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1 Corinthians 6:2

Do you not know that the saints (God's people) will [one day] judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to try trivial (insignificant, petty) cases?

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Arbitration;   Fraternity;   Judgment;   Lawsuits;   Litigation;   Righteous;   Strife;   Thompson Chain Reference - Exaltation;   Exaltation-Abasement;   Exalted;   Promises, Divine;   Righteous, the;   Righteous-Wicked;   Saints;   The Topic Concordance - Judges;   Saints;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Courts of Justice;   Judgment, the;   Reproof;   Reward of Saints, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Church;   Judge;   Judgment;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christians, Names of;   Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Daniel, Book of;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Angels;   Cherub (1);   Daniel, the Book of;   Nebuchadnezzar;   Synagogue;   Thousand Years;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Judge (Office);   Philosophy in the New Testament;   1 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Corinthians, First Epistle to the;   Decision;   Judgment;   Judgment-Seat;   Paul the Apostle;   World;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Account;   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Day of Judgment;   Fellowship;   Gospels (2);   Heaven;   Judge Judging (Ethical);   Judgment;   Judgment-Seat;   King;   Parousia;   Quotations;   Retaliation ;   Son of God;   Unbelief;   World;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Judgment, Last;   Judgment Seat;   Peter, the First Epistle of;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for November 8;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? So if you will judge the world, then surely you can judge small arguments like this.
Revised Standard Version
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Do ye not know that the sainctes shall iudge the worlde? If the worlde shalbe iudged by you: are ye not good ynough to iudge smale trifles:
Hebrew Names Version
Don't you know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
International Standard Version
You know that the saints will rule the world, don't you? And if the world is going to be ruled by you, can't you handle insignificant cases?Psalm 49:14; Daniel 7:22; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Revelation 2:26; 3:21; 20:4;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to form the smallest law courts?
New Century Version
Surely you know that God's people will judge the world. So if you are to judge the world, are you not able to judge small cases as well?
Update Bible Version
Or do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Webster's Bible Translation
Do ye not know that the saints will judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
English Standard Version
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
World English Bible
Don't you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Know ye not, that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Weymouth's New Testament
Do you not know that God's people will sit in judgement upon the world? And if you are the court before which the world is to be judged, are you unfit to deal with these petty matters?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whether ye witen not, that seyntis schulen deme of this world? And if the world schal be demed bi you, be ye vnworthi to deme of the leste thingis?
English Revised Version
Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Berean Standard Bible
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
Contemporary English Version
Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are going to judge the world, can't you settle small problems?
American Standard Version
Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Bible in Basic English
Is it not certain that the saints will be the judges of the world? if then the world will be judged by you, are you unable to give a decision about the smallest things?
Complete Jewish Bible
Don't you know that God's people are going to judge the universe? If you are going to judge the universe, are you incompetent to judge these minor matters?
Darby Translation
Do ye not then know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy of [the] smallest judgments?
Etheridge Translation
2 Or know you not that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world by you is judged, are you not worthy to judge small matters ? [fn]
Murdock Translation
Or know ye not, that the sanctified will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are ye unfit to decide trivial causes?
King James Version (1611)
Do ye not know that the Saints shall iudge the world? And if the world shalbe iudged by you, are ye vnworthy to iudge the smallest matters?
New Living Translation
Don't you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can't you decide even these little things among yourselves?
New Life Bible
Did you not know that those who belong to Christ will someday judge this world? If you judge the people of the world as guilty, are you not able to do this in small things?
New Revised Standard
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
Geneva Bible (1587)
Doe ye not knowe, that the Saintes shall iudge the worlde? If the worlde then shalbe iudged by you, are ye vnworthie to iudge the smallest matters?
George Lamsa Translation
Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is to be judged by you, are you not worthy to judge small affairs?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Or know ye not that, the saints, shall judge the world? And, if, by you, the world, is to be judged, unworthy are ye of the smallest judgment-seats?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Do ye not knowe that the saintes shall iudge the worlde? If the worlde shalbe iudged by you, are ye vnworthy to iudge the smallest matters?
Good News Translation
Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? Well, then, if you are to judge the world, aren't you capable of judging small matters?
Christian Standard Bible®
Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases?
King James Version
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Lexham English Bible
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if by you the world is judged, are you unworthy of the most insignificant courts?
Literal Translation
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy of small judgments?
Young's Literal Translation
have ye not known that the saints shall judge the world? and if by you the world is judged, are ye unworthy of the smaller judgments?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Do ye not knowe that the sayntes shal iudge the worlde? Yf the worlde then shalbe iudged off you, are ye not good ynough to iudge small matters?
Mace New Testament (1729)
don't you know that these are to judge the world? if the world is to be judg'd by you, are not you qualify'd to decide your petty causes?
New English Translation
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits?
New King James Version
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't you know God's cowboys will get to judge the world when the time comes? If God is going to let you judge the world, can't you handle a little squabble between two cowboys?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts?
Legacy Standard Bible
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not worthy to constitute the smallest law courts?

