Puzzled about Solving Disputes with other Believers?
1 Corinthians 6:1-6
Part of 1 Corinthians—Sorting Out a Puzzled Church
September 17, 2023

1 Corinthians 6:1-6

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!


People have with other people.

Christian people should disputes with other Christians.

It is to let non-Christians judge .

  • It is wrong as a

    (v. 1b)

  • It is wrong because Christians should be

    people (vv. 2-3).

    “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” —Matthew 19:28

    “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.” —Daniel 7:21-22

    V. 22 could be translated: “until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was given TO the saints of the Most High…”

  • It is wrong because seeks a

    decision from people (v. 5).

  • It is wrong because it

    Christ to non-Christians (v. 6).

Instead, we should decide disputes with other Christians (v. 4b-5).

Settle disputes with other Christians in a Christ-like way.

Search your heart, then to the believer about the problem.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” —Matthew 7:3-5

Leviticus 19:17-18: “17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. 18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.’”

Settle your problems by asking for from Christlike believers.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” —Matthew 18:15-17

Settle your problems by asking for a from the church (v. 1c).