1 Corinthians 6:6

KJV

But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} brother {G80} goeth to law {G2919} with {G3326} brother {G80}, and {G2532} that {G5124} before {G1909} the unbelievers {G571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Instead, a brother brings a lawsuit against another brother, and that before unbelievers!

Berean Standard Bible

Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!

American Standard Version

but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 6:6, the Apostle Paul issues a scathing rebuke to the Corinthian believers for their scandalous practice of taking internal disputes to pagan, secular courts. This verse starkly highlights the profound incongruity and spiritual immaturity of Christians seeking judgment from those who do not acknowledge God's authority, thereby bringing disrepute upon the name of Christ and the integrity of the nascent church. Paul underscores the shame and contradiction inherent in "brother going to law with brother" before "unbelievers," exposing a severe breakdown in Christian love, wisdom, and witness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's broader address concerning moral and ethical issues plaguing the Corinthian church, immediately following his condemnation of sexual immorality in [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Dealing with Immorality in the Church"). Chapter 6 opens with Paul's astonishment that believers, who are destined to [judge the world and even angels](/1_corinthians/6-2-3 "1 Corinthians 6:2-3 - Believers Will Judge the World and Angels"), would resort to external, non-Christian authorities for their personal grievances ([1 Corinthians 6:1-5](/1_corinthians/6-1-5 "1 Corinthians 6:1-5 - Paul's Rebuke Against Lawsuits")). The immediate verses leading up to [1 Corinthians 6:6](/1_corinthians/6-6 "1 Corinthians 6:6 - Brother Suing Brother") lay the groundwork for this specific indictment, emphasizing the church's spiritual capacity and the shame of its failure to exercise it. Paul's argument culminates in a radical call for believers to suffer wrong rather than dishonor Christ ([1 Corinthians 6:7-8](/1_corinthians/6-7-8 "1 Corinthians 6:7-8 - Better to Be Wronged")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling Roman colony, known for its commercial activity, diverse population, and a highly litigious culture. Roman law courts were readily accessible, and disputes were a common feature of daily life. For Christians, however, taking legal matters before pagan judges was deeply problematic. It meant submitting to a system that did not operate under divine principles, often involved idolatrous oaths, and could expose the church's internal weaknesses to a hostile or mocking world. In contrast, Jewish communities typically resolved internal disputes through rabbinic courts or elders, a practice Paul implicitly expects Christians to emulate, given their new spiritual identity and the indwelling Spirit. The shame associated with public disgrace was a powerful cultural motivator, making Paul's rebuke particularly sharp.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians/6 "1 Corinthians 6 - Lawsuits Among Believers"):
* **Internal Resolution of Disputes:** Paul's primary concern is the church's ability to resolve its own conflicts, demonstrating the practical wisdom and spiritual maturity that should characterize the body of Christ. He argues that if believers possess the spiritual discernment to judge the world, they should certainly be capable of settling disputes among themselves ([1 Corinthians 6:2-5](/1_corinthians/6-2-5 "1 Corinthians 6:2-5 - Believers' Capacity to Judge")).
* **Christian Witness and Reputation:** Taking disputes before "unbelievers" (Greek: _apistōn_) brought immense shame and discredit to the name of Christ and the nascent Christian community. It suggested that Christianity lacked the moral framework or spiritual maturity to handle its own affairs, thereby hindering evangelism and misrepresenting the nature of God's people to the outside world. The church's conduct was a direct reflection of its Lord.
* **Prioritizing Unity and Love:** The underlying message is that the pursuit of personal rights or grievances should never overshadow the imperative of [maintaining brotherly love and unity](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment to Love"). Paul later suggests it would be better to suffer wrong than to bring such reproach upon the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 6:7](/1_corinthians/6-7 "1 Corinthians 6:7 - Better to Suffer Wrong")). This theme resonates with Paul's broader emphasis on love as the supreme virtue in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Superiority of Love").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _allá'_):** This conjunction (G235) introduces a strong contrast or opposition. Here, it highlights the stark incongruity between what *should* be happening within the Christian community (internal resolution, love, unity) and the scandalous reality of believers suing each other in pagan courts. It signals Paul's emphatic disapproval and the shocking nature of the Corinthians' actions.
* **goeth to law (Greek, _krínō'_):** The verb (G2919) means "to distinguish," "decide," "judge," or "go to law." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of submitting a dispute for judicial decision. Paul uses the present tense, indicating an ongoing practice, and the passive voice ("is judged" or "allows himself to be judged"), emphasizing the believers' active participation in this inappropriate legal process. It underscores the submission of Christian affairs to non-Christian authority.
* **unbelievers (Greek, _ápistos'_):** This noun (G571) describes someone "disbelieving," "without Christian faith," or "untrustworthy." It starkly contrasts the spiritual standing of believers with those who do not share their faith, highlighting the profound irony and spiritual incongruity of seeking justice from those who do not acknowledge God's ultimate authority or moral standards. It emphasizes the public shame and compromised witness of the church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But brother":** The opening "But" (ἀλλὰ) immediately signals a sharp contrast and Paul's dismay. The term "brother" (ἀδελφὸς) is deeply significant, emphasizing the familial bond and spiritual unity that should characterize the Christian community. It highlights the profound betrayal of this bond when one spiritual sibling takes another to court.
* **"goeth to law with brother":** This phrase directly addresses the scandalous action. "Goeth to law" (κρίνεται) indicates the act of submitting a dispute to a judicial process, specifically a secular one. The repetition of "brother" underscores the internal nature of the conflict and the violation of the spiritual family's integrity. It implies a failure of internal wisdom, mediation, and love.
* **"and that before the unbelievers":** This final clause intensifies the condemnation. "And that" (καὶ τοῦτο) emphasizes the specific, egregious nature of the act. The phrase "before the unbelievers" (ἐπὶ τῶν ἀπίστων) points to the public forum and the audience. This act not only damages internal relationships but also brings disrepute upon the Christian faith in the eyes of those outside the church, undermining its witness and credibility.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his strong disapproval. The most prominent is **Contrast**, immediately signaled by the opening "But" (ἀλλὰ). This sets up a stark opposition between the ideal of Christian community, characterized by love and internal resolution, and the shameful reality of believers suing one another. There is also significant **Irony** present: those who are destined to judge the world and angels (as stated in [1 Corinthians 6:2-3](/1_corinthians/6-2-3 "1 Corinthians 6:2-3 - Believers' Future Role in Judgment")) are now submitting their own disputes to the judgment of "unbelievers." This highlights the profound spiritual immaturity and misplacement of authority within the Corinthian church. Furthermore, the entire passage is imbued with a sense of **Shame** and **Dishonor**, which serves as a powerful rhetorical tool. Paul repeatedly emphasizes the disgrace brought upon the church's reputation and the name of Christ by these public displays of disunity and lack of wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of 1 Corinthians 6:6 are profound, touching upon the very nature of the church as God's redeemed community. Paul's rebuke underscores that the church is not merely a social club but a spiritual family, bound by a new covenant and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which should empower believers to resolve conflicts according to divine principles, not worldly ones. To take internal disputes to secular courts is to deny the sufficiency of Christ's wisdom within His body, to betray the unity of the Spirit, and to present a distorted, unappealing witness of the Gospel to a watching world. It implies that the church lacks the moral and spiritual resources to govern itself, thereby diminishing the glory of God. The pursuit of personal rights at the expense of communal harmony and the reputation of Christ is a profound theological misstep.

