Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 6:2

What does 1 Corinthians 6:2 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 6:2 means

Paul reminds them that the saints will “judge the world,” pointing to the future authority believers share with Christ. If Christians are destined for such weighty responsibility, they should surely be competent to handle small, everyday disputes. His logic exposes the mismatch between their high calling and their low practice. The Corinthians prided themselves on wisdom, yet by outsourcing judgments to unbelievers they act as if the church lacks even basic discernment. Paul is not inflating their ego; he is calling them to live now in light of their future role, exercising fair, peace-seeking judgment among themselves.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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?

Context

Following the initial rebuke, Paul supplies a theological reason to keep disputes in-house. This eschatological reminder about judging the world elevates the dignity and ability God grants His people. The argument escalates in verse 3 with the even stronger claim that believers will judge angels. These truths aim to shame the church’s dependence on pagan tribunals and prepare for the practical questions in verses 4–6 about whom they are actually appointing as judges.

v.1Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

v.2This passage

v.3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 2:16

    For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  • Psalms 149:5

    Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds.

  • Luke 22:30

    that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Revelation 2:26

    And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations:

  • Zechariah 14:5

    And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azel; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee.

  • Daniel 7:18

    But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

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