Contextual Overview

1Does any one of you, when he has a complaint (civil dispute) with another [believer], dare to go to law before unrighteous men (non-believers) instead of [placing the issue] before the saints (God's people)? 2Do you not know that the saints (God's people) will [one day] judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to try trivial (insignificant, petty) cases?3Do you not know that we [believers] will judge angels? How much more then [as to] matters of this life? 4So if you have lawsuits dealing with matters of this life, are you appointing those as judges [to hear disputes] who are of no account in the church? 5I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is not one wise man among you who [is governed by integrity and] will be able and competent to decide [private disputes] between his fellow believers, 6but instead, brother goes to law against brother, and that before [judges who are] unbelievers? 7Why, the very fact that you have lawsuits with one another is already a defeat. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8On the contrary, it is you who wrong and defraud, and you do this even to your brothers and sisters.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the saints: Psalms 49:14, Psalms 149:5-9, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:22, Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Jude 1:14, Jude 1:15, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:27, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 20:4

the smallest: 1 Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 4:18, 1 John 2:16, 1 John 2:17

Reciprocal: Job 34:4 - choose Psalms 50:5 - my saints Psalms 149:9 - this honour Ezekiel 20:4 - judge them Ezekiel 23:36 - wilt Hosea 11:12 - ruleth Obadiah 1:21 - to judge Zechariah 3:7 - judge Romans 6:3 - Know Romans 11:2 - of Elias 1 Corinthians 3:16 - Know 1 Corinthians 6:9 - Know 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Know

Cross-References

Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 4:26
To Seth, also, a son was born, whom he named Enosh (mortal man, mankind). At that [same] time men began to call on the name of the LORD [in worship through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving].
Genesis 6:1
Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them,
Genesis 6:2
that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and desirable; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose and desired.
Genesis 6:3
Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive and remain with man forever, because he is indeed flesh [sinful, corrupt—given over to sensual appetites]; nevertheless his days shall yet be a hundred and twenty years."
Genesis 6:4
There were Nephilim (men of stature, notorious men) on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they gave birth to their children. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown (great reputation, fame).
Genesis 6:6
The LORD regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart.
Genesis 6:7
So the LORD said, "I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth—not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air—because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind's sin] and I regret that I have made them."
Genesis 6:8
But Noah found favor and grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 6:12
God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world,.... The apostle appeals to them concerning this matter, as a thing well known unto them, or might easily be known by them; for this was either a traditional notion among the Jews, many of whom were in this church, that good men should judge the world; as is said of the righteous in the apocryphal book:

"They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.'' (Wisdom 3:8)

and so the Jews say a, that

"the first day of the month is the beginning of judgment in the whole world, and Isaac sat on a throne, למידן עלמא, "to judge the world":''

or this might be collected, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, out of Daniel 7:18, but the difficulty is, in what sense the apostle means the saints shall judge the world; not merely in a comparative sense, for so even will the Heathens, the men of Nineveh, and the queen of Sheba, judge and condemn the Jews; nor as assessors on the throne with Christ, for though they shall sit on the same throne with him as reigning, yet not as judging with him, all judgment is solely committed to him: nor merely as approving that judiciary sentence, that will be pronounced by him on the world; for even wicked men themselves, and devils, will be obliged to own the justice of it; but his meaning is, that in a little time the saints, Christian men, men under a profession of Christianity at least, should be governors in the world, and bear the office of civil magistracy in it; which came to pass in a few centuries after the writing of this, and has been more or less the case ever since; and will be more so in the latter day, when kings shall be nursing fathers, and queens nursing mothers to the church; and when the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High: upon which the apostle strongly argues,

and if the world shall be judged by you; if such men as you shall bear sway in it, fill up all civil offices in it, even the highest; shall sit upon the benches of judges, and on the thrones of kings, and at last have the government of the whole world; since such honour the saints shall have, and be abundantly capable of it,

are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? is it too high a post, and can you be thought to be unqualified for, and unfit to have such trivial things, of little or no moment and importance, things relating to the common affairs of life, brought before you, and be tried, and judged by you?

a Ibid. in Lev. fol. 13. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Do ye not know ... - The object of this verse is evidently to show that Christians were qualified to determine controversies which might arise among themselves. This the apostle shows by reminding them that they shall be engaged in determining matters of much more moment than those which could arise among the members of a church on earth; and that if qualified for that, they must be regarded as qualified to express a judgment on the questions which might arise among their brethren in the churches.

The saints - “Christians,” for the word is evidently used in the same sense as in 1 Corinthians 6:1. The apostle says that they knew this, or that this was so well established a doctrine that none could doubt it. It was to be admitted on all hands.

