1 Corinthians 6:6

6 Instead, brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

1 Corinthians 6:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 6:6

But brother goeth to law with brother
The relation meant is spiritual; it was usual for members of churches to be called brethren, they professing to be born again of the same Father, and belonging to the same family under Christ, the son, firstborn, and master of it: and a very wicked and shameful thing it was, that persons in such a relation, being of such a family, should go to law with one another at all:

and that before the unbelievers;
which is an aggravation of their sin and folly. The apostle before calls them "unjust", now "infidels", such as had no faith in Christ, disbelieved the Messiah, and denied the whole Gospel, and therefore no faith or confidence should be put in them; for, generally speaking, such as have no faith, are not only wicked, but unreasonable men, men of no reason, conscience, justice, and equity; and therefore very improper persons for believers to bring their causes before.

1 Corinthians 6:6 In-Context

4 So if you have cases pertaining to this life, do you select those who have no standing in the church to judge?

5 I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who will be able to arbitrate between his brothers?

6 Instead, brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

7 Therefore, it is already a total defeat for you that you have lawsuits against one another. Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather be cheated?

8 Instead, you act unjustly and cheat-and this to brothers!