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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER SIX:
JUDICIAL UNITY

Theme Verse: 2

1 Corinthians 6:1-6 – Unfit to Judge Lesser Matters?

1CO6:1 Is anyone among you daring enough to bring a complaint against a brother 246 before an unrighteous judge and not before the Saints? 247

246

Is anyone among you daring enough to bring a complaint against a brother: Or, LAM: a lawsuit. Paul now shifts to another subject. He must have heard that the Corinthians were taking one another to worldly courts to settle certain disputes. The Nazarene touched on related problems among Jews. [Matthew 5:23-26] Jesus counseled to settle the matters personally and make peace with a complaining brother.

247

Before an unrighteous judge and not before the Saints: Or, MOF: a sinful pagan court; TCN: tried before the heathen; NEB: instead of the community of God’s people; GDS: instead of laying it before God’s people. As before Paul seems to suggest the congregation review these matters, though it may also occur before appointed elders. An example of “unrighteous judges” might be Acts 18:17.

1CO6:2 Do you not realize the Saints will judge the whole world of humanity? 248 And so if the whole social order of humanity is to be judged by you are you unfit to judge lesser matters? 249

248	The Saints will judge the whole world of humanity: Or, the world. Such was foretold by Daniel 7:22, 27. Compare the notes on Revelation 20:4.

249	Are you unfit to judge lesser matters: Or, unworthy, incompetent; trifles, trivial cases. Under the Law of Moses Israelite elders sat as judges before the city gates. There they gathered before the public to consider cases of all kinds. [Exodus 18:22, 26; Deuteronomy 1:16; 16:18-20; 19:18]

1CO6:3 Do you not realize we shall judge angels? 250 Shall we not judge factual matters in this life? 251

250	Do you not realize we shall judge angels: Why Paul makes this conclusion is not clear, though the idea is suggested in 1 Peter 3:19, 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6. When this would occur is not precisely stated.

251	Shall we not judge factual matters in this life: Or, NEB: mere matters of business; NOR: every day life. From the context these matters are probably financial or business disagreements.

1CO6:4 If, indeed, you have matters pertaining to this life to sit in judgment on, 252 why do you treat as nothing those in the congregation who sit as judges? 253

252	If, indeed, you have matters pertaining to this life to sit in judgment on: Or, judgment seats. [Matthew 18:17]

253

Why do you treat as nothing those in the congregation who sit as judges: There seem two approaches to this phrase: a] the worldly judges who are treated as nothing; or, b] by going to worldly judges they treat as nothing those who should be judging in the congregation. Or, KNX: you would be better to appoint the most insignificant of your own number as judges; CON: give the arbitration of them to the very least in your church; NEB: how can you entrust jurisdiction to outsiders, men who count for nothing in our community.

1CO6:5 I am trying to embarrass you by what I am saying! 254 Surely, is there not a single wise person among you 255 who is able to sit in judgment between his brothers?

254	I am trying to embarrass you by what I am saying: Or, to move you to shame, to rouse your sense of shame. Paul repeats this at 1 Corinthians 15:34.

255	Is there not a single wise person among you: Or, wise man, one man with enough sense. Compare Deuteronomy 1:13.

1CO6:6 But instead, brother goes to court against brother, and this in front of unbelievers? 256

256	Brother goes to court against brother, and this in front of unbelievers: Or, BEC: one Christian sues another; NOR: unbelieving judges. The Nazarene uses wicked judges in some of his parables. [Luke 18:2-7]

1 Corinthians 6:7-8 – How Lawsuits Defeat

1CO6:7 Indeed, already this whole matter is a complete defeat for you 257 when you have lawsuits among yourselves. Why do you not rather allow yourselves to be treated unjustly? 258 Why do you not rather let yourselves be deprived 259 [of any settlement]?

257	This whole matter is a complete defeat for you: Or, a fault, defect, utterly failed.

258	Why do you not rather allow yourselves to be treated unjustly: Or, taking wrong, accept maltreatment. [Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15] Compare Abraham’s attitude at Genesis 13:5-13.

259

Let yourselves be deprived: Or, defrauded, cheated, robbed. The defrauded can draw comfort from Psalm 146:6. Jesus became involved in a situation where a man wanted him to arbitrate in a matter of inheritance. Note the warning the Nazarene gave at Luke 12:13-16. It is a dangerous thing for a Saint destined for the celestial realms to have greedy anchors in this one.

1CO6:8 But rather you treat others unjustly, 260 and you deprive others 261 [of settlements]! And this, [your] brothers!

