1 Corinthians 6:6

6 But brother goes to court with brother, and this 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 Therefore, if you have courts with regard to ordinary matters, do you seat these despised [people] in the church?

5 I say [this] to your shame. So is there not anyone wise among you who will be able to render a decision between his brothers?

6 But brother goes to court with brother, and this before unbelievers!

7 Therefore it is already completely a loss for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

8 But you wrong and defraud, and [do] this [to] brothers!