1 Corinthians 6:4

Judgments; cases of difference to be settled.

Of things pertaining to this life; not requiring, therefore, for their settlement the possession of high spiritual gifts.

Set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church; no men who were least esteemed for integrity and intelligence in common things; but men who, not being endowed with those shining spiritual gifts so highly coveted by some-"all utterance, and all knowledge," chap 1 Corinthians 1:5 -were placed by their leaders in the lowest rank. See chap 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40. Such, according to our version, seems to be the meaning of this difficult passage. But two other renderings are proposed, which refer these words to the heathen magistrates: first, interrogatively, "Do ye set," etc. implying a stern rebuke; secondly, indicatively, "ye set," etc. The words would then be a simple statement of their wrong conduct, which the apostle proceeds, in the following verse, to censure.