1 Corinthians 6:7
To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The shocker here isn't just that lawsuits are bad, but that any lawsuit at all is a defeat. Paul implies that engaging in legal battles with fellow believers is already a loss, a sign that the community isn't living out its faith, making suffering wrong the better, though harder, option.
Paul is addressing serious divisions and immoral behavior within the Corinthian church, which is undermining their witness and unity. Before this, he's called out believers suing each other in secular courts, a practice that exposes their immaturity and inability to resolve disputes internally according to Christ's teachings. This leads directly into his passionate plea for them to prioritize reconciliation and enduring hardship over seeking earthly justice against fellow believers.
Paul drops a bombshell in verse 7: suing fellow believers isn't just a bad idea, it's a loss. But what exactly are they losing?
A Scandalous Defeat
Paul calls lawsuits between Christians a "defeat." This isn't just about losing a court case. The real loss is far greater:
Paul doesn't just point out the problem; he offers a radical alternative. Why would he suggest letting yourself be wronged?
The Scandal of Suffering Wrong
Paul's questions in verse 7 – "Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" – aren't rhetorical suggestions for inaction. They point to a higher, kingdom-oriented way of living:
Understand the original words
hēttēma · Greek Noun
A failure to live up to the standard of Christ or a spiritual loss; in this context, it refers to the loss of Christian witness and the failure to demonstrate the love and humility of the Kingdom.
adikeō · Greek Verb
To endure harm, injustice, or mistreatment without retaliating, reflecting the character of Christ who suffered for righteousness.
apostereō · Greek Verb
To be deprived of something rightfully owned or to be cheated; biblically, it emphasizes the importance of valuing brotherly peace over material gain.
Paul is addressing deep-seated divisions and a worldly mindset within the Corinthian church, urging them to live by kingdom values even when facing injustice.
c. AD 49
Roman Edict Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius expels Jews from Rome, potentially including Aquila and Priscilla, who later meet Paul.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
Paul spends about 18 months establishing the church in Corinth, a bustling Roman port city known for its wealth and vice.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul Writes First Letter to Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses divisions and issues within the Corinthian church, including the lawsuit problem.
c. AD 57
Paul Writes Second Letter to Corinthians
Paul likely writes this letter from Macedonia, following up on the first and dealing with further challenges.
Jesus' teaching to 'turn the other cheek' directly echoes the spirit of not pursuing legal action, highlighting a radical approach to conflict resolution.
Romans 12:17-19Paul further expands on this idea, urging believers not to repay evil for evil but to 'live peaceably with all' and leave vengeance to God, reinforcing the 'defeat' of earthly lawsuits.
1 Thessalonians 4:6This verse warns against overreaching or defrauding one another in business matters, connecting to the 'suffer wrong' aspect by emphasizing integrity and fairness within the community.
Proverbs 20:22The wisdom in Proverbs advises against saying 'I will repay evil,' aligning with Paul's sentiment that resorting to vengeance or legal disputes is a sign of spiritual weakness.
The shocker here isn't just that lawsuits are bad, but that any lawsuit at all is a defeat. Paul implies that engaging in legal battles with fellow believers is already a loss, a sign that the community isn't living out its faith, making suffering wrong the better, though harder, option.
Paul is addressing serious divisions and immoral behavior within the Corinthian church, which is undermining their witness and unity. Before this, he's called out believers suing each other in secular courts, a practice that exposes their immaturity and inability to resolve disputes internally according to Christ's teachings. This leads directly into his passionate plea for them to prioritize reconciliation and enduring hardship over seeking earthly justice against fellow believers.
Paul is addressing serious divisions and immoral behavior within the Corinthian church, which is undermining their witness and unity. Before this, he's called out believers suing each other in secular courts, a practice that exposes their immaturity and inability to resolve disputes internally according to Christ's teachings. This leads directly into his passionate plea for them to prioritize reconciliation and enduring hardship over seeking earthly justice against fellow believers.
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"To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" — The shocker here isn't just that lawsuits are bad, but that any lawsuit at all is a defeat. Paul implies that engaging in legal battles with fellow believers is already a loss, a sign that the comm…
