1 Corinthians 6:3

3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters?

1 Corinthians 6:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 6:3

Know ye not that we shall judge angels
Meaning not the ministers of the Gospel, and pastors of churches, called "angels", ( Revelation 1:20 ) whose doctrines are examined, tried, and judged by the saints, according to the word of God; nor the good angels, who, were it possible that they could, or should publish a Gospel contrary to what has been preached by the apostle, would be contradicted, condemned, and accursed by him, see ( Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:9 ) but the evil angels, the devil and his angels: and this is to be understood not of their future final judgment and condemnation at the last day, when saints will subscribe unto, and approve of the sentence pronounced upon them, and will triumph over them in their destruction; but of the judgment of them, and of their ejection out of the Gentile world, out of their oracles, idols, and idol temples, to which Christ refers, ( John 12:31 ) and calls the judgment of this world, and the casting out of the prince of it by the ministry of his apostles; and which was now already begun, and ere long would be fully accomplished: accordingly the Syriac version renders it, "know ye not (Nnynyd akalmld) , that we are about to judge angels?" and the Arabic, "know ye not that we judge angels?" from whence the apostle infers very justly,

how much more things that pertain to this life?
this animal life; to the trade and business of life; to pecuniary matters, to estates and possessions in this world, about which differences may arise between one saint and another.

1 Corinthians 6:3 In-Context

1 When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints?
2 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?
3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters?
4 If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church?
5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.