1 Corinthians 6:1-8 is the New Testament's direct address to the question of Christian lawsuits. Paul's rebuke of the Corinthian believers for suing each other in pagan courts is sharp, and the underlying theology is large — saints will judge the world, the church has competence to settle disputes internally, and 'why not rather suffer wrong?' This study walks the full exegesis, the Matthew 18 process Jesus already gave, the three legitimate categories of legal action, and a six-question framework before filing.
1 Corinthians 6:1-8 in full
'When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud — even your own brothers!'
The Greek vocabulary
Krima (κρῖμα) — a lawsuit, a judgment, a legal case. Adikōn (ἀδίκων) — the 'unrighteous,' Paul's word for the pagan civil court system, not a moral slur on the judges as individuals but a covenantal description of those outside the church. Hēttēma (ἥττημα, v.7) — 'defeat, loss' — Paul's verdict on the very existence of the lawsuits, before any consideration of who is right.
The rhetorical structure is striking. Paul asks seven incredulous questions in six verses. The shock is not legal but eschatological: the saints will judge the world (1 Cor 6:2) and angels (6:3) in the age to come — surely they can settle present disputes internally.
The Matthew 18 process Jesus already gave
Matthew 18:15-17 is the prior text Paul is assuming. Jesus' four-step process: (1) go to the brother privately; (2) if he refuses, take one or two more; (3) if he still refuses, tell it to the church; (4) if he still refuses, treat him as a Gentile and a tax collector. The church is the designated court of first instance for disputes between believers. Paul's rebuke in 1 Cor 6 is that the Corinthians are skipping the entire Matt 18 process and running directly to Roman civil courts.
Three categories of lawsuit
- Believer vs. believer. 1 Cor 6:1-8 addresses this directly. Paul's instruction is unambiguous: do not take a Christian brother or sister to court before pursuing Matthew 18 to its end and the internal church process to its end. 'Why not rather suffer wrong?' (v.7) is the structural disposition.
- Believer vs. unbeliever. The text does not directly address this. Paul himself appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11) — a legitimate use of civil legal process against unjust state action. Paul did not sue Demas (2 Tim 4:10) for desertion. The pattern: use legitimate civil processes where necessary (defense, criminal complaints, contract enforcement against businesses), but Romans 12:17-21 and the broader call to overcome evil with good frames even these cases.
- Defensive lawsuits. If you are sued, you are not the initiator. Defending yourself is not 1 Corinthians 6 in view. Paul defends himself before Felix and Festus (Acts 24, 25). Engaging legal counsel for legitimate defense is consistent with Scripture.
The Old Testament background
Exodus 18:13-26 establishes a tiered judicial system in Israel — Moses, rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 commands the appointment of judges in every town. The OT pattern is internal-community resolution at the lowest possible level. Jesus' Matt 18 process and Paul's 1 Cor 6 rebuke both inherit this assumption: disputes between covenant people are settled inside the covenant community first.
Six diagnostic questions before filing
- Have you fully executed Matthew 18? Private conversation, then with witnesses, then before the church. Skipping any step disqualifies the next.
- Would 'rather suffer wrong' (1 Cor 6:7) be more honoring to Christ than winning the case? Paul's question is the default frame.
- Is the other party a believer? If yes, 1 Cor 6:1-8 binds you to the church's internal process before any civil filing.
- Is this initiation or defense? Initiating against a brother is the prohibited category. Defending yourself is not.
- Have you sought mediation through the church or a Christian mediation ministry? Resources exist (Peacemaker Ministries, ICC's Institute for Christian Conciliation).
- Will winning hurt the reputation of the church? 1 Cor 6:6 — 'before unbelievers' — names the public witness as part of Paul's concern.
Continue your study
Continue with our surety in the Bible, what does the Bible say about loaning money, biblical money mindset, biblical tithing guide.
All Scripture quotations from the English Standard Version.