1 Corinthians 6:5
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
shame
G4314
πρὸς
shame
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
1 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
λέγω
I speak
G3004
λέγω
I speak
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἐστὶν
that there
G2076
ἐστὶν
that there
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
7 of 20
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὃς
that
G3739
ὃς
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διακρῖναι
to judge
G1252
διακρῖναι
to judge
Strong's:
G1252
Word #:
15 of 20
to separate thoroughly, i.e., (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication,
ἀνὰ
between
G303
ἀνὰ
between
Strong's:
G303
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Corinth boasted philosophical schools, rhetoric teachers, and intellectual culture. The church absorbed this competitive sophistry—wisdom as social capital, not communal discernment. Paul earlier deconstructed worldly wisdom (1:18-25: the cross as foolishness). Now he shows the practical failure: their vaunted wisdom can't mediate a property dispute. Shame culture pervaded the ancient world—public exposure was devastating.
Questions for Reflection
- What reputation for wisdom or spirituality do you cultivate while failing at basic Christian practices like reconciliation?
- How can churches identify and equip wise mediators to settle disputes before they escalate?
- When has pride in your theological knowledge prevented you from pursuing humble peacemaking with a fellow believer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I speak to your shame. Pros entropēn hymin legō (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν λέγω)—Paul abandons subtlety. Entropē (ἐντροπή, 'shame') signals moral failure, not just error. His rhetorical questions pile up: Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? This devastates a church proud of sophia (σοφία, 'wisdom') (1:17-2:16). Not even one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (diakrinai ana meson tou adelphou autou, διακρῖναι ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ).
The irony scalds: they claim special gnōsis (knowledge), divide over favorite teachers (1:12, 3:4), boast of spiritual maturity—yet cannot find one wise mediator? Their 'wisdom' is performance without substance. True wisdom would preserve adelphos (ἀδελφός, 'brother') relationships, but they'd rather win lawsuits than maintain family bonds.