lawsuits between believers

1 Corinthians 6:1–6 (NIV) — 1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

The Corinthian believers were also taking each other to court. The Greek tendency to sue is comparable to our American tendency to sue. While there was nothing illegal about this, Paul sees great problems in doing so, primarily as a witness to outsiders.

Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? Do you not know that we will judge angels? This will occur at the end of time. What do you think that will look like? How will we judge the world or angels, and what basis will our judgement be? We know that Christ will judge the world, will we be judging at the same time, perhaps as part of his judgement?

Do you feel confident to judge the world or angels? In what areas do you need to grow so that you will be competition to do that?

Paul obviously thinks that any lawsuits should be settled among believers rather than going to court. If you had a dispute with a believer would you be willing to let the church arbitrate over that issue? If you were called on, would you be willing to be an arbitrator?