1 Corinthians 6:6

6 but brother goes to law with 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 If therefore you have things belonging to this life which need to be decided, is it men who are absolutely nothing in the Church--is it *they* whom you make your judges?

5 I say this to put you to shame. Has it come to this, that there does not exist among you a single wise man competent to decide between a man and his brother,

6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

7 To say no more, then, it is altogether a defect in you that you have law-suits with one another. Why not rather endure injustice? Why not rather submit to being defrauded?

8 On the contrary you yourselves inflict injustice and fraud, and upon brethren too.