1 Corinthians 6:4

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

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}.

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?

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

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

In 1 Corinthians 6:4, the Apostle Paul continues his sharp rebuke of the Corinthian believers for bringing their internal disputes before pagan, secular courts rather than resolving them within the Christian community. This verse uses a rhetorical question to underscore the absurdity of their actions, challenging their spiritual discernment and commitment to Christian unity.

Context

This verse is part of a larger passage (1 Corinthians 6:1-8) where Paul addresses a grave issue: Christians suing fellow Christians in pagan courts. He argues that believers, who are destined to judge the world and even angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3), should certainly be capable of resolving "matters pertaining to this life" among themselves. Paul's statement in verse 4, "set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church," is likely a sarcastic or ironic challenge. He is not literally advocating for the appointment of the most incompetent, but rather highlighting that even the seemingly "least" qualified believer is more suitable for judging internal church matters than an unbelieving magistrate, emphasizing the spiritual wisdom available within the Body of Christ.

Key Themes

  • Internal Conflict Resolution: The primary message is the imperative for Christians to resolve their disputes internally, preventing scandal and upholding the church's witness to the world.
  • Christian Wisdom and Discernment: Paul implies that believers possess a spiritual wisdom, imparted by God, that surpasses the secular wisdom of the world. This wisdom should be applied to practical, everyday matters.
  • The Church's Authority: The passage underscores the church's intrinsic authority and capability to govern its own affairs, rather than relying on external, non-Christian systems for justice.
  • Humility and Shame: Paul's sarcastic tone aims to shame the Corinthians into recognizing the spiritual resources they already possess and the dishonor they bring upon Christ by their worldly actions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "least esteemed" translates the Greek word exouthenēmenos (ἐξουθενημένος), which means "despised," "treated with contempt," or "of no account." Paul's use of this term is deeply ironic. He's not suggesting they literally find the most despised person, but rather that if they truly believe there's no one wise enough among them, then even someone they consider "of no account" would be better than an outsider. This serves to underscore the spiritual bankruptcy of their current approach and to challenge their perception of who holds true value and wisdom within the Christian community.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 6:4 remains highly relevant. It encourages the church to:

  • Seek Internal Resolution: Prioritize resolving disagreements and conflicts within the Christian community, following principles of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation (Matthew 18:15-17).
  • Value Spiritual Wisdom: Recognize that God has gifted His church with wisdom and discernment through the Holy Spirit and through mature believers. This wisdom is sufficient for navigating life's challenges.
  • Maintain Christian Witness: Avoid actions that might bring disrepute to the name of Christ or undermine the church's testimony to the world. Internal disputes taken to secular courts can damage this witness.

The verse ultimately calls Christians to live in a way that reflects their identity as God's people, capable of handling their own affairs with grace and wisdom, rather than resorting to worldly systems that often lack spiritual understanding.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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