Last week we examined an area in which many churches are negligent- holding members accountable. As widespread as that is, the issue with which Paul confronted the Corinthians in chapter 6 is probably even more prevalent. This passage deals with believers taking one another to court before unbelieving judges. The connection to chapter 5 is well noted by Robert Gromacki: "If believers are not to judge the unsaved (5:12-13), why should believers let the unsaved judge then?" The Apostle reminded the Corinthians (and we Americans) that our witness to the world is more important than our satisfaction in court.
Paul used three lines of argument to make his case to the church:
1. The church's competence in judging her own.
2. The church's concern in judging her own.
3. The church's character in judging her own.
Scripture:
Daniel 7:27
Matthew 19:28
Romans 13:12
Titus 3:5
Romans 6:22
Romans 5:1
"We have never done that before!"
Does that justify our failure to obey the Scripture?