Shall judge the world - A great variety of interpretations has been given to this passage. Grotius supposes it means that they shall be first judged by Christ, and then act as assessors to him in the judgment, or join with him in condemning the wicked; and he appeals to Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30, where Christ says that they which have followed him should “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” See the note at Matthew 19:28. Whitby supposes that it means that Christians are to judge or condemn the world by their example, or that there shall be Christian magistrates, according to the prophecy of Isaiah Isaiah 49:23, and Daniel Daniel 7:18 - Rosenmuller supposes it means that Christians are to judge the errors and sins of people pertaining to religion, as in 1 Corinthians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 2:16; and that they ought to be able, therefore, to judge the smaller matters pertaining to this life. Bloomfield, and the Greek fathers, and commentators, suppose that this means, that the saints will furnish matter to condemn the world; that is, by their lives and example they shall be the occasion of the greater condemnation of the world. But to this there are obvious objections:

(1) It is an unusual meaning of the word “judge.”

(2) It does not meet the case before us.

The apostle is evidently saying that Christians will occupy so high and important a station in the work of judging the world that they ought to be regarded as qualified to exercise judgment on the things pertaining to this life; but the fact that their holy lives shall be the occasion of the deeper condemnation of the world does not seem to furnish any plain reason for this - To the opinion, also, of Whitby, Lightfoot, Vitringa, etc. that it refers to the fact that Christians would be magistrates, and governors, etc. according to the predictions of Isaiah and Daniel, there are obvious objections:

(1) The judgment to which Paul in this verse refers is different from that pertaining to things of this life 1 Corinthians 6:3, but the judgment which Christian magistrates would exercise, as such, would relate to them.

(2) It is not easy to see in this interpretation how, or in what sense, the saints shall judge the angels, 1 Corinthians 6:3, the common interpretation, that of Grotius, Beza, Calvin, Doddridge, etc. is that it refers to the future judgment, and that Christians will on that day be employed in some manner in judging the world.

That this is the true interpretation, is apparent for the following reasons:

(1) It is the obvious interpretation - that which will strike the great mass of people, and is likely, therefore, to be the true one.

(2) It accords with the account in Matthew 19:28, and Luke 22:30.

(3) It is the only one which gives a fair interpretation to the declaration that the saints should judge angels in 1 Corinthians 6:3. If asked “in what way” this is to be done, it may be answered, that it may be meant simply that Christians shall be exalted to the right hand of the Judge, and shall encompass his throne; that they shall assent to, and approve of his judgment, that they shall be elevated to a post of honor and favor, as if they were associated with him in the Judgment. They shall then he regarded as his friends, and express their approbation, and that “with a deep sense of its justice,” of the condemnation of the wicked. Perhaps the idea is, not that they shall “pronounce” sentence, which will be done by the Lord Jesus, but that they shall then be qualified to see the justice of the condemnation which shall be passed on the wicked; they shall have a clear and distinct view of the case; they shall even see the propriety of their everlasting punishment, and shall not only approve it, but be qualified to enter into the subject, and to pronounce upon it intelligently. And the argument of the apostle is, that if they would be qualified to pronounce on the eternal doom of men and angels; if they had such views of justice and right, and such integrity as to form an opinion and express it in regard to the everlasting destiny of an immense host of immortal beings, assuredly they ought to be qualified to express their sense of the smaller transactions in this life, and pronounce an opinion between man and man.

Are ye unworthy - Are you disqualified.

The smallest matters - Matters of least consequence - matters of little moment, scarcely worth naming compared with the great and important realities of eternity. The “smallest matters” here mean, the causes, suits, and litigations relating to property, etc.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 6:2. The saints shall judge the world? — Nothing can be more evident than that the writers of the New Testament often use οκοσμος, the world, to signify the Jewish people; and sometimes the Roman empire, and the Jewish state; and in the former sense it is often used by our Lord. When, says he, the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, then shall ye sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Matthew 19:28. It is supposed that he refers to the same subject as that mentioned here-the saints judging the world; and that St. Paul has his words in view in what he says here to the Corinthians. By judging the twelve tribes of Israel, some have imagined that having authority in the Church is merely intended; but Dr. Lightfoot contends that the words referred to the coming of our Lord to execute judgment on the Jews, and to destroy their state; and that the doctrine of the apostles, not themselves, was to judge and condemn that most disobedient people. The place before us is generally understood to imply, that the redeemed of the Lord shall be, on the great day, assessors with him in judgment; and shall give their award in the determinations of his justice. On reviewing this subject, I am fully of opinion that this cannot be the meaning of the words, and that no such assessorship as is contended for ever will take place; and that the interpretation is clogged with a multitude of absurdities.

1. The saints themselves are to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall be judged by him, after which they shall reign with him; but it is never said in Scripture that they shall judge with him.

2. It would be absurd to suppose that thrones should be erected for the purpose of saints sitting on them to give their approbation in the condemnation of the wicked; of what use can such an approbation be? is it necessary to the validity of Christ's decision? and will not even the damned themselves, without this, acknowledge the justice of their doom? I therefore think with Dr. Lightfoot, that these words of the apostle refer to the prediction of Daniel, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:27, and such like prophecies, where the kingdoms of the earth are promised to the saints of the Most High; that is, that a time shall come when Christianity shall so far prevail that the civil government of the world shall be administered by Christians, which, at that time, was administered by heathens. And this is even now true of all those parts of the earth which may be considered of the greatest political consequence. They profess Christianity, and the kings and other governors are Christians in this general sense of the term.


 
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