1 Corinthians 6:2

KJV

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

KJV (with Strong's)

Do ye {G1492} not {G3756} know {G1492} that {G3754} the saints {G40} shall judge {G2919} the world {G2889}? and {G2532} if {G1487} the world {G2889} shall be judged {G2919} by {G1722} you {G5213}, are ye {G2075} unworthy {G370} to judge {G2922} the smallest matters {G1646}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t you know that God’s people are going to judge the universe? If you are going to judge the universe, are you incompetent to judge these minor matters?

Berean Standard Bible

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?

American Standard Version

Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 6:2 confronts the Corinthian believers with a powerful rhetorical question, challenging their practice of taking internal disputes to pagan courts. Paul reminds them of their profound eschatological destiny—to judge the world—and uses this future authority as an argument from the greater to the lesser, highlighting the absurdity and shame of their current inability to resolve even the most trivial matters among themselves within the church. This verse underscores the high calling and spiritual maturity expected of those who are heirs to such a glorious judicial role in God's eternal plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Paul's broader rebuke in [1 Corinthians 6:1-11](/1_corinthians/6-1-11 "1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Lawsuits Among Believers"). Paul is addressing a scandalous issue within the Corinthian church: believers were suing one another in secular, pagan courts rather than resolving their conflicts internally. The preceding verse, [1 Corinthians 6:1](/1_corinthians/6-1 "1 Corinthians 6:1 - Paul's Rebuke on Lawsuits"), sets the stage by asking, "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" Verse 2 then builds upon this by presenting a foundational truth about the saints' future role, making their present behavior seem illogical and deeply inconsistent with their divine calling. The entire passage culminates in a strong condemnation of unrighteousness and a call to live in accordance with their identity in Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling Roman provincial capital, renowned for its commerce, diverse population, and a vibrant, often morally lax, culture. Roman law was highly developed, and litigation was a common feature of public life. For Christians, appealing to pagan courts (which often involved oaths to Roman gods and the authority of non-believing judges) was not merely a practical issue but a profound theological and ethical compromise. It exposed the church's internal divisions to the ridicule of outsiders and undermined the distinctiveness of the Christian community, which was called to live by a different standard than the world around it. This practice also contradicted the early Christian emphasis on internal community and mutual accountability, as seen in passages like [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Church Discipline").
* **Key Themes:** The central theme running through [1 Corinthians 6](/1_corinthians/6 "1 Corinthians 6 - Lawsuits and Sexual Immorality") is the call for believers to live consistently with their identity in Christ, particularly in matters of community ethics and spiritual maturity. Verse 2 specifically highlights the theme of **future eschatological authority** granted to the saints, contrasting it sharply with their **present spiritual immaturity** and lack of discernment. Paul emphasizes the **sanctity and distinctiveness of the church** as a separate entity from the world, asserting that internal disputes should be resolved within the community of faith, reflecting God's wisdom rather than the world's standards. This aligns with Paul's broader teaching in [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians") about the importance of unity, love, and the proper exercise of spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** (G1492) This verb, often used in the perfect tense, implies a settled, experiential knowledge or understanding. Paul is not asking if they have heard a rumor, but if they truly comprehend and live by a fundamental truth that should be self-evident to them as believers. The rhetorical question "Do ye not know?" suggests that this truth about their future judicial role should be a cornerstone of their theological understanding and thus influence their present behavior.
* **saints (Greek, _hágios'_):** (G40) Derived from a root meaning "an awful thing," this term refers to those who are sacred, consecrated, pure, or set apart for God. In the New Testament, "saints" is a common designation for all believers, indicating their holy status by virtue of their union with Christ, not their moral perfection. Their identity as "saints" implies a separation from the world's values and a distinct calling to live in a manner consistent with their consecrated status.
* **judge (Greek, _krínō'_):** (G2919) This verb means "to distinguish," "to decide," "to try," "to condemn," or "to punish." In the context of the saints judging the world, it signifies a role of co-governance and righteous administration alongside Christ, participating in the final determination of justice and the establishment of God's righteous order, rather than merely passing condemnation. It implies discernment, ruling, and administering justice.
* **smallest matters (Greek, _eláchistos'_):** (G1646) This is the superlative form of a word meaning "small," indicating the "least" or "very little" in size, amount, or dignity. Paul uses this term to highlight the stark contrast between the immense future responsibility of judging the world and the triviality of the disputes the Corinthians were taking to pagan courts. It emphasizes the spiritual immaturity implied by their inability to handle even minor disagreements within their own community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Do ye not know":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, designed not to elicit information but to provoke self-reflection and shame. Paul assumes that the Corinthians *should* know this truth, implying that their actions betray either ignorance or a willful disregard of their spiritual identity and destiny. It sets up the logical argument that follows.
* **"that the saints shall judge the world?":** This is the astounding premise of Paul's argument. It refers to a future, eschatological role for believers, where they will participate with Christ in the final judgment and administration of the renewed creation. This is a statement of immense dignity and authority bestowed upon those who are "saints"—set apart for God. It speaks to the ultimate triumph of God's people and their co-regency with Christ.
* **"and if the world shall be judged by you,":** This clause reiterates the premise, establishing it as a given ("if" here functions more like "since" or "given that"). It reinforces the certainty of the saints' future judicial role over the entire "world" (Greek _kosmos_, G2889, referring to the orderly arrangement of the world, including its inhabitants, often in a moral sense of the fallen world system). This future reality serves as the major premise for Paul's logical deduction.
* **"are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?":** This is the rhetorical punchline, the minor premise and conclusion of Paul's argument from the greater to the lesser (a fortiori). If believers are destined for such a grand role as judging the entire world, how can they be so spiritually inept or "unworthy" (Greek _anáxios_, G370, meaning unfit) as to be incapable of resolving even the most trivial disputes ("smallest matters," Greek _eláchistos_, G1646) among themselves? The question exposes the profound inconsistency and spiritual immaturity of the Corinthian church.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **literary devices** in this verse to deliver his sharp rebuke. Foremost is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" This is not a genuine inquiry but a powerful persuasive technique designed to highlight an obvious truth and expose the Corinthians' folly. The question is structured as an **Argument from Greater to Lesser (A Fortiori)**: if they are entrusted with the immensely significant task of judging the entire world, how much more should they be capable of handling minor disputes within their own community? This logical progression makes their current behavior appear utterly absurd. There is also an element of **Irony** in the situation: those destined for cosmic judicial authority are failing at basic interpersonal conflict resolution. This ironic contrast underscores the shame and spiritual incongruity of their actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound statement that "the saints shall judge the world" resonates deeply with the biblical narrative of God's ultimate justice and the destiny of His people. It points to an eschatological reality where believers, united with Christ, will participate in the final administration of justice and the establishment of God's righteous reign over all creation. This is not merely about condemnation but about discerning, ruling, and bringing order to a world redeemed and restored. This future dignity should profoundly shape present Christian conduct, fostering a sense of responsibility, discernment, and the urgent need for internal harmony that reflects God's wisdom to a watching world. The inability of the Corinthians to resolve "smallest matters" internally thus represents a failure to live up to their high calling and a damaging witness to those outside the faith.

