1 Corinthians 6 - If You Don't Want to Fall, Avoid Slippery Places!
Lawsuits Among Believers
6 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!
It seems strange that there were lawsuits in the 1st century. But I guess people have been trying to "sue" each other since Jesus' time. Specifically, Paul is upset that believers are suing each other. Then, he says something that we don't hear much about in the bible. Paul says, "You are going to judge the world." And, "We will judge angels." I thought Jesus was the only one who can judge world. What does Paul mean by this?
Christians should be fully able to judge their own matters because of our destiny. As we reign with Jesus Christ, we will (in some sense or another) judge the world, and even judge angels. - Guzik
How great is God’s destiny for redeemed men and women! “Is there any statement in the apostolic writings in certain senses which has more definite and tremendous implication of the union of the saints with their Lord?” (Morgan)
I think this also relates to when Paul says we will "reign with Christ" and "be co-rulers with him". 2 Timothy 2:12 Although we will never have the same power or authority of Jesus, when we receive our glorified bodies in heaven, our power and authority will be vastly different than it was here on earth.
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. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Paul says that the fact they had lawsuits between each other was a bad sign. As believers we may have differences or disputes, but we must work them out and use others in the body of mediators. The bottom line is that we have been forgiven so great a debt by Jesus, why would be demand a debt from someone else.
Then, Paul turns to the issue of sexual immorality, which was rampant in the Corinthian culture. Paul lists some examples of sin and tells them they should not expect that any of those who practice such things should think they will inherit the Kingdom of God? Wait a minute didn't Jesus die for those sins too? Why are these sins keeping people out of heaven?
When we come across verses that are confusing or seem to contradict another passage, we need to look at the whole counsel of scripture, before we interpret one passage. First, we know that a person is saved by grace through faith based on what Jesus did on a cross. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but God proved his love for us by this, while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us. On top of this Jesus raised the bar on how we view sins like sexual immorality when he said, "When a man lusts after another man or woman, they are committing adultery in their hearts."
So it is not just the letter of the law but the Spirit of the law that counts. But what Paul is saying is that if someone has been sanctified by the blood of Jesus, their life should look different. He points out that many of them had lived this type of lifestyle before they became believers. So just like a believer should not bring a lawsuit against another believer like one would do in the world, so believers should not return to a life of sexual immorality and debauchery, swindling, and all kinds of other idolatry. Note that Paul just not just point out sexual immorality, though we tend to focus on it a lot.
Sexual Immorality
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Now Paul specifically addresses the issue of sexual immorality. Sexual immorality could be defined simply as, "Two people having sex with each other outside of marriage". It applies to both heterosexual and homosexual sin. The Corinthians were taking their newfound freedom and abusing it by saying that because they are under grace, they didn't have to worry about the Law.
But Paul offers a solid principle. Just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean you should do it. A great example is drinking alcohol. Every Christian has a right to drink alcohol, as in itself is not wrong. But if one begins to get mastered by it, like an alcoholic does, they should stop drinking. It is not beneficial for them.
In this list of sins, homosexuality (not some “special” version of homosexuality which many call today a "committed same sex relationship") is described, but it is described right along with other sins. Some who so strongly denounce homosexuals are guilty of other sins on this list. Can fornicators or adulterers or the covetous or drunkards rightly condemn homosexuals? Of course not.
Christians err when they excuse homosexuality, and deny that it is sin, but they also err just as badly when they single it out as a sin God is uniquely angry with.
Paul points out a fundamental difference in sexual sin, specifically fornication, with other sins. The difference is two people are sharing each other's bodies with one another. The highest intimacy afforded a human being in this life is in marriage where "two become one". They become one in a "spiritual sense" before God and also when they enjoy sexual intimacy.
The body is also called a "temple of the Holy Spirit". So when someone has sex outside of the bond of marriage, they are bring their body in union with them. Since we are united with the Lord, when we commit sexual immorality, we are sharing this temple with someone outside the bond of marriage.
The unity we have in marriage is a mystery which can only be explained by God. I.e. Two becoming one. This is why marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic church.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Paul then strongly advises the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality. Don't touch it, come near it, and when the opportunity presents itself, "run for the hills". It is wise to not even put yourself in a situation where you will encounter strong sexual temptation.
Back to the issue of drinking. Often sexual immorality occurs when someone has had too much to drink. This lowers inhibitions and using sound (sober!) judgment. It is not an excuse to say, "Well I was drunk so that's why I slept with that person, or cheated on my wife!"
Like in the Corinthian culture, sexual immorality runs rampant in ours. With the advent of the internet and cell phones, sexual immorality is one click away.
Friends, we are all susceptible to sexual temptation. The damage this sin has done to the church and to family and marriages is in incalculable. If you are in a relationship which could compromise your marriage, Paul says to flee from it. Though we may think you are strong enough to handle it, there may be a day or night where you are not able to do it.
Where do you need to flee from sexual immorality? It could even be exposing yourself to pornography online. It could mean having drinks with someone who you are attracted to but you are married. You could justify by saying, "We're just friends, what's the problem?" This is slippery slopes. If you don't want to fall avoid slippery places!
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