1 Corinthians 6:1-3

Judging Matters Between Brethren

Jesus instructed his followers to go to the brother who sinned against them and tell him privately in the hope he would be restored. "But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17). The Corinthian brethren were ignoring the Lord's instruction. They had thereby placed the church in a bad light before unbelievers (1 Corinthians 6:1).

Christians will judge the world representatively through Christ, their head. Since they were already joined together with the Lord's mind (1 Corinthians 2:16), Paul reasoned, they should have been able to handle small problems among themselves. Paul even said Christians will judge angels representatively through Christ. Through Christ's instruction, therefore, brethren ought to be able to settle differences between themselves (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).