1 Corinthians 6:2
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Original Language Analysis
οἴδατε
Do ye
G1492
οἴδατε
Do ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἅγιοι
the saints
G40
ἅγιοι
the saints
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
5 of 19
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμος
the world
G2889
κόσμος
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
7 of 19
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμος
the world
G2889
κόσμος
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
15 of 19
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
Cross References
Matthew 19:28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.Luke 22:30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.Daniel 7:22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.Daniel 7:18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.Psalms 49:14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.1 Corinthians 6:4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.2 Corinthians 4:18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.Zechariah 14:5And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Historical Context
Jewish courts (beth din) handled internal disputes to avoid Roman entanglement. Paul assumes the church should function similarly as a distinct polis (political community) with its own jurisprudence. The Corinthians' reliance on secular courts showed they valued Roman citizenship over kingdom citizenship—ironic in a church obsessed with spiritual status (4:8: 'already you reign as kings!').
Questions for Reflection
- How does your future role in Christ's kingdom (judging the world and angels) reshape your view of present conflicts?
- What 'smallest matters' do you escalate because you've forgotten your eternal identity and authority?
- How can church leaders cultivate discernment so believers trust internal resolution over external litigation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? Paul grounds church discipline in eschatology. Krinō (κρίνω, 'judge') appears throughout verses 1-6—the saints' future role as co-judges with Christ (Matthew 19:28, Revelation 20:4) makes present incompetence absurd. If believers will adjudicate cosmic matters, are they really unworthy to judge the smallest matters (kritērion elachistōn, κριτήριον ἐλαχίστων)?
The logic is a fortiori: greater authority assumes lesser competence. Jewish apocalyptic tradition envisioned the righteous judging nations (Wisdom 3:8, Daniel 7:22); Paul applies this to church disputes. The Corinthians' failure reveals not lack of wisdom but refusal to embrace their identity—they're playing citizens of Corinth when they're already citizens of heaven.