Page 12 - October 2024 - Truth & Tidings

Background Another description of the judges is in
As we continue to explore the use of verse 6: “unbelievers.” They may have
the word “church” in 1 Corinthians, we been exceptionally learned and extremely
proficient in the legal profession, but they
encounter an unusual phrase in chapter had not had the wisdom to see the validity
6:4: “them … who are least esteemed in the and benefits of the gospel of Christ. How
church.” It features in a section dealing could you expect people like that to make
1
with the incongruity of a believer raising a true assessment of any case?
a lawsuit against another saint. (Chapter
6 has two main subjects: litigation and Between these two descriptions of the
fornication). It appears that an aggrieved unsaved judges, there lies another: those
and defrauded believer had taken another “who are of no account in the church”
assembly member to court, and the whole (v4 RV). Most translations consulted have
sad business had been paraded in public verse 4 in the form of a question, asking,
to the disgrace of Christian testimony in in amazement almost, Do you set those
the city. Paul presents a strong argument to judge who have no standing, or are of
against such action. Even in introducing little account, in the church? Men at the
the subject, he indicates that to take a pinnacle of the legal profession may have
brother to law is reckless and daring: prestige in the community, but they carry
“Dare any of you …?” (v1). He then no weight in the assembly, and yet these
advances reasons as to why it is so were the kind of men who were being
inappropriate. asked to adjudicate on issues between
brethren in assembly fellowship. That
Unjust Judges seems a more understandable way to read
It would be slanderous to suggest that the verse rather than following the KJV
every unsaved judge can be bought, as if it was a command to appoint those
but Paul draws the contrast between who are least esteemed in the assembly as
unrighteous people and “saints” (v1), and adjudicators. It would be a bit humiliating
he is horrified to think that any believer for anyone to be told, “We want you to
would opt for an arbitrator who has never judge this issue because no one in the
been justified over someone who has been assembly thinks very much of you!” No,
set apart as a child of God. Generally, what people who are of no account in the church
a person is positionally is reflected in how are unsaved people generally, but in this
they behave practically, thus “he that context, unsaved judges.
doeth righteousness is righteous, even as Saints and Brothers
he is righteous” (1Jn 3:7), and, of course,
the converse would be true. Could they Another reason for avoiding the law
necessarily expect a righteous judgment courts is that believers themselves have
in a pagan courtroom? the capacity to arrive at a sound judgment
on any issue; in fact, “the saints shall judge
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV the world” (v2). The administration of
unless otherwise noted. the coming millennial kingdom will be

300 TRUTH kTidings October 2024