1 Corinthian (Class Version)

Chapter 6

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord's people?

2 Or do you not know that the Lord's people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?

3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?

5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?

6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.

What is the issue that Paul is addressing in this segment?

The Believers were taking each other to court and suing each other

What does Paul mean when he says that we will judge the world and we will judge angels? Why does he say that?

He's talking about our destiny – somehow the Saints of God will fulfill the roles of judge and rulers during the millennial reign (a 1000 year period of time when Satan is bound and Jesus is reigning on earth as king – this comes after most of the things described in the book of Revelation) Also, somehow we will take part in the judgment upon the fallen angels. The reason why Paul brings this up is because he wants them to start doing some judging amongst themselves in order to settle their own disputes within the Body of Christ and without a secular court

Why does Paul hate it that these Christians were taking each other to court?

One, because it caused greater divisions amongst them – and two, because it was a terrible witness to the unbelievers

What did the lawsuits represent about these Christians?

That they were totally defeated – it represented their lack of unity, and even the unbelievers were able to observe this

What does Paul challenge them to do?

To be wronged – to allow someone to do something wrong against them. In other words, allow someone to falsely accuse you instead of going to court to try to prove your innocence. The Corinthians were doing the opposite of this to each other. The Body of Christ should be building itself up, but this Body was tearing itself down – and many others have followed this example ever since

Is it fair to just be "wronged"?

No – and it would be incredibly difficult to do – but the point is that Believers would trust God with these types of situations instead of trying to solving things on our own in a way that brings shame upon the name of the Lord and His Church. Often times I want to be vindicated (proven to be right) instead of just letting it go and allowing people to think whatever they want about me

9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men

10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

12 "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

13 You say, "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both." The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."

17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Who will not inherit the kingdom of God?

The wicked

Can a person be in Christ and have an identity that is wicked at the same time?

No – in Christ we are as righteous as he is

Can a person be in Christ and perform wickedly?

Yes – it is common

The Corinthians were involved in some (if not all) of the examples that Paul gives in v.9-10 but notice, Paul does not say that they are wicked.

Instead what does he say about them?

He says that this is what they were, this was their identity before but since they have trusted Christ they have been washed, they have been sanctified, and they have been justified. Paul never condemns them for their wicked performance instead he reminds them of who they really are.

Why would he do this?

Because what we believe about ourselves will determine how we live

If we believe that we are rotten sinners we will live like rotten sinners but if we believe that we have been wash, sanctified, and justified it is going to affect the way we live. The Lord wants us to know that the wicked lifestyle is not our purpose – instead we have a much greater purpose: to live out who we are in Christ.

After saying this Paul knows what they will think, so he quotes them?

"Everything is permissible for me" & "food for the stomach and the stomach for food" these were obviously popular sayings amongst the Corinthians

Are these sayings true?

Yes and no which is why Paul does not completely refute them. For example: they say, "Everything is permissible for me", and Paul responds by saying, "yes, but not everything is beneficial". It is true that everything is permissible and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ but not everything is beneficial. Sin is no longer our purpose God has a greater purpose for us. Sin is no longer our master, Christ is now our master. It's true that food is for the stomach (for eating), and stomach is for food, but Paul wants them to realize that God is judge over both so that they would recognize a real accountability to the Lord. In other words, He is above everything, so acknowledge Him in everything

With this in mind, what is the body meant for?

The body is meant for the Lord, and not for sexual immorality. Paul wants the believer to know that the way they live in the body is important. He wants them to know that they are one with Christ, thus, the way they act while living in the body should demonstrate this truth.

Paul gives three reasons why every believer should flee sexual immorality:

1. We are one with Christ in spirit, therefore, what we do with our bodies should demonstrate this unity with Jesus

2. Sexual immorality is a sin against our own bodies, where the Holy Spirit lives

3. God owns us – He purchased us with His blood – therefore, we should use our bodies to honor him