CHRISTIANS SUING CHRISTIANS,WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY

1 Corinthians 6:6-8 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? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

Paul continues his indictments against the church at Corinth as he begins this chapter of his epistle. It is evident that some Christians at Corinth had sought judgments against other brethren through civil courts. Admonishing them, Paul says these things are not to take place among children of God. What kinds of suits were being brought against fellow Christians? Paul doesn't specifically tell us in his writing. However, we know that Paul upholds, and defends, the right of civil of authorities to judge capital or criminal cases as being God's will (See Rom. 13:1-7). Therefore it can be assumed that the judgments, referred to in the lesson text, are those that are non-criminal; those that involve moral and ethical practices, such as real and personal property disputes, disagreements in business practices and conduct, or even due to some fraudulent action, as indicated in the lesson text.

Paul indicates that brethren bringing lawsuits against each other should never take place, but what is even worse is to take the matter before the unbelievers. Or as previously stated, Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints (Vs. 1)? Saints, here, refers to members of the Jesus' church, that have obeyed His gospel call, which resulted in scriptural baptism, anc being added to His body. Who would be more capable, in the sight of God, of administering justice than His righteous children? Certainly not civil authorities, which, evidently had notorious reputations, and are referred to in verse one as the unjust, and in verse six as the unbelievers. God expects members of the body of Christ to justly arbitrate and resolve all disputes among their fellow brethren.

Great reliance is given to righteous members of the church of Christ. Paul tells us that Christians will inherit eternal life in heaven, as joint heirs with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In 2 Timothy 2:12, he writes that they will reign with Him in heaven. It is this righteous credibility that Paul refers to when he says that saints shall judge the world (Vs. 2), and shall judge angels (Vs. 3). This gives strong validity to the competence of righteous Christian judgment, especially among, and between other children of God. Irony is found in Paul's statement contained in verse four. It can be understood better in the form of a question such as, "You don't search for those who are least esteemed to deliver judgments of things pertaining to this life, do you?" This, Paul assures us, would be ludicrous. It was spoken in this manner to shame them for even considering the use of civil judges to arbitrate such matters between members of the church. He gives it more emphasis with this rhetorical question:Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you ...able to judge between brethren? The answer, Paul implies, is yes, there are wise men within the body of Christ capable of rendering justice among brethren (See Vs. 5).

Paul, then asks, Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? With these questions, and their implied answers, Paul taught both the Christians at Corinth, as well as all Christians today, that it is better for Christians to allow themselves to be defrauded, than to cause ill-feeling, scandal, and reproach against the body of Christ that would result from a public, civil suit used to settle a disagreement between members of the church. Indeed, it is better to suffer a wrong, than for Christians to go to law before unbelievers. If a settlement is required, then take it before the wise men within the church of Christ. Jesus, Himself, established this manner of settling such disputes, when he said, Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican (Matt. 18:15-17). Jesus also said ...if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also (Matt. 5:40). This is what God's word says about this subject! Take heed!