Bible Reading Challenge #12
1 Corinthians 6:1–8
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 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? ³ Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! ⁴ So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ⁶ but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? ⁷ To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸ But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!
What Does This Teach About God?
Though Paul is addressing a very practical issue in Corinth, this text reminds me that God is sovereign over all. He will judge the world. Justice is in His hands, and the unjust will receive their due sentence. The call here is to trust God’s justice rather than grasp for vengeance.
How Can I Live Differently?
Verse 7 stands out: “To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you.” The very fact that believers were taking each other to court—airing their disputes before unbelievers—was a tragedy for the church, which was meant to be known for love.
Let’s be honest: bickering in the church is still a problem. We may not argue over carpet colors, but we do carry broken relationships into Sunday gatherings. Frustrations, disappointments, and long-held resentments cloud our fellowship. Grudges are nursed, slander is spoken, and division quietly festers.
Today, I call you to repent of these things. If you have a grievance, handle it directly. That might mean confessing to God or to the person you’ve wronged. It might mean releasing a grudge you’ve been holding. It might simply mean choosing to think the best of someone instead of rushing to judgment.
Jesus said His disciples would be known by their love. May we be a people who forgive quickly, encourage freely, and celebrate one another often. In doing so, we display the love of Christ that holds the church together.
