1 Corinthians 6:4 Meaning: A Rebuke or a Command?
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?
If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?
of the things of life, indeed, then, if ye may have judgment, those despised in the assembly--these cause ye to sit;
If then ye have judgments as to things of this life, set those [to judge] who are little esteemed in the assembly.
Meaning in one sentence
Explore 1 Corinthians 6:4: Is Paul commanding believers to let the 'least esteemed' judge disputes, or rebuking them for using pagan courts?
Context
In this chapter, Paul confronts a problem that threatened the Corinthian church's witness: believers were taking each other to court before unbelievers. He reminds them that the saints are destined to judge the world and even angels. So why run to outsiders for trivial matters? Verse 4 sharpens the question. It can be read as a command to appoint the most humble members as judges, or as a rebuke for already appointing people of no account, likely the pagan judges. Either way, Paul is driving at one point: the church has everything it needs to settle its own disagreements. You don't need the world's courts to handle what belongs to God's family.
Key Words
The Greek word for 'things of this life' is biōtika. It points to everyday affairs, disputes over money, property, or broken agreements. Paul is not talking about spiritual truth or eternal matters. He is talking about the kind of arguments that can happen around any dinner table.
Then there is the participle exouthenēmenous, from a verb that means 'to despise utterly.' These are people who have been treated as nothing, counted out, looked down on. The word carries the sting of social rejection. And then the verb kathizete, 'to seat' as judges. This is the same root used for setting someone in a place of authority. Whether Paul is commanding or questioning, the verb places the church in the position of deciding who sits in judgment. The people the world despises, the church may seat at its own judgment table.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in two main ways. Some, like John Calvin, hear Paul directing the church to appoint even the humblest members to judge, because any believer is better than a pagan judge. Others, like Albert Barnes, read it as a sharp question: 'Do you actually set those of no account to judge?', referring to the pagan courts. Both interpretations agree on the main point: the church should handle its own disputes. The disagreement is whether the 'least esteemed' means lowly believers or the outsiders already being used. Both seek to apply Paul's pastoral heart for the church's integrity and witness.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers take this verse as a command to always use the least capable members to settle disputes, as if Paul wants the spiritually immature to decide important matters. In fact, Paul is using irony. He means that if even the most despised person could handle these trivial cases, surely the church has someone wise enough. His point cuts deeper: you are shaming yourselves by going to outsiders when you have no lack of internal resources.
Living This Out
This week, you might face a disagreement with a brother or sister in Christ, over money, a broken promise, or a misunderstanding. Before you look for a neutral outsider to decide who is right, consider asking a mature believer in your church to help you talk it through. It might feel awkward to share a private dispute. But Paul argues that the church has all the wisdom it needs, even in its quieter members. You don't need a judge from the world. You need someone who knows God and can speak truth in love. That person may be closer than you think.
Main takeaway: God's people are equipped to resolve their own conflicts; the world's judgment is not needed for the church's daily affairs.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you have a problem with a friend at church, you don't need to tell people who don't follow Jesus. God's family can help you fix it. Even the quietest person might have a good idea. God loves to help His children get along.
For ages 9, 12
In Paul's day, some Christians were taking their arguments to pagan courts instead of sorting things out among themselves. Paul said the church has everything it needs to handle disagreements. He even said that if you needed help, you could ask someone who seems unimportant in the world's eyes. Why? Because any believer has the Holy Spirit and can see things clearly. Next time you have a conflict with a friend, before you complain to outsiders, think about asking a wise Christian you trust. God has placed people in your life to help.
Questions People Ask
What does 'things pertaining to this life' mean in 1 Corinthians 6:4?
The Greek word is 'biōtika,' which refers to the ordinary affairs of daily living, disputes about money, property, or business. Paul uses this term to distinguish these everyday matters from the spiritual issues that should be handled by the church's leaders.
Is Paul commanding or rebuking in this verse?
The Greek verb 'kathizete' can be read as either a command ('set them to judge') or a question ('do you set them to judge?'). The context of the passage, with Paul's tone of shame and rebuke in verses 5-6, leans many scholars toward reading it as a sharp question. However, the command reading also has support. In either case, the main point is the same: the church should not need outside judges.
Who are the 'least esteemed' in this verse, the humble church members or the pagan judges?
Interpreters disagree. Some, like John Calvin, see it as a reference to lowly church members, arguing that even they are competent to judge. Others, like Albert Barnes, read it as a description of the pagan judges the Corinthians were already using. Both views agree that Paul is calling the church to handle its own disputes rather than run to the world.
Does 1 Corinthians 6:4 forbid all lawsuits between Christians?
The passage is specifically about believers suing believers before unbelieving judges. It does not address every type of legal action, such as criminal matters or cases involving outsiders. The principle is that when there is a dispute between believers, the church should have the wisdom and authority to resolve it without involving secular courts that do not share the church's values.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study