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"Having a matter against another..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 6:1

DISPUTES AMONG THE BRETHREN

The Corinthian Church had been so blessed by the Lord when it first started out! But as time passed, more and more problems seemed to threaten the very life of the Church! Problems of factions emerging, carnality and even immorality! Another problem had to be surfaced and addressed.

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another,
Go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?”
1 Corinthians 6:1

1. “Dare any of you”

a) The word “dare” involves an element of recklessness

b) The Corinthians were recklessly pursuing litigation over many matters

2. “Having a matter against another”

a) The Corinthians obviously had difficulties with each other

b) This problem that Paul surfaced was not unexpected!

3. “Go to law before the unrighteous”

a) This is a reference to the civil courts

b) “The unrighteous”

i) A general reference to people who do not know God

ii) Unrighteous practices were common

iii) They took bribes and the poor were often the victims

4. “And not before the saints”

a) The saints

i) A reference to believers

ii) This word was used in contrast to “the unrighteous”

b) Why had the Corinthians not sought to resolve the problems among themselves?

i) They went to the law courts as if that was the normal first choice

ii) Litigation could end up being the norm

5. Missing the point!

a) Why had the believers not sought good counsel among themselves?

b) Why had they not sought to resolve matters humbly and prayerfully?

c) The law courts may resolve disputes according to the law but acrimony may be an unfortunate consequence and that would hurt the church even more!