1 Corinthians 6:1-2, Unworthy to Judge the Smallest Matters?
1 Corinthians 6:1-2 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
The Apostle Paul highlights that the matters arising among the saints are “the smallest matters”. In other words, the saints are equipped with the wherewithal to settle these disputes among themselves. There is no cause to refer them to unbelievers to judge their petty disputes. It is incompatible with their spiritual stature and standing before God that they will need those without God’s Spirit indwelling them to guide them in resolving their differences.
In another epistle, he showed them the spiritual way of settling such disputes – Philippians 2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: There is a need for the mortification of self and to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes and understand the struggles and challenges that others are experiencing when they exhibited such antagonistic behaviour.
Indeed, there is a way to resolve differences among believers. Let disputes be resolved amicably among His people. Amen.