A STUDY OF 1 CORINTHIANS (Lesson Five, cont’d)
Going To Law Before The Heathen
1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (843-844)
Introduction
A. The apostle Paul presented another problem involving some of the Christians taking
one another to heathen courts over disputes.
B. Let’s focus on how Paul instructed the church to correct the matter and several
concluding remarks.
I. Paul instructed these Christians to stop taking their disputes to heathen courts.
V1
A. The officials of the Roman courts were unrighteous.
II. Paul instructed them to allow their disputes to be settled by other Christians. V1
A. Reasons: 1) Christians will judge the world and angels (Vv2-3). 2) Christians should
be able to apply godly principles to these small matters of dispute (Vv4-6)
III. Paul told them that it was a failure for them to go to a heathen court. V7
IV. Apparently some of the member were making false charges and Paul rebuked them. V8
( In verses 1-7 Paul addressed the plaintiff and 8-11 addressed the defendant)
A. “Do not be deceived”
1. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (see Vv9-11) so those who
were wrong needed to repent.
V. Concluding remarks.
A. If Christians have a dispute, they should settle it themselves. Matthew 18:15-17 (718)
1. The one wronged should go to the person and have a discussion. V15
2. If that fails he is to take one or two witnesses. V16
3. If this fails he is to report it to the church (local believers since church wasn’t
established) V17a
4. If this effort fails the guilty person should be disciplined. V17b
(This principle was given for honest members. Example:
B. Are there cases when a Christian can take someone to court today? Yes. (Now you must
be convicted yourself. 1) If you believe that a Christian should not, you have the liberty
to practice your belief. If you think it is necessary, you have that right.)
1. Examples: 1) Two or more members who belong to different congregations and can’t
agree on a spiritual authority. 2) A dispute between Christian and non-Christian and
the non-Christian won’t agree to church leader. 3) When the law must be involved.
Conclusion: A few comments for us who are members of this local church.
