1 Corinthians 6:4
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 6:4
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 6 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of judgment, love, holiness. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 6:4
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Analysis
If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. Paul's biting irony: even the least esteemed (exouthenēmenous, ἐξουθενημένους, 'despised, made of no account') in the church possess more competence than pagan judges for Christian disputes. This either means
- literal nobodies in the congregation surpass worldly judges, or
- Paul sarcastically mocks their status-obsession: 'Go ahead, appoint your despised ones—even they're better than Roman courts!'
The Greek syntax is ambiguous (imperative vs. rhetorical question), but the sting is clear: Corinthian Christians elevate external authority while demeaning internal wisdom. Biōtika (βιωτικά) reduces their lawsuits to trivialities—why involve unbelievers in what amounts to household squabbles?
Historical Context
Roman society was hyper-stratified: senators, equestrians, freedmen, slaves. Status anxiety consumed Corinthians (the nouveau riche of a Roman colony). Church members likely included wealthy patrons and poor laborers (1:26-29)—taking disputes to civil courts reinforced worldly hierarchies Paul seeks to demolish. In Christ, the 'least esteemed' might be apostles (4:9-13) or poor believers disrespected at the Lord's Supper (11:22).
Reflection
- Who in your church do you 'least esteem'—and how might God's wisdom speak through them in ways you're ignoring?
- How does seeking secular remedies for church conflicts reveal that you trust worldly power more than Christ's body?
- What would it look like for your congregation to develop robust internal processes for conflict resolution?
Cross-References
- Judgment: 1 Corinthians 5:12