Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 6:4
So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding their unresolved civil disputes. He confronts them at the moment they are considering appointing unqualified members to arbitrate their everyday conflicts.
The words — ἐξουθενημένους (exouthemenous) denotes those who are despised or held in low esteem. βιωτικά (biōtika) refers to matters pertaining to everyday life or ordinary affairs.
The thread — The principle of internal adjudication appears in 1 Corinthians 5:12, which distinguishes judging those inside the church from those outside. The directive to delegate practical disputes to capable leaders aligns with Acts 6:2, where the Twelve instruct disciples to manage communal needs.
Why it lands — The text states that believers should not appoint despised or unqualified individuals to judge their ordinary disputes. It requires readers to resolve internal conflicts using the church's own wise members rather than resorting to outsiders or those lacking spiritual 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
If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 5:12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
- Acts 6:2 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.