Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 6:1
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers regarding internal legal disputes over property or contracts. He confronts the specific moment when members of the church are filing lawsuits against one another in secular courts.
The words — The Greek verb τολμᾷ (tolma) literally means "dare," marking the audacity of the action. The noun πρᾶγμα (pragma) translates to "a matter" or "case," denoting the specific legal grievance being litigated.
The thread — The tension between internal resolution and civil litigation appears in Matthew 18:15, which commands private confrontation, and Acts 19:38, which notes the open availability of proconsuls. Paul later grounds the expectation of orderly conduct in 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Why it lands — The text states that believers must bring disputes before the saints rather than unrighteous secular authorities. It requires readers to align their legal conduct with their shared identity and the future judicial role described in the surrounding context.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Cross-references
- Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- Acts 19:38 So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
- Acts 18:14 But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
- 1 Corinthians 6:6 Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!
- 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
- 1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,