1 Corinthians 6:7

Ἤδη μὲν οὖν, “Indeed then, to begin with”: on ἤδη (already, i.e. before litigation), see note to 1 Corinthians 4:8. μὲν here, otherwise than in 1 Corinthians 6:4. suggests a suppressed δέ : “but ye aggravate matters by going before the heathen” (Lt [941]). ὅλως (see 1 Corinthians 5:1) ἥττημα (cl [942] ἥττα): “it is absolutely a failure on your part” not a mere defect, nor a loss (sc. of the Messianic glory: so Mr [943], in view of 9), but a moral defeat (see parls.). Ἡττάομαι (see Lidd [944], s. v., I. 3) signifies to be worsted, beaten in a suit (Lat. causa cadere); this sense excellently suits the context and Paul's epigrammatic style: “Indeed then it is already an unmistakable defeat for you that you have law-suits” you are beaten before you enter court, by the mere fact that such quarrels arise and reach this pitch. κρίμα is the πρᾶγμα (1 Corinthians 6:1) ripened into an actual case at law. μεθʼ ἑαυτῶν, for μετʼ ἀλλήλων, implies intestine strife; the 3rd pl [945] reflexive pron [946] frequently serves all three persons (Jelf's Gr [947] Gram., § 654, 2 b). ἀδικεῖσθε, ἀποστερεῖσθε, mid [948] voice: “injuriam accipitis, fraudem patimini” (Vg [949]) “Why do you not rather submit to wrong, to robbery?” (see Wr [950], p. 218). Paul reproduces the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6:27 ff., etc., which applies more strictly as the relationships of life are closer; cf. His own example (1 Peter 2:23), and that of the Ap. (1 Corinthians 4:12 f., 1 Corinthians 4:16). οὐχὶ μᾶλλον, as in 1 Corinthians 5:2.

[941] J. B. Lightfoot's (posthumous) Notes on Epp. of St. Paul (1895).

[942] classical.

[943] Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary (Eng. Trans.).

[944]idd. Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon.

[945] plural.

[946]ron. pronoun.

[947] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[948] middle voice.

[949] Latin Vulgate Translation.

[950] Winer-Moulton's Grammar of N.T. Greek (8th ed., 1877).