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The Saints Shall Judge the World and the Angels.
Jeff Unsworth.
1 Cor 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
The Corinthian believers were judging each other and taking each other to court to settle differences.
The Apostle Paul was both, chastising and exhorting them to settle their differences in Christ.
1 Cor 6:1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
In verse 2, Paul tells them that in the end times, the saints—meaning all who are saved, those in Christ—will judge the world.
The world, meaning those who are not saved, not Christians.
Now, in verse 3 Paul goes even further by stating that Christians will also judge angels.
The Bible is not entirely clear about what form this judgment by Christians over the world and the angels will take.
We know that this judgement does not involve the eternal destination of the world or angels. That judgement is down to God.
Matthew 25:41 says, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'".
More likely, it is about taking positions of authority over them.
Revelation 2:25-26 "Hold fast what you have until I come. I will give authority over the nations to everyone who wins the victory and continues to do what I want until the end".
Whether these are fallen angels or angels who are servants of God is not clear.
Whatever the case, those who are in Christ will share His authority and participate in His judgment somehow.
Paul is saying, shouldn't the Corinthians, and in turn ourselves, be able to settle minor disputes among themselves in the present? Why go to unfair secular courts to judge believers, when believers will one day judge the world and angels (1 Corinthians 2:14–15)?
Don't lower yourselves to the world's standards. Paul urges them to live up to their new identities in Christ instead of living down to the immoral standards of the culture.
“Grievance” translates a word that means “matter of contention, dispute, lawsuit.”
Paul's main charge in this passage is that believers who have trivial disputes with fellow believers should settle those disputes before believers and not take them to the law court before unbelievers
We must remember the disputes Paul is referring to, is civil law and not criminal law, because Paul calls them “a grievance”, “trivial cases”, “matters pertaining to this life”, and “a dispute” and because they involve cheating and defrauding.
1. If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?
2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
What Paul is talking about here is the difference between Criminal law and Civil law.
In general, criminal law is for punishing people who commit crimes that harm society, while civil law is for resolving private disputes about money and possessions (e.g., inheritance, business dealings, property)
Disputes in the church, should be settled in the church.
If a Christian commits a crime, whether against society or a Christian, that person should be tried by criminal law and suffer the consequences.
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