### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma κριτήριον (kritḗrion), Strong's `{{G2922}}`, is a neuter noun derived from a presumed root related to κριτής (kritēs), meaning "judge." Its fundamental meaning encompasses a "rule of judging" or a "standard by which one judges," hence the English "criterion." By extension and implication, it also refers to the "place of judgment" or a "tribunal," functioning as a "judgment seat." This dual semantic range—both the *standard* and the *place* of judgment—is crucial for understanding its biblical usage. It denotes the authoritative basis for making a decision, as well as the forum where such decisions are rendered.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κριτήριον appears three times in the New Testament, exclusively in the plural form κριτήρια.
1. **[[1 Corinthians 6:2]]**: "Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?" Here, κριτήρια refers to "trivial cases" or "matters of judgment." Paul is rebuking the Corinthian believers for taking their internal disputes to pagan courts rather than resolving them within the community. The term highlights the *matters* or *disputes* that require judgment, implying that the church should possess the discernment to handle even the smallest of these.
2. **[[1 Corinthians 6:4]]**: "So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who are least esteemed by the church?" Again, in the plural, referring to "cases" or "matters for judgment." The context remains the same: internal disputes among believers. Paul emphasizes that the church itself should possess the wisdom and authority to handle these "matters of judgment" rather than resorting to external, ungodly authorities.
3. **[[James 2:6]]**: "But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?" Here, κριτήρια clearly signifies "courts" or "tribunals." James condemns the rich who exploit the poor and drag them into legal proceedings, which are often rigged against the disadvantaged. This usage emphasizes the *place* or *forum* of judgment, highlighting the injustice prevalent in worldly systems.
In all instances, κριτήριον (or its plural) points to a context of legal or judicial proceedings, whether internal to the church or external in society.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term κριτήριον is etymologically and semantically linked to a family of words centered around judgment:
* **κριτής (kritēs)**, `{{G2923}}`: "judge." This is the direct root from which κριτήριον is presumed to derive. The judge is the one who applies the criterion and presides over the tribunal.
* **κρίνω (krinō)**, `{{G2919}}`: "to judge, decide, determine, condemn." This verb is the action implied by κριτήριον. Whether it's a "standard for judging" or a "place of judgment," the act of judging is central.
* **κρίμα (krima)**, `{{G2917}}`: "judgment, decision, condemnation." This noun often refers to the outcome or result of judging. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul uses κρίμα in relation to the legal disputes among believers.
* **κρίσις (krisis)**, `{{G2920}}`: "judgment, decision, crisis, condemnation, divine judgment." This term often carries a broader or more eschatological sense of judgment, particularly God's ultimate judgment.
These terms collectively form a robust semantic field in the New Testament concerning justice, legal proceedings, discernment, and divine retribution. The concept of a "criterion" implies a standard of righteousness or truth against which actions, beliefs, or disputes are measured. The "tribunal" signifies the authority and structure for applying that standard.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κριτήριον is multifaceted.
Firstly, in 1 Corinthians, its usage highlights the **internal judicial authority and responsibility of the church**. Paul's rebuke implies that the Christian community, empowered by the Spirit and possessing divine wisdom, ought to be capable of resolving its own disputes. This speaks to the church's maturity and its role as a distinct, holy society governed by divine principles, not worldly standards. The "trivial cases" (κριτήρια ἐλαχίστων) that believers should be able to judge internally prefigure their future role in judging the world, underscoring the spiritual competence and ethical demands placed upon the saints. This suggests an inherent "criterion" or standard of justice within the Christian ethos that surpasses secular legal systems.
Secondly, in James, the use of κριτήρια for "courts" exposes the **corruption and injustice prevalent in worldly legal systems**, particularly how they can be manipulated by the wealthy to oppress the poor. This serves as a stark contrast to the divine standard of justice that should characterize the people of God. It underscores the biblical emphasis on advocating for the vulnerable and upholding righteousness, even when societal structures fail to do so. The "criterion" of true faith, according to James, is not partiality but love and mercy, which should inform all judgments.
In essence, κριτήριον points to the need for a **divine standard of judgment** and the appropriate **forum for its application**. For believers, this means discerning and applying God's righteous principles within their community, living out a counter-cultural ethic of justice and reconciliation. It challenges believers to consider by what "criterion" they live and judge, and where they seek resolution for their disputes.
### Summary
The Greek term κριτήριον (`{{G2922}}`) encompasses both a "rule or standard of judging" (a criterion) and, by extension, a "place of judgment" or "tribunal." Its New Testament occurrences in [[1 Corinthians 6:2]], [[1 Corinthians 6:4]], and [[James 2:6]] illustrate these two aspects. In 1 Corinthians, Paul uses the plural "κριτήρια" to refer to the "matters" or "cases" of judgment that believers should resolve internally, emphasizing the church's intrinsic capacity and responsibility to apply divine standards of justice. In James, "κριτήρια" denotes external "courts" where the rich oppress the poor, highlighting the disparity between human legal systems and God's righteous judgment. The word thus underscores the theological imperative for believers to live by God's criteria, to administer justice within their community, and to stand against the injustices of the world, recognizing that true judgment emanates from divine wisdom and love.
TRV