Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 6:3
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation regarding their internal civil disputes. He confronts them with a rhetorical question about their future eschatological authority before they address trivial earthly cases.
The words — The Greek κρινοῦμεν (krinoumen) literally means "we will judge," directly governing ἀγγέλους (angelous) for "angels." The particle οὐκ (ouk) frames the statement as a negative rhetorical question expecting an affirmative response.
The thread — The text links this judgment authority to the saints judging the world in 1 Corinthians 6:2 and the appointment of judges for everyday matters in 1 Corinthians 6:4. The fate of rebellious angels appears in Jude 1:6, while the judgment of the wicked is noted in Matthew 25:41.
Why it lands — The text states that believers will judge angels and earthly matters, establishing their delegated authority. It requires readers to resolve mundane disputes within the church rather than outsourcing them to those without standing.
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
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Cross-references
- Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- 1 Corinthians 6:4 So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church?
- Luke 8:14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
- Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
- 2 Timothy 2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
- 2 Timothy 4:10 because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
- Psalms 17:14 from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.