1 Corinthians 6:4
What does 1 Corinthians 6:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 6:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 6:4 means
Paul asks a cutting, ironic question: if you must judge matters of daily life, why seat as judges those who are “of no account in the church”? He points to unbelieving officials—respected in society but without spiritual standing among God’s people. By elevating them over the wisdom available within the congregation, the Corinthians invert true honor and shame. The church should recognize Spirit-given discernment among its members and use it. Paul is not denying the state’s role in criminal justice; he is challenging believers’ eagerness to let outsiders arbitrate family disputes that the church is responsible to address wisely.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?
KJV
King James Version · 1611If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If then there are questions to be judged in connection with the things of this life, why do you put them in the hands of those who have no position in the church?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862of the things of life, indeed, then, if ye may have judgment, those despised in the assembly--these cause ye to sit;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If therefore you have judgments of things pertaining to this world, set them to judge who are the most despised in the church.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If then ye have judgments as to things of this life, set those [to judge] who are little esteemed in the assembly.
Context
Having reminded them of their future role (vv. 2–3), Paul now exposes their present inconsistency. Verse 4 highlights the wrong venue and wrong judges for intrachurch grievances. This sets up verse 5’s explicit shaming and the challenge to find a truly “wise” person within the church to arbitrate. The flow presses the Corinthians to realign their practices with their identity, reversing their habit of celebrating worldly status while neglecting Spirit-wrought wisdom.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 5:12
For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?
- Acts 6:2
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.
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