* [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 Considering Others")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Living Peaceably with All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 6:6 remain acutely relevant for believers and churches today. This passage challenges us to seriously examine how we handle disagreements and grievances within the Christian community. It calls us to prioritize reconciliation, forgiveness, and the preservation of unity over the assertion of individual rights or the pursuit of personal vindication through external, secular means. While there are legitimate circumstances where legal avenues are necessary (e.g., criminal matters, defending against false accusations, or issues involving non-believers where no internal church mechanism applies), Paul's primary admonition concerns civil disputes between believers that should ideally be settled within the spiritual family. This requires humility, a willingness to suffer wrong, and a deep commitment to the reputation of Christ above all else. It compels us to develop robust internal mechanisms for mediation, arbitration, and biblical conflict resolution, demonstrating to the world that the church is truly a distinct community, governed by divine wisdom and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my approach to personal grievances reflect on the reputation of Christ and the church?**
* **Am I willing to suffer a wrong or relinquish a right for the greater good of Christian unity and witness?**
* **What internal mechanisms does my church have for conflict resolution, and how effectively do we utilize them?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a spirit of humility and forgiveness that prioritizes reconciliation over retribution?**

### FAQ
**Does 1 Corinthians 6:6 mean Christians can never use secular courts for any reason?**

Answer: Not necessarily. Paul's primary concern in [1 Corinthians 6](/1_corinthians/6 "1 Corinthians 6 - Lawsuits Among Believers") is with civil disputes between believers that could and should be resolved within the Christian community, particularly those involving financial matters or personal grievances where one brother is seeking to gain advantage over another. He is highlighting the shame of taking such matters before "unbelievers," thereby discrediting the church. The passage does not explicitly address criminal matters (e.g., assault, fraud where the state is the aggrieved party), nor does it forbid Christians from defending themselves against false accusations or engaging with the legal system when it is the only recourse for justice against non-believers, or when it is for the protection of the vulnerable. The core principle is to avoid bringing internal Christian disputes before the world, which undermines Christian witness and unity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 6:6, while a sharp rebuke, ultimately points to the profound fulfillment found in Christ. The very reason Paul condemns believers for suing each other before unbelievers is that Christ Himself is the ultimate Judge and the perfect example of one who suffered wrong for the sake of others. Jesus, "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")), willingly endured injustice and crucifixion rather than asserting His divine rights. He is the one who "committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" ([1 Peter 2:22-23](/1_peter/2-22-23 "1 Peter 2:22-23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). Our call to internal reconciliation and willingness to suffer wrong is a direct reflection of Christ's own self-sacrificial love and humility. Furthermore, Christ, through His atoning work, has created a new community, the church, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers with wisdom and love to resolve conflicts, making external judgment unnecessary and a discredit to His name. The church, as the body of Christ, is meant to embody His righteousness and restorative power, demonstrating to the world the transforming reality of His reign, where true justice is tempered with mercy and unity.

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

2 Corinthians 6:14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

1 John 2:9

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1 John 2:11

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John 3:11

¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Philippians 2:14

¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Philippians 2:15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;