1 Corinthians 6:6 Meaning: When Brothers Drag Each Other to Court
But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?
but brother with brother doth go to be judged, and this before unbelievers!
But brother prosecutes his suit with brother, and that before unbelievers.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Paul say it's shameful for believers to sue each other before unbelievers? What this verse reveals about the church's identity.
Context
Paul is writing to a church in Corinth that has taken its internal conflicts to the local civil courts. The city was a busy port, filled with lawyers and commercial disputes. Christians there were not just settling small disagreements among themselves, they were hauling each other before pagan judges. Paul has just reminded them that the church is the community that will one day judge the world and angels. So his question cuts deep: if you will judge the whole cosmos, can you not even settle a property argument with a brother?
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the weight here. Adelphos (brother) is the same word the early church used constantly. It means more than a casual acquaintance, these are people who share a new family in Christ. Paul's shock is that brothers are fighting. Krinetai (goes to law) comes from the verb krinō, to judge or decide a dispute. But in this context it means dragging someone to a formal court, not just a private talk. And apistōn (unbelievers) uses the same root as pistis, faith. These are people who have no trust in God, and Paul points out the scandal of airing the family's dirty laundry in front of them.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across the traditions hear the same note of grief and rebuke. Adam Clarke (Methodist) calls it 'almost as great a scandal as can exist in a Christian society.' Matthew Henry (Reformed) says Paul blames all 'vexatious lawsuits' when believers could have settled by church counsel. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) observes that going before unbelievers added 'idolatrous practices' like swearing by pagan gods. Gill (Baptist) calls the unbelievers 'unreasonable men' unfit to judge believers. All agree: the problem is not law itself, but the public spectacle of Christians unable to resolve their own conflicts.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this as Paul forbidding Christians from ever going to court for any reason. In fact, the issue is specifically believers suing believers before unbelievers. Paul doesn't address lawsuits with outsiders here, and elsewhere Christians are told to respect governing authorities. The scandal is not courtrooms in general, but brothers refusing to let the church help them settle a dispute and instead dragging their family's name before those who don't share their faith.
Living This Out
Think of a conflict you have with another believer right now, maybe in your church, your small group, or your family. Before you call a lawyer or post about it publicly, ask: is there a wise, trusted Christian who could help you talk this through? And if the answer is no, ask an even harder question: would I rather be wronged than damage the name of Christ in front of people who don't yet believe?
Main takeaway: The church belongs together so closely that its members should resolve their own conflicts rather than advertise them to a watching world.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When two brothers or sisters in Jesus have a problem, they should ask a grown-up in church to help, instead of telling people who don't know Jesus. God wants His family to love each other.
For ages 9, 12
Imagine two kids on a team who start arguing in front of the other team's fans. It makes the whole team look bad. That is what Paul is saying: when Christians take other Christians to court in front of people who don't believe in Jesus, it hurts the witness of the whole church. Instead, the church should have wise people who can help settle arguments fairly.
Questions People Ask
Does 1 Corinthians 6:6 forbid Christians from ever going to court?
The verse addresses believers suing other believers in secular courts. Paul is not forbidding all lawsuits, but he is saying that Christians should not air internal disputes before unbelievers. The church should have its own way to settle disagreements, or sometimes believers should simply accept being wronged.
Why does Paul call it shameful to go to law before unbelievers?
Because it damages the church's witness. When outsiders see Christians fighting in court, it looks like they have no love or wisdom to solve problems among themselves. Paul also notes that pagan courts often involved oaths to idols or other practices that could compromise faith.
What does 'brother' mean in this verse?
It means a fellow believer in Christ, someone who shares the same spiritual family. Paul emphasizes the relationship to highlight how wrong it is to drag a family member before outsiders instead of working things out within the family of God.
Does the Bible ever allow Christians to take legal action?
Yes, but with caution. Paul himself appealed to Roman law when facing injustice (Acts 25:10-11). The issue in 1 Corinthians 6 is believers suing believers. Christians are encouraged to seek arbitration within the church or even accept loss rather than harm the gospel's reputation.
What does it mean that 'the saints will judge the world' (v.2)?
Paul is reminding the Corinthians of their future role in God's final judgment. If they one day will judge the entire world, even angels, then surely they can manage small disputes in the present. This shows how far below their calling it is to drag a brother before an unbelieving judge.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study