* [Daniel 7:22](/daniel/7-22 "Daniel 7:22 - The Ancient of Days and the Judgment of the Saints")
* [Matthew 19:28](/matthew/19-28 "Matthew 19:28 - Jesus Promises Thrones to His Disciples")
* [Revelation 20:4](/revelation/20-4 "Revelation 20:4 - Saints Reign with Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 6:2 serves as a powerful mirror, reflecting both our glorious future and our present responsibilities. Understanding that we, as saints, are destined to participate in judging the world should profoundly impact how we conduct ourselves now. It calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, wisdom, and a deep commitment to justice and reconciliation within the body of Christ. If we are to be entrusted with such immense authority in the age to come, we must demonstrate our capacity for righteous judgment and peacemaking in the "smallest matters" of daily life and church community. Our ability to resolve conflicts internally, guided by God's Spirit and His Word, is a tangible demonstration of His wisdom to a watching world and a vital preparation for our future co-regency with Christ. It challenges us to prioritize the reputation of Christ and His church above personal grievances or perceived rights, seeking reconciliation and spiritual maturity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your future role as a "judge" of the world impact your perspective on current conflicts and disagreements within the church or in your personal life?**
* **In what "smallest matters" do you find yourself struggling to exercise spiritual discernment or to seek reconciliation rather than contention?**
* **What practical steps can you take to foster greater harmony and internal conflict resolution within your local church community, reflecting the wisdom of God?**
* **How might taking disputes outside the church undermine the witness of Christ to the world, and what does this verse teach us about the importance of the church's reputation?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for "the saints to judge the world"?**

Answer: This phrase refers to a future, eschatological role for believers. It does not mean that individual Christians will sit in judgment over specific people in the same way God does, but rather that they will participate with Christ in the final administration of justice and the establishment of God's righteous rule over all creation. This concept is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, such as [Daniel 7:22](/daniel/7-22 "Daniel 7:22 - The Ancient of Days and the Judgment of the Saints"), where the "saints of the Most High" receive judgment and possess the kingdom. In the New Testament, Jesus tells His disciples they will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel ([Matthew 19:28](/matthew/19-28 "Matthew 19:28 - Jesus Promises Thrones to His Disciples")), and [Revelation 20:4](/revelation/20-4 "Revelation 20:4 - Saints Reign with Christ") speaks of saints reigning with Christ for a thousand years. This "judging" encompasses ruling, administering, discerning, and participating in the perfect order and justice of God's kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The saints' future role in judging the world is not an independent authority but a direct participation in the ultimate reign and judicial authority of Christ Himself. Jesus is the supreme Judge, to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). Believers, as those "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), are co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Co-heirs with Christ")) and are destined to reign with Him ([2 Timothy 2:12](/2_timothy/2-12 "2 Timothy 2:12 - If We Endure, We Will Also Reign with Him")). Therefore, the authority granted to the saints is a reflection of Christ's own authority, extended to His redeemed people who are conformed to His image. Their future judgment is a demonstration of His perfect justice and wisdom, administered through those who have been made righteous by His sacrifice. This truth underscores that our present call to live righteously and resolve conflicts with wisdom is a preparation for, and a foretaste of, our glorious participation in Christ's eternal reign, when "every knee will bow" to Him ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus")).

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 19:28

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:30

That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Daniel 7:22

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Revelation 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 3:21

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 2:26

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Revelation 2:27

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.