Bible Discussion Thread

Of the churches I've attended they never had a court or an official structure to settle disputes within the church body, but after reading 1 Cor 6 I wonder if that's what it means. Paul emphasizes how we should be separate from the world's way of doing things, that believers will even judge angels so surely we can handle our own petty disputes.

Disputes I've had in the past haven't been with members of my specific church, however, so I wonder if it implies some kind of inter-church cooperative dispute resolution service or if it just means within one church location. Does anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

(part 2):

And so he says isn't there any wise men among you that can decide what's right and what's wrong, and make those kinds of decisions?



So I think that it is interesting that Paul says to set somebody up, and it doesn't have to be somebody that's educated. He says to take the person that is least esteemed in the church because the right and the wrong is pretty simple!



So he says you're at fault. You're a failure there in your dealings. First of all you are defrauding one another, and if your brother does defraud you, you think you got to take him to court because nobody's going to do anything about it.



Just let it go, because we are talking about a Christian with another Christian coming in front of non-believers and letting non-believers judge between God's people. They don't even have the Spirit of God!

Hope this helps?

God bless!!!

Thank you for your analysis, Jesse, and Bible references.

It sounds like the context of Paul's writing was people defrauding each other, which seems fairly serious to me.

This only prompted from reading and noticing the suggestion to let the church settle a dispute and why I've never heard of churches announcing that they offer this.

But the lack of church involvement seems to leave most people wronged with the only option to settle disputes with possible non-Christians if they seek legal justice. (or are we to turn the other cheek in all situations?)

In a country like the USA most identify as Christian, but no one really knows how much they actually practice that- ranging from not at all your whole life to being a lead church pastor. It seems in a general courtroom setting of strangers I don't see it automatically being a negative to Christianity, because I don't think its even legal to ask someone's religion in court due to anti-discrimination laws, and the judge and people there (if in the USA) are more likely to be Christian than non-Christian, and its not talked about anyway. Wondering if the difference of context in Paul's time vs today in some places makes a difference in how we should follow what is written.

People also don't kiss each other on the cheek like Paul says to do, so is that sin or cultural difference we need to apply to all of the Word?

As for the cheek kissing , I personally think it's lovely , however I can imagine that it could cause problems . Imagine how long it would take you to kiss every member of your congregation on a Sunday ! I would have to get to church an hour early ! Also , we would have to be very conscientious about making sure that we kissed everyone , otherwise this could cause hurt feelings and jealousies as we are all only very much human . It would have to be an all or none situation I think and then , would it be genuine ? If you are only kissing one person out of duty , so they don't feel left out , that's not an honest kiss of affection or respect is it ? Then the whole thing could become a duty or even a chore ! What a can of worms to open ! How complex things become when human feelings get involved :) Best keep our lips to ourselves I think , unless you are a member of a very small congregation :) .

Adam,

You are very welcome! I agree. They were defrauding each other, and Paul admonished them for it. Church today is run so much different than it was in Paul's day. Today, it seems as though church fellowships do not want "stir the pot" and are more concerned about losing members than following instruction set forth in scripture.

The believers in Corinth were taking each other to court before a non-believing judge to judge matters that should have been handled between themselves. Paul corrected them for that.

Should we "turn the other cheek" in all situations? I think that's something we would have to settle in our own hearts, consulting with the Lord of course!

Personally, I would not sue another believer. I know it's easier said than done, but I don't believe that is something I would do. But I agree with you completely that there is a lack of church involvement in such matters.

I wonder also about the precepts of sin against a brother that is given to us in Matthew 18:15-20. How many church fellowships today follow that model?

As for the kissing on the cheek as Paul told them to do, that was their normal way of greeting each other at that time. In fact, they still greet each other that way in the Middle East. If you ever watch news clips of dignitaries greeting each other in the Middle East, they still kiss on each cheek. I don't think there would be anything wrong with us doing the same. We might get some funny looks (or slapped), but that's the way they greet each other in the Middle East and did so in Paul's day. It would be equivalent to our handshake or hug when we greet someone.

God Bless!!!

Hi Adam , if you don't mind me giving my opinion ? I think we are to suffer the wrongdoing in silence , 1st Corinthians Ch 6 V 7 seems pretty clear to me . Matthew Ch 5 V 38-48 also gives guidance , also Mark Ch 12 V 17-22 , Luke Ch 6 V 20-38 , Luke Ch 12 V 1-34 especially V 13-15 . Paul gives us much good advice in practical matters in his letters but , more important is the spiritual guidance that Christ gives us , especially concerning our attitude towards worldly possessions . We are not to put too much importance on worldly things . In my mind I own absolutely nothing , if someone were to ask me for anything I have in my home I would give it to them without question . I've even given things to people who haven't even asked but I've known they have lacked something , a winter coat , a piece of furniture etc . I think it's really important for Christians to get this kind of thing right , it's a fundamental attitude that needs to be in our hearts 100 per cent , the things of this life are nothing to us , anything that we value more than the Truth is in fact an idol in our hearts . Obviously if a brother or sister defrauds us or steals from us then for their sake , not for ours , they must be warned that they have sinned and need to repent , but we ourselves should let the incident go , along with whatever has been taken from us , whatever it was it wasn't really ours in the first place was it ? Freely ye have received , freely give . I think this should be our attitude in all matters .

Hello, Adam,

I can share a little on this. Chapter 6 deals with the morality of the gospel. The first four verses are probably the ones in question.

Verses 1-3 deal with the prosecution of believers. Paul also gives an admonition.

1 Corinthians 6:4 is the instruction. He says, If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.



This Greek word Exoutheneo has to do with the same word that we see in Romans 14:1 about let the older brother not despise the younger, or make light of.



This is a person that people don't take too seriously. And I think it's interesting that Paul is saying this on purpose because it's not a matter of picking out people in your midst who have all the education and experience, and to judge these matters because obviously they can't do it impartially. Take the person that God can use!



So he says to take the person that's least esteemed in the church. Of course that might not glorify you if someone comes up to you and says "that's you!"

We see the condition in Verse 7. Now therefore there is utterly a fault, and this is literally the word failure, among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take the wrong? Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

And then in Verse 8, it says no, but you do the wrong, and you defraud, and that to your brothers.



He's talking about Christians doing this to each other, not from the outside, but to each other. Christians are doing wrong in justice. They are defrauding. They're cheating their brother.



And so the brother who is wronged, he files a legal action against his brother. With all the educated and all the well to do people in the congregation, everybody has their sides you see. You can't find too many people that are impartial.

I need a part 2.