κριτήριον (kritērion)
kritērion
court/lawsuit
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kritērion refers to a standard or rule used for making judgments, but in the New Testament it specifically denotes a place or occasion where legal disputes are settled. It translates concepts like "court," "tribunal," or even the lawsuit itself as a matter being judged. This term appears only three times in the Greek Bible, creating a concentrated focus on how believers handle conflict.
In 1 Corinthians 6:2 and 6:4, Paul uses the word to describe the church’s role in judging internal disputes rather than taking them to secular courts. He argues that if the community is qualified to judge the world, it should certainly be able to resolve minor cases among itself. James 2:6 applies the same concept negatively, warning against showing partiality by favoring the rich in these legal settings.
The word derives from the root for "judge" or "ruler," emphasizing the authority and structure of a judicial setting. While it can mean a physical bench or tribunal, its theological weight lies in the responsibility to apply God’s standards fairly. Translators often render it as "court" or "lawsuit" to capture this sense of formal adjudication.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kritērion points to a court of law or a formal setting for settling disputes. In the New Testament, it highlights a serious tension: how do we handle conflict when it arises within our community? Paul reminds us that believers are called to possess the wisdom to resolve these matters among themselves, rather than immediately turning to secular legal systems. This reflects a deep trust in the spiritual maturity and unity of the church.
At the same time, James warns against the injustice that can occur in such settings. He notes how the powerful often drag the vulnerable into these courts, showing partiality and dishonoring those with less status. The term carries weight because it is not just about physical benches or gavel strikes; it is about fairness, integrity, and applying God’s standards of justice to our daily interactions.
When conflicts arise, this word invites us to consider who holds the authority to judge and how we treat one another in those moments. It challenges us to seek resolution with humility and care, ensuring that our community reflects the righteousness we claim to follow. May your heart be guided by wisdom and peace in every disagreement.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of cases1×
- judgment [as to]1×
- court?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κριτήρια;1×
- κριτήρια1×
- κριτηρίων1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 6:2
Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Paul uses this term to establish the church's high calling, arguing that saints will eventually judge the world and therefore should be capable of handling minor internal disputes.
-
I Corinthians 6:4
If then you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?
Here the word contrasts the spiritual authority of the assembly with the secular courts, urging believers not to outsource their conflicts to those outside the faith community.
-
James 2:6
But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you and personally drag you before the courts?
James employs the term negatively to expose how the wealthy exploit legal systems to oppress the poor, highlighting a failure of justice within these judicial settings.