1 Corinthians 6:6

6 But brother goes to judgment against brother, and that before the 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 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set as judges the most humble who are in the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}.

5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brothers?

6 But brother goes to judgment against brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is certainly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather suffer the wrong? why do ye not rather be defrauded?

8 But ye do wrong and defraud and do this to your brothers.