260	You treat others unjustly: Or, do wrong, wrongdoing, wrong and cheat.

261	You deprive others: Or, defraud, rob, cheat. These Christians are in the wrong religion. They need to belong to a belief system which allows a “dog eat dog” mentality.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Who Will Not Inherit Kingdom

1CO6:9 Or, do you not realize that the unrighteous will never inherit God’s Kingdom? 262 Do not be misled! These will not inherit God’s Kingdom – the sexually immoral, 263 idolaters, 264 adulterers, 265 persons who abuse themselves with others, 266 men who lie with men, 267

262

The unrighteous will never inherit God’s Kingdom: Paul now gives one of his lists enumerating those who will not “inherit” the Kingdom. On “inherit” see Matthew 25:34 and 1 Corinthians 15:50. Paul here then suggests that those who will persist in such lawsuits against fellow Christians will find it difficult to “shine like the sun” in the Father’s kingdom. [Daniel 12:2, 3; Matthew 13:42]

263	The sexually immoral: Or, fornication, prostitution. See notes on PORNEIA at 1 Corinthians 5:1. Research fornication, prostitution, or PORNEIA in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. [Galatians 5:19; Revelation 21:8]

264

Idolaters: Or, worship idols. The Jews were revolted at idols and idolatry though their history was filled with it. [See notes on Romans 1:23 and Romans 2:22.] One only needs to read Isaiah 40-44 to see how. The first apostolic conference at Jerusalem cautioned the non-Jews regarding idolatry. [Acts 15:20] Compare Colossians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 John 5:21; Revelation 2:14, 20. Though coming out of Jewish backgrounds idols would be abhorred, the Christian Church finally succumbed to idolatry worse than all the pagans.

265	Adulterers: Compare Hebrews 13:4.

266

Persons who abuse themselves with others: Or, effeminate, homosexuals. The Greek is MALAKOI (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3120, soft [men], catamite). MALAKOI is the Modern Greek word for self-abuse and here Paul means those men or women who would practice self-abuse among persons of the same sex. Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Romans 1:27.

267

Men who lie with men: Or, KJV: abusers of themselves with mankind; NEB: homosexual perversion. The Greek is ARSENOCOITAI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #733, sodomite]. The word has within it COITA which means “bed” so the meaning is men who take other men to bed. See the Greek word COITE [“bed”] at Hebrews 13:4. The Latin version has it as MASCULORUM CONCUDITORES. [male concubines]

1CO6:10 thieves, 268 greedy persons, 269 drunkards, 270 slanderers, 271 extortionists. 272

268	Thieves: Or, who steal. The Greek is KLEPTAI from which the English “kleptomaniac” comes. Compare notes on Ephesians 4:28 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

269

Greedy persons: Or, covetous. The Greek means literally “a desire for more.” It is interesting that the Latin for greed or desire is CUPIDATIS. Compare notes on Ephesians 4:19, Ephesians 5:3, 5. Elders must be free of greed. [1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7] Compare the Nazarene’s warning at Luke 12:13-34. While some Christians place great emphasis on what they consider “fornication” little is placed on greed.

270

Drunkards: For a description of drunkenness read Proverbs 23:20, 29-35. [Deuteronomy 21:20; see notes on 1 Peter 4:3] From the time of Noah God’s People have drunk wine. It was actually used in worship services of ancient Israel. Jesus the Nazarene was a “drinker” and so accused of drunkenness. [Matthew 11:18, 19] John the Baptist refrained from drinking during his ministry because he was a Nazirite and had taken a special vow. [Numbers 6:2, 3] Wine was a regular beverage at all meals and one historian describes the average breakfast of a Greek youth as leftover dried bread dipped in wine. If any thing the Bible encourages drinking wine, but warns that kings and judges should be cautious in its use. [Proverbs 31:4-7; Proverbs 20:1] For some reason Timothy did not drink until Paul gave him the counsel at 1 Timothy 5:23. He was to stop drinking water and drink wine instead. [Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:7; 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7]

271

Slanderers: Or, revilers. The use of the tongue and the words it produces will be a factor in the judgment. The Nazarene taught that “every idle word” would come before the judgment. [Matthew 12:34-36] The Bible clearly condemns gossip and slander and the Christian does well to be done with it. [Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; 16:28; 18:8; 26:20; 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3] Though both men and women are warned of the danger of slander, women seem particularly mentioned in this context.

272

Extortionists: Or, snatchers, swindlers. The difference between a thief and an extortionist is the latter is more devious and subtle. In English the word means “getting money, etc. by violence, threats, misuse of authority.” The latter shows that religious leaders who would misuse their authority in order to exact contributions or donations from the flock are particularly guilty and cannot expect to inherit God’s Kingdom.

