1 Corinthians 6:4

KJV

If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1437} then {G3303}{G3767} ye have {G2192} judgments {G2922} of things pertaining to this life {G982}, set {G2523} them {G5128} to judge who are least esteemed {G1848} in {G1722} the church {G1577}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So if you require judgments about matters of everyday life, why do you put them in front of men who have no standing in the Messianic Community?

Berean Standard Bible

So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church?

American Standard Version

If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 6:4, the Apostle Paul continues his impassioned critique of the Corinthian believers for abandoning internal Christian conflict resolution in favor of secular, pagan courts. This verse, laden with rhetorical force, challenges the spiritual discernment and communal integrity of the church, suggesting that even those considered "least esteemed" within the Christian community are more qualified to arbitrate disputes between believers than any unbelieving magistrate, thereby underscoring the spiritual resources and distinct identity of the Body of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Paul's broader argument in [1 Corinthians 6:1-11](/1_corinthians/6-1-11 "1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Lawsuits Among Believers"), where he vehemently condemns the practice of believers suing one another in pagan courts. The preceding verses, [1 Corinthians 6:1-3](/1_corinthians/6-1-3 "1 Corinthians 6:1-3 - Believers Judging the World"), establish the astonishing truth that believers are destined to judge the world and even angels. This profound eschatological reality serves as the foundation for Paul's rhetorical question in verse 4: if Christians possess such ultimate judicial authority, how much more should they be capable of resolving "matters pertaining to this life" among themselves? Paul's challenge is not merely about conflict resolution but about the church's identity and witness, asserting its spiritual competence over the wisdom of the world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling Roman provincial capital, known for its diverse population, commercial prosperity, and a culture that prized public honor and legal recourse. Roman law courts were prominent, and it was common for citizens to seek justice there. For Corinthian Christians, who were still deeply influenced by the surrounding culture, resorting to these secular courts for disputes, even minor ones, seemed natural. However, for Paul, this practice was anathema. It exposed the church's internal divisions to unbelievers, brought shame upon the name of Christ, and implicitly denied the sufficiency of Christ's wisdom within the community. Furthermore, pagan courts operated on principles often antithetical to Christian values, making their use by believers a profound theological compromise.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully articulates several crucial themes. Firstly, **Internal Conflict Resolution** is paramount, emphasizing that disputes among believers should be settled within the Christian community, reflecting the unity and distinctiveness of God's people. Secondly, **Christian Wisdom and Discernment** are highlighted; Paul asserts that believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, possess a spiritual wisdom that far surpasses the secular wisdom of the world, making them capable of discerning justice in practical matters. Thirdly, the **Church's Authority and Autonomy** are underscored, demonstrating that the church is a self-governing body, equipped by God to manage its own affairs without reliance on external, non-Christian systems. Finally, Paul employs **Humility and Shame** as pedagogical tools, using his sarcastic tone to expose the spiritual immaturity of the Corinthians and to compel them to recognize the spiritual resources they already possess, thereby avoiding dishonor to Christ's name.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **judgments (Greek, _kritḗrion'_):** From a presumed derivative of _kritēs_ (a judge), this term refers to a "rule of judging" or, by implication, a "tribunal" or "judgment seat." In this context, it denotes legal disputes or matters requiring arbitration. Paul's use highlights that the Corinthians are bringing their "judgments" – their internal legal disputes – before external authorities, rather than establishing their own internal "tribunal" based on Christian principles.
* **least esteemed (Greek, _exouthenéō'_):** This word, a variation of _exoudenoō_, means "to despise," "to treat with contempt," or "to set at nought." Paul's application of this term is deeply ironic and sarcastic. He is not literally suggesting that the Corinthians appoint the most incompetent or despised individual to judge their disputes. Rather, he is challenging their perception of wisdom and authority, implying that even someone they might consider "of no account" within the church would still be more suitable for resolving Christian matters than an unbeliever, thereby shaming them for their lack of spiritual discernment.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** Derived from a compound of _ek_ (out) and a derivative of _kaleō_ (to call), this term signifies "a calling out," referring concretely to a popular meeting or, more specifically, a religious congregation. Here, it refers to the local Christian community in Corinth. Paul's emphasis is on the internal nature of the "church" as a distinct, Spirit-empowered body, capable of self-governance and possessing its own inherent spiritual authority for resolving disputes among its members.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life":** This clause sets the premise for Paul's rhetorical question. "Judgments" (G2922, _kritḗrion_) refers to legal disputes or matters requiring adjudication. "Things pertaining to this life" (G982, _biōtikós_) denotes everyday, temporal affairs, contrasting them with the eternal matters believers are destined to judge ([1 Corinthians 6:2-3](/1_corinthians/6-2-3 "1 Corinthians 6:2-3 - Believers Judging the World and Angels")). Paul acknowledges that such disputes will inevitably arise, but questions the manner of their resolution.
* **"set them to judge":** This is an imperative, or more likely, a sarcastic command. "Set" (G2523, _kathízō_) means to seat down or appoint. Paul is challenging the Corinthians to appoint arbitrators from within their own ranks, implying that they should already be doing so. This phrase underscores the church's responsibility to establish its own internal mechanisms for justice.
* **"who are least esteemed in the church":** This is the heart of Paul's biting irony. "Least esteemed" (G1848, _exouthenéō_) suggests those who are despised or held in contempt. Paul is not advocating for the appointment of truly incompetent individuals. Instead, he is using hyperbole to shame the Corinthians, implying that even the most seemingly insignificant or overlooked member of the church, possessing spiritual wisdom, is infinitely more qualified to judge internal matters than any unbelieving judge outside the church. This highlights the profound spiritual bankruptcy of their current actions and their failure to recognize the spiritual wisdom inherent within the Body of Christ.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [1 Corinthians 6:4](/1_corinthians/6-4 "1 Corinthians 6:4 - Appointing Judges from Within") is **Irony**, specifically **Sarcasm**. Paul's instruction to "set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church" is not a literal command but a cutting, ironic statement designed to shame the Corinthians. He is highlighting the absurdity of their actions by suggesting that if they truly believe no one among them is wise enough to judge, then even the most "despised" or "of no account" believer would be a superior choice to an unbeliever. This rhetorical strategy serves to underscore the spiritual resources they are neglecting and the dishonor they bring upon Christ's name. The entire verse functions as a **Rhetorical Question** (implied in the "If then..." structure), designed not to elicit an answer but to provoke self-reflection and expose the foolishness of their behavior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's sharp rebuke in 1 Corinthians 6:4 extends beyond mere practical advice on conflict resolution; it delves into profound theological truths about the nature of the church and the sufficiency of Christ's wisdom within it. The passage implicitly contrasts worldly wisdom, which relies on legalistic structures and external authority, with spiritual wisdom, which flows from the Holy Spirit and is resident within the believing community. For Paul, the church is not merely a social club but a distinct, Spirit-empowered body, called to manifest God's justice and wisdom to a watching world. To take internal disputes to pagan courts was to deny the church's unique identity, compromise its witness, and implicitly suggest that the Spirit's wisdom was insufficient for daily life. The church, as the dwelling place of God's Spirit, possesses all the resources necessary to navigate its affairs in a manner that honors Christ and reflects His righteousness.

