I Corinthians 6:5
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I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
your shame--Thus he checks their puffed-up spirit (Co1 5:2; compare Co1 15:34). To shame you out of your present unworthy course of litigation before the heathen, I have said (Co1 6:4), "Set the least esteemed in the Church to judge." Better even this, than your present course. Is it so?--Are you in such a helpless state that, &c.? not a wise man--though ye admire "wisdom" so much on other occasions (Co1 1:5, Co1 1:22). Paul alludes probably to the title, "cachain," or wise man, applied to each Rabbi in Jewish councils. no, not one--not even one, amidst so many reputed among you for wisdom (Co1 3:18; Co1 4:6). shall be able--when applied to. brethren--literally, "brother"; that is, judge between brother and brother. As each case should arise, the arbitrator was to be chosen from the body of the church, such a wise person as had the charism, or gift, of church government.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle, I. Reproves them for going to law with one another about small matters, and bringing the cause before heathen judges (Co1 6:1-8). II. He takes occasion hence to warn them against many gross sins, to which they had been formerly addicted (Co1 6:9-11). III. And, having cautioned them against the abuse of their liberty, he vehemently dehorts them from fornication, by various arguments (Co1 6:12 to the end).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,