1 Corinthians 6:4

judgments domes, Wiclif. See note on 1 Corinthians 6:2. The meaning (2) seems the only admissible one here, inasmuch as Christians were not likely as yet to possess secular tribunals or to hold secular trialsin the technical sense of the word. Secular causesthey had, and as we see, they carried them before the heathen courts.

set them to judge This passage may be taken in three ways. (1) as in our version, imperatively, set them to judge, i.e. the matter is so trivial that any person, even the most contemptible for his understanding in the Church, is quite fit to undertake the settlement of it. Or, (2) indicative, ye are setting, as though it were the heathen who were the most despised in the Church. Or (3) as a question, Is it your custom to setsuch persons to settle such matters? much less then should you bring them before the heathen, who in points of moral perception are infinitely below the least esteemed members of the Christian Church. Of these (1) is preferable as falling in best with the context: while (2) is open to the objection that it was not the custom of Christ or His Apostles to represent one's fellow-men, even though they were heathen, as fit objects of contempt.

least esteemed Literally, thought nothing of.