* [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Principles of Church Discipline")
* [Philippians 4:8](/philippians/4-8 "Philippians 4:8 - Think on These Things")
* [Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1-2 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The message of 1 Corinthians 6:4 remains profoundly relevant for the church today, challenging believers to live out their distinct identity as followers of Christ in a world often defined by litigation and self-interest. It calls us to prioritize internal resolution of conflicts, not out of a desire to hide sin or avoid accountability, but out of a commitment to the church's witness and the sufficiency of Christ's wisdom. This requires cultivating a culture of humility, forgiveness, and spiritual discernment, where disagreements are seen as opportunities for growth and reconciliation rather than battles to be won. It also means valuing the spiritual gifts and wisdom present within the entire body of Christ, recognizing that God has equipped His people with the capacity to handle even complex "things pertaining to this life" in a manner that honors Him. Our willingness to settle disputes internally, guided by biblical principles and the Holy Spirit, demonstrates to the world that the church is a community where true justice, mercy, and peace can be found.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What current disputes or disagreements within my church or personal relationships might benefit from internal, Spirit-led resolution rather than external intervention?**
* **How can I personally cultivate a greater reliance on spiritual wisdom and discernment, rather than worldly approaches, when facing conflict?**
* **In what ways might my actions, or the actions of my church, be compromising our witness to the world by failing to live out the principles of internal conflict resolution?**
* **How can we better identify and empower those within our church who possess wisdom and discernment to help mediate and resolve disputes?**

