61 Dare any one of you, having a matter with the other, go to be judged before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 have ye not known that the saints shall judge the world? and if by you the world is judged, are ye unworthy of the smaller judgments? 3 have ye not known that we shall judge messengers? why not then the things of life? 4 of the things of life, indeed, then, if ye may have judgment, those despised in the assembly—these cause ye to sit; 5 unto your shame I speak: so there is not among you one wise man, not even one, who shall be able to discern in the midst of his brethren! 6 but brother with brother doth go to be judged, and this before unbelievers! 7 Already, indeed, then, there is altogether a fault among you, that ye have judgments with one another; wherefore do ye not rather suffer injustice? wherefore be ye not rather defrauded? 8 but ye—ye do injustice, and ye defraud, and these—brethren!
9 have ye not known that the unrighteous the reign of God shall not inherit? be not led astray; neither whoremongers, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, the reign of God shall inherit.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-10
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.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
(Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
The Corinthians are warned against many great evils, of which they had formerly been guilty. There is much force in these inquiries, when we consider that they were addressed to a people puffed up with a fancy of their being above others in wisdom and knowledge. All unrighteousness is sin; all reigning sin, nay, every actual sin, committed with design, and not repented of, shuts out of the kingdom of heaven. Be not deceived. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that they may live in sin, yet die in Christ, and go to heaven. But we cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and reap everlasting life. They are reminded what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them. The blood of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can take away all guilt. Our justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the grace of God.