1CO6:11 And you all used to be these sort of persons. 273 But, all of you were cleansed. 274 All of you were sanctified. 275 All of you were declared not guilty 276 in the name of our Master Jesus Christ 277 and in the Pneuma of our God. 278

273

And you all used to be these sort of persons: Or, KJV: and such were some of you; WMS: and these are just the characters some of you used to be; NOR: some of you once belong to these classes. [Colossians 3:7; Titus 3:3] Members of the Corinthian congregation had all been guilty of one or more of those “unrighteous” deeds. Though Paul now goes on to show that they had been originally cleansed, sanctified and pronounced innocent some were now in danger of returning to a path that would prohibit them from inheriting God’s Kingdom.

274	All of you were cleansed: Or, washed. Cleansed by means of the Lamb’s blood. [Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22] Possibly an allusion to water baptism.

275

All of you were sanctified: Or, set apart, made holy. Sanctification is a process which begins with God’s action of set apart, followed by the Saint’s own efforts. [1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1] God’s Word of Truth is also involved in the sanctification process. [John 17:17]

276	All of you were declared not guilty: Or, justified, declared righteous. [See notes on Romans 2:13; 3:20, 24, 28; 4:2; 5:1, 9, 18; 8:30 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.]

277	In the name of our Master Jesus Christ: It is possible this phrase and the following one echo John 3:3, 5. The Christian disciple is baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” and following this immersion the spirit of God takes up residence within such a person.

278

And in the Pneuma of our God: Literally this is, “in the spirit of The God of us,” and thus “The God” is here included. For details on the Pneuma see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© and also notes on 1 Corinthians 2:16. God’s Pneuma is His mental force [Divine Mind] which exerts an invisible pressure in order to accomplish His will. Some, like the NJB, see a triune formula here. Note however, that when Paul has such an opportunity at 1 Corinthians 8:6 he omits the Spirit. On triune formulas see the work Error of the Trinity in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

1 Corinthians 6:12-14 – The Lawful and Expedient

1CO6:12 To me everything is lawful, 279 but not everything is expedient. 280 However, though everything is lawful to me, I shall not be brought under the authority of others. 281

279

To me everything is lawful: Or, KJV: all things are lawful unto me; NEB: I am free to do anything, you say; BER: everything is permitted to me; MON: all things are lawful for me? One can see there are difficulties with this phrase. Without reason some make this a quote of the Corinthians or a question. However, judging from such texts as Galatians 5:1, Paul considered himself free from the Law of Moses and thus what was once prohibited – such as certain foods – are now permissible. [Mark 7:19; see notes on Romans 14:3, 14, 17, 20]

280

But not everything is expedient: Or, advantageous. See the notes on Romans 14:3-20 where a similar idea is present. Also, Paul will go on in chapter 8 and 10 to amplify matters of conscience. For example, because one is free to eat any foods, it may not be expedient to do so in some situations where another might be stumbled.

281

I shall not be brought under the authority of others: Or, KJV: I will not be brought under the power of any; MON: enslaved by the power of any; CON: they shall not bring me under their power; BER: I am not mastered by anything; KNX: I must not abdicate my own liberty. Perhaps Romans 6:14, 16 echoes a similar thought. He may mean: “I will not let another’s conscience exercise complete authority over me.” Paul expands on this in chapters 8 and 10.

1CO6:13 Food 282 is for the stomach, and the stomach for food. But The God will make both of these ineffective. 283 Now the body is not [to be used] for sexual immorality, 284 but to [be used] by the Master, 285 and the Master for the body. 286

282

Food: Paul declares the context of what he says above. He will go on to discuss “food” in chapters 8 and 10. There was a considerable difference between Jews and non-Jews when it came to food. While Gentiles ate anything, the Jews were forbidden with many dietary regulations. Such a difference was bound to be a cause of disunity in the Church in its early period. Even in the 3rd Millennium there are some Christian sects who continue to observe the Law of Moses and refuse to eat, for example, pork. Others condemn alcoholic beverages in any form. Still others condemn caffeine.

283	God will make both of these ineffective: Or, destroy, cease their work. Possibly Paul alludes to the spiritual or celestial existence in God’s Kingdom. [Daniel 12:3; Matthew 13:42] Or, he may mean God has made the importance of certain diets unimportant. [Romans 14:17]

284

Now the body is not [to be used] for sexual immorality: Or, fornication, prostitution, sexual sin. See notes on PORNEIA at 1 Corinthians 5:1. “Sexual immorality” includes incest, adultery, homosexual, and prostitution. How the Christian uses the body will weigh on the “award” given at the judgment. [2 Corinthians 5:10] Christians who habitually practice sexual immorality will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

285	But to [be used] by the Master: Or, but for the Master, service of the Master. [1 Thessalonians 4:3] See notes on Romans 6:3-6, 13. It is most likely “the Master” here is Jesus Christ and not “The God.” [Compare 1 Corinthians 8:6.] See the following phrase.