### FAQ

**Does Paul literally mean we should appoint the "least esteemed" to judge?**

Answer: No, Paul is not literally advocating for the appointment of the most incompetent or despised individuals. His statement is a profound example of **sarcasm** and **irony**, a rhetorical device intended to shame the Corinthians. By suggesting that even the "least esteemed" among them would be more suitable judges than unbelievers, Paul highlights the spiritual bankruptcy of their decision to take internal church disputes to pagan courts. He implies that the spiritual wisdom available within the Body of Christ, even among its seemingly weakest members, far surpasses the secular wisdom of the world. The point is to underscore the church's inherent capacity and responsibility to resolve its own affairs, rather than relying on external, non-Christian systems that often lack spiritual understanding or a commitment to Christ-like reconciliation.

**Why was it such a big deal for Christians to sue each other in pagan courts?**

Answer: For Paul, Christians suing fellow Christians in pagan courts was a grave issue for several reasons. Firstly, it brought **disrepute to the name of Christ** and the church's witness to the world. Unbelievers would observe Christians, who claimed to follow a God of love and justice, engaging in bitter public disputes, undermining the credibility of the Gospel ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")). Secondly, it demonstrated a **lack of spiritual discernment and wisdom** within the Corinthian church. Paul argues that believers, who are destined to judge the world and angels ([1 Corinthians 6:2-3](/1_corinthians/6-2-3 "1 Corinthians 6:2-3 - Believers Judging the World and Angels")), should certainly be capable of handling "matters pertaining to this life" internally. Thirdly, it showed a failure to live out the **distinct identity of the church** as a separate, holy community governed by Christ's principles, rather than worldly ones. Finally, it often involved exposing private church matters to those who had no understanding of Christian values, potentially leading to further scandal and division.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane issue of legal disputes among believers in Corinth finds its ultimate resolution and profound theological grounding in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is the supreme Judge, the embodiment of perfect justice and divine wisdom, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). It is His Spirit who indwells believers, equipping the church with the discernment necessary to navigate "things pertaining to this life" in a manner that honors God. The very existence of the church as a distinct community, called out from the world, is a testament to Christ's redemptive work, establishing a new humanity united in Him. Therefore, when Paul urges the Corinthians to resolve disputes internally, he is implicitly calling them to live out the reality of their union with Christ and with one another. Christ's humility, exemplified in His willingness to suffer injustice rather than retaliate ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")), provides the ultimate model for believers to forgo personal rights for the sake of unity and witness. The church's ability to settle its own affairs, even by appointing those "least esteemed," is a reflection of Christ's power to empower the weak and to work through His body, demonstrating that His wisdom is sufficient for all matters, both eternal and temporal, within His redeemed community ([Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3-4 "Philippians 2:3-4 - Humility of Christ")).

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

1 Corinthians 5:12

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

Acts 6:2

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Acts 6:4

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.