1 Corinthians 6:4-7, Why Do Ye Rather Not Take Wrong?

1 Corinthians 6:4-7 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

The Apostle Paul is asking for restrain from the culpable parties partisan to the lawsuits in the civil courts to settle personal disputes among certain individuals. For the sake of Christ and His witness, will the defrauded party not rather suffer wrong than to go all out to right their wrong?

He is asking them to exercise charity toward one another. Charity beareth all things (1 Cor. 13:7a). The word “to bear” literally means “to cover” with reference to a roof that provides good cover, that does not leak. It keeps water out. It is translated to endure, to forbear, to put up with. In the context of the redeemed man’s disposition, charity is the grace that enables one to endure, to forbear, to suffer. It is a humbling disposition. There is also that element of patience that endures what suffering it has to bear in life’s pathways. “All things” seem an impossible feat but it is not. It is the Spirit-filled Christian testimony of one who is constantly abounding in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. A consistency to that ability to forbear is the sense of this phrase. You may ask, “How is it at all possible?” My answer, “With God, all things are possible.” This is the life of faith that we are called to live. To live above the world, to let our lights be burning and not burn out is God’s grace in the life of the believer.

He is asking for differences to be sorted out amicably and with Christian charity. He tells them that contention be ceased and forbearance prevail. May God grant His grace to enable His people to overcome, love one another and overlook their differences. Amen.