286	The Master for the body: Or, WMS: the Master is for the body to serve. [2 Corinthians 5:10] See notes on Romans 12:1, 2.

1CO6:14 Now, The God raised up the Master, 287 and He will also raise us up by means of His power. 288

287	The God raised up the Master: Or, come back from the dead, resurrected. [Acts 2:24; 10:40; Romans 6:4]

288	He will also raise us up by means of His power: Or, exercise of his power. [Ephesians 1:19] Paul will go on to devote a large portion of his epistle to the subject of the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 6:15-20 – Flee from Immorality

1CO6:15 Do you not realize that your bodies are Christ’s members? 289 Shall I, therefore, take away Christ’s members and make them a prostitute’s members? 290 May that never occur!

289	Do you not realize that your bodies are Christ’s members: Or, parts of Christ himself. How the Corinthians were supposed to know this is not explained. Paul will go on to explain this in more detail in chapter 12. [1 Corinthians 12:18, 27] Compare notes on Romans 12:5 and Ephesians 4:15.

290	Take away Christ’s members and make them a prostitute’s members: The thought is shocking, but that is Paul’s intent. It seems the Corinthian congregation had a real problem with this local temptation.

1CO6:16 Or, do you not realize that the person who makes himself stick to the prostitute becomes one body [with that prostitute]? 291 For [The God] says, “The two will be one flesh.” 292 [Genesis 2:24]

291	Stick to the prostitute becomes one body [with that prostitute]: Or, joined to, joins. Paul gives his reason in the following phrase. “Prostitute” is from the Greek PORNE [to buy].

292	For [The God] says, “The two will be one flesh.”: Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 and applies the statement to God. The two become “one flesh” upon sexual intercourse. [Genesis 4:1] Thus, Adam and Eve were not “one flesh” until after their ouster from Eden.

1CO6:17 But, the person that sticks to the Master, such is one spirit. 293

293	The person that sticks to the Master, such is one spirit: Or, joined, in union with; WMS: is spiritually one with him; MON: one with him in spirit. [John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3, 4] Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 2:16. The meaning may be, “of one mind,” or, “of the same disposition.” [1Peter 4:1]

1CO6:18 All of you continue to flee from sexual immorality. 294 Whatever sin a human might do is outside the body, 295 but the person who practices sexual immorality continues to sin against their own body. 296

294

All of you continue to flee from sexual immorality: Or, KJV: flee fornication; WMS: keep on running from; PME: avoid sexual looseness like the plague. See an example in Joseph at Genesis 39:12. Fleeing such would mean avoiding circumstances or situations that might arouse an inclination toward sexual immorality. Compare the warnings in Proverbs 2:10-19; chapters 5 and 6. [2 Timothy 2:22] Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

295	Whatever sin a human might do is outside the body: Or, is without the body.

296	The person who practices sexual immorality continues to sin against their own body: Or, fornication, prostitution. Compare an example – a possible allusion to STDs – at Proverbs 7:21-23. Many would see a warning against AIDS in this context. [Romans 1:24, 27]

1CO6:19 Or, do you not realize that the Body of all of you is a Divine Habitat 297 for the holy Pneuma from The God? 298 Also, you do not belong to yourselves. 299

297

Do you not realize that the Body of all of you is a Divine Habitat: Or, temple, shrine, sanctuary. The Greek is NAOS and refers to a shrine where a god resides. Paul has already mentioned this in 1 Corinthians 3:16 and will go on to do so again at 2 Corinthians 6:16. [Ephesians 2:19-22] Compare the use of NAOS in Revelation. [Nazarene Apocalypse 2000©]

298	For the holy Pneuma from The God: See notes on Ephesians 2:22. One could create a triune formula here: a] the Saints; b] the Spirit; and, c] God.

299	You do not belong to yourselves: Or, no longer your own masters. [Romans 14:8]

1CO6:20 All of you were bought with a price. 300 Now, actually all of you glorify The God in your Body. 301

300	All of you were bought with a price: Or, GDS: brought and paid for; KNX: a great price was paid to ransom you. Paul repeats this at 1 Corinthians 7:23. [1 Peter 1:18; Revelation 5:9]

301	Actually all of you glorify The God in your Body: Or, TCN: honour God in your bodies. [Matthew 5:16] Note seriously 2 Corinthians 5:10. The whole Body or Temple of God seen in the Church of Christ must refrain from impurity and unholiness.

Review Questions on Chapter Six