Prefer Wrong Doing

The Counterintuitive Call to Prefer Being Wronged

If you pay close attention to this passage in 1 Corinthians 6, you'll find one of the more counterintuitive teachings in Scripture. It doesn't make sense based on our societal understanding. Paul says much more than just "don't sue each other." He broadens the scope to people who are fundamentally okay with being wronged.

Paul instructs Christians in relationship to other Christians to be perfectly okay with being wronged. Prefer wrongdoing when you are the object of wrongdoing, and the subject is your brother or sister in the Lord. Even when there's no other alternative for settling a dispute within the church, be wronged and be okay with it—rather than taking someone to court.

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 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? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life? So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud even your own brothers?

Paul, who taught explicitly in Romans about obeying the law, is not saying to avoid civil authorities when the law is broken. But when someone in the church offends you, your preferred attitude is to simply be wronged—especially if no one wise enough is available to mediate. There should be at least one person in any gathering of Christians who can mediate disputes.

Shameful Disputes Before the Unrighteous

Paul rebukes the Corinthians for taking disputes outside the church. Who dares go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Why take a brother or sister to secular courts when saints should handle it in house?

Unbelievers don't understand kingdom matters (1 Corinthians 2:14). They can't grasp the intricacies of Christian relationships. Given the context from chapter 5—removing unrepentant sinners outside where danger lurks—taking church matters out is even more foolish.

A grievance is simply one brother bugging another—not always a sin issue, but something distressing enough to need mediation. Rather than retaliate or go outside, bring it to someone in the church who can stand in the gap and resolve it, enhancing the relationship.

Saints Qualified to Judge

Paul argues: Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If so, are you incompetent for trivial cases? We will judge angels—how much more matters pertaining to this life?

Christians, trained by Scripture and growing in knowledge, should discern everyday disputes. Yet today, people often just leave churches without resolving conflict, carrying baggage to the next one. Both sides contribute to disputes; leaving demonstrates neither resolution nor repentance.

If no one can mediate petty disputes, how will we judge the world and angels? Any matter pertaining to this life should have a mediator in the church.

Why Not Rather Be Wronged?

To have lawsuits with one another is already a defeat. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

There should be mediators in the church, but the default Christian attitude toward being grieved or defrauded by a brother or sister is to be okay with it—rather than dragging them to court. This represents the gospel, shows sanctification, and avoids misrepresenting Christ.

It's a natural, unrighteous response to demand payment when wronged—like the world, which will not inherit the kingdom. Jesus endured rejection for our salvation (John 1); He taught turning the other cheek.

Suing a brother loses spiritually, even if you "win" materially. True victory is forgiving, strengthening relationships, and glorifying God—greater than any temporary gain.

Don't leave, ignore, or sue. Seek mediation for God-honoring resolution that satisfies through His glory.

The Unrighteous Will Not Inherit the Kingdom

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Why go before the unrighteous—who will not inherit the kingdom? You are saints, purchased by Christ's blood. They can't provide eternal-value mediation.

This list echoes chapter 5's removal of unrepentant "brothers." These are open sinners: fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers. No gay Christian exists; such were some of you, but you were washed, sanctified, justified.

You're not defined by past sins or labels. As saints, you can endure wrong because Christ's work enables it—and church mediation honors God over repayment.