61 How is it, that if any one of you has a cause at law against another, he takes it before a Gentile judge and not before the saints? 2 Is it not certain that the saints will be the judges of the world? if then the world will be judged by you, are you unable to give a decision about the smallest things? 3 Is it not certain that we are to be the judges of angels? how much more then of the things of this life? 4 If then there are questions to be judged in connection with the things of this life, why do you put them in the hands of those who have no position in the church? 5 I say this to put you to shame. Is there not among you one wise man who may be able to give a decision between his brothers? 6 But a brother who has a cause at law against another takes it before Gentile judges. 7 More than this, it is not to your credit to have causes at law with one another at all. Why not put up with wrong? why not undergo loss? 8 So far from doing this, you yourselves do wrong and take your brothers' property.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
(Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man's own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.