Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 6:5

What does 1 Corinthians 6:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 6:5 means

Paul states plainly that he intends to shame them into recognizing the problem. With biting irony—given their boasts about wisdom—he asks whether there is not even one wise person in the church able to settle a dispute between brothers. His question uncovers their failure to apply spiritual maturity to practical conflicts. For Paul, peacemaking is not optional; it is part of faithful discipleship. Wise arbitration protects unity, guards the church’s reputation, and reflects the gospel’s reconciling power. That such wisdom appears absent in Corinth shows how deeply they have absorbed the culture’s litigious, honor-seeking patterns instead of Christlike humility and brotherly love.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I say this to move you to shame. What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I say this to move you to shame. What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I say this to put you to shame. Is there not among you one wise man who may be able to give a decision between his brothers?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

unto your shame I speak: so there is not among you one wise man, not even one, who shall be able to discern in the midst of his brethren!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not among you any one wise man that is able to judge between his brethren?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I speak to you [to put you] to shame. Thus there is not a wise person among you, not even one, who shall be able to decide between his brethren!

Context

Verse 5 personalizes the critique. After the general principle (vv. 2–4), Paul confronts the community’s lack of practical wisdom. The next verse will sharpen the scandal: Christians are dragging each other before unbelievers. Verses 7–8 will then urge a radically different mindset—preferring to suffer loss rather than harm a brother or dishonor Christ. This progression from shame, to scandal, to sacrificial alternative is central to Paul’s appeal.

v.4If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?

v.5This passage

v.6but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 4:10

    We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:34

    Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.

  • James 1:5

    But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

  • Proverbs 14:8

    The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:14

    I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

  • James 3:13

    Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

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