resources or processes does my local church have in place for resolving internal disputes, and how can I support them?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment and humility to prioritize reconciliation and the good of the body over my own rights?**
* **When faced with a conflict with another believer, what are the first steps I should take to seek resolution within the framework of biblical principles?**

### FAQ
**Why is it wrong for Christians to sue each other in secular courts?**

Answer: Paul argues it's wrong for several reasons. Primarily, it dishonors Christ and the church's witness by exposing internal conflicts to "the unjust" (unbelievers), who lack spiritual discernment and operate by worldly principles. It suggests that the church, despite being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and comprising "saints" who will one day judge the world, is incapable of resolving its own "matters." This undermines the church's spiritual authority and distinctiveness, bringing scandal to the name of Christ. Paul implies that it's better to suffer wrong than to bring such disrepute upon the Christian community ([1 Corinthians 6:7](/1-corinthians/6-7 "1 Corinthians 6:7 - Better to be Wronged")).

**Does this mean Christians can never go to court for any reason?**

Answer: Not necessarily. Paul's specific concern in [1 Corinthians 6:1](/1-corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 - Lawsuits Among Believers") is about believers suing *fellow believers* over "matters" that could and should be resolved within the church. It does not explicitly forbid Christians from engaging with the legal system for other purposes, such as defending themselves, seeking justice against non-believers in cases of criminal activity, or engaging in legal processes that do not involve disputes between Christians (e.g., adoption, property law, or defending religious freedom). The core principle is to avoid scandalizing the church and to seek internal, Spirit-led resolution for conflicts among believers.

**Who are "the unjust" and "the saints" in this verse?**

Answer: "The unjust" ([Greek: _ádikos_](/1-corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 with Strong's Data")) refers to non-believers, specifically the pagan judges and legal authorities in Corinth who were outside the covenant community of God and operated without spiritual understanding or the righteousness of Christ. "The saints" ([Greek: _hágios_](/1-corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 with Strong's Data")) refers to believers in Christ, who have been set apart and made holy by God. Paul uses these terms to highlight the stark spiritual contrast and to emphasize that believers, as God's holy people, possess the spiritual capacity and moral obligation to resolve their disputes according to divine standards, rather than resorting to worldly systems.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
At its heart, [1 Corinthians 6:1](/1-corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 - Lawsuits Among Believers") points to the Christ-centered nature of the church and its calling to reflect His character. Jesus Christ is the ultimate Judge, the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). He is also the great Peacemaker, who reconciled humanity to God through His atoning sacrifice ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The church, as His body, is called to embody this dual reality: to administer justice rooted in His righteousness and to pursue peace and reconciliation that reflects His love. When believers resort to worldly courts against one another, they implicitly deny the sufficiency of Christ's wisdom within His body and His power to unite and guide His people. Instead, the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is to be a community where the wisdom of Christ is paramount, enabling "the saints" to judge "the smallest matters" ([1 Corinthians 6:2](/1-corinthians/6-2 "1 Corinthians 6:2 - Believers Will Judge the World")) with discernment that ultimately flows from Him. By resolving conflicts internally, the church demonstrates that it is truly a new creation, governed by the principles of the Kingdom of God, and thus glorifies Christ before a watching world that desperately needs to see His transformative power ([John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - Love One Another")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:15

¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Acts 19:38

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 16:1

¶ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Acts 18:14

And when Paul was now about to open [his] mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O [ye] Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

Acts 18:15

But if it be a question of words and names, and [of] your law, look ye [to it]; for I will be no judge of such [matters].