Believers Before the Bench

Should a believer take another believer to court? Should a believer initiate a lawsuit against another believer to regain that which his brother owes him? These are relevant questions in today’s world. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Paul answers that a believer should not take another believer to court; instead, they should appear before the church. We will look at Paul’s response to a specific problem in Corinth (6:1-6), Paul’s rebuke concerning this problem (6:7-8), and Paul’s reminder because of this problem (6:9-11). We will also address the significance of this passage for our present time.

Before looking at the meaning of this passage, let us begin with these premises: the Corinthians are members of a redeemed community, which means that their behavior within the community should reflect their transformed nature. They are also members of an eschatological community, which means that their future destination should also affect their present behavior within the community.

Paul’s Response to the Problem (6:1-6)
A believer has a grievance against his brother and is taking the case before the civil magistrates (vs. 1). Paul is amazed and upset that this believer has done this to a brother; Paul rebukes the church for failing to resolve this problem. He makes his point with several rhetorical questions: Are not believers going to judge something as great as the world (vs.2) and angels (vs.3) someday? Are they not competent then to judge a case as trivial as the one Paul mentions?

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Opportunity Corner - Spring 2007

Master's Modules

May 14-15, 2007
  PT700 Principles of Biblical Leadership
  PT506 Personal Evangelism
May 29 - June 8, 2007
  TH602 Church and Baptist Distinctives
  PT801 The Art of Discipling
June 25 - July 6, 2007
  MI813 Exegeting the Culture for Ministry Communication
July 9-20, 2007
  BI607 Exposition of Ephesians

Doctor of Ministry Modules

June 11-15, 2007
  D864 Mobilizing a Church to Reach Its Community
June 18-22, 2007
  D832 Advanced Seminar in Biblical Counseling

Doctor of Philosophy Modules

June 11-15, 2007
  OT-5 Old Testament History & the Ancient Near East
June 18-22, 2007
  TH-10 Studies in Bible & Science Issues

Internet Courses
Summer 2007 Master's Modules
  MI815 World Ministry and the Local Church

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April 3, 2007
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