Friday 10 March 2023
- Bible Book:
- 1 Corinthians
In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud – and believers at that. (vs 7-8)
Background
Today we continue reading Paul's letter to the Corinthians in Greece. Chapter 6:1-11 comes after Paul had remonstrated with the Corinthians regarding their immoral behaviour and this continues in Chapter 7.
The reason why Paul focused on lawsuits, is that the Greeks were notoriously litigious and this tendency had crept into the Church in Corinth. Jews were forbidden to litigate in non-Jewish courts. The whole tone of this chapter is that Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to understand that their behaviour should be different from those who thought themselves to be non-believers. It was as if no effort was being made to resolve disputes among themselves before resorting to the legal process. Paul was also pointing out that they had wronged and defrauded others and this was unacceptable for believers to do.
This teaching does not mean that Christians should never resort to litigation. Instead, Paul is encouraging his audience first to try to settle disputes amicably among themselves, instead of running to court. This has application for us today, as it seems that people are quick to take others to court, even resorting to litigation when disputes arise in the Church.
To Ponder:
- How do you respond to Pauls’ assertions regarding lawsuits? What experience, if any, have you had of litigation and what was that like?
- What does this passage teach us about trying to settle disputes without resorting to litigation?