Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?This phrase highlights the future role of believers in God's kingdom. The concept of saints judging the world is rooted in eschatological teachings found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Daniel 7:22 speaks of the "Ancient of Days" coming and judgment being given to the saints. In the New Testament,
Revelation 20:4-6 describes the saints reigning with Christ during the millennial kingdom. This role of judgment is not about condemnation but about ruling and administering God's justice. The term "saints" refers to all believers, emphasizing their sanctified status through Christ. This future responsibility underscores the dignity and authority bestowed upon believers, encouraging them to live righteously in the present.
And if you are to judge the world,
This phrase reinforces the certainty of the saints' future role. The use of "if" is rhetorical, affirming the truth of the statement. The context of1 Corinthians 6 is addressing disputes among believers in Corinth, urging them to resolve issues internally rather than seeking secular courts. The assurance of future judgment responsibilities serves as a reminder of the wisdom and discernment believers are expected to cultivate. This expectation is consistent with Jesus' teachings inMatthew 19:28, where He promises the apostles they will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The phrase challenges believers to reflect on their spiritual maturity and readiness for such a role.
are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
Here, Paul contrasts the significant future role of judging the world with the relatively minor disputes among believers. The term "trivial cases" refers to everyday disagreements and legal matters that should be resolved within the Christian community. This reflects the early church's emphasis on unity and self-governance, as seen inActs 6:1-7, where the apostles appointed deacons to handle practical matters. The rhetorical question implies that believers, endowed with the Holy Spirit and guided by Scripture, possess the necessary wisdom to resolve such issues. This competence is not based on human ability but on the transformative work of Christ and the indwelling Spirit, as highlighted in passages like 1John 2:20, which speaks of the anointing that teaches believers all things.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance and correction.
2.
The Church in CorinthA diverse and often troubled early Christian community dealing with internal disputes and moral issues.
3.
The SaintsRefers to believers in Christ, who are set apart for God's purposes and are called to live holy lives.
4.
JudgmentThe act of making decisions or forming opinions, particularly in a legal or moral context.
5.
The WorldIn this context, it refers to the secular world outside the church, which will ultimately be judged by God and His people.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our Future RoleBelievers are called to a future role of judgment, which should influence how we live and make decisions today.
Competence in JudgmentIf we are to judge the world, we should be able to handle disputes within the church with wisdom and discernment.
Living as SaintsOur identity as saints should reflect in our daily lives, striving for holiness and righteousness.
Resolving Conflicts InternallyThe church should aim to resolve disputes internally, reflecting unity and maturity in Christ.
Preparation for Eternal ResponsibilitiesOur current lives are a preparation for our eternal roles; we should seek to grow in wisdom and understanding.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:2?
2.How does 1 Corinthians 6:2 encourage believers to resolve disputes among themselves?
3.What does "the saints will judge the world" imply about Christian responsibility?
4.How can we apply the principle of judgment in our daily interactions?
5.What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of wisdom in resolving conflicts?
6.How does understanding 1 Corinthians 6:2 impact our view of church authority?
7.What does 1 Corinthians 6:2 mean by "the saints will judge the world"?
8.How does 1 Corinthians 6:2 align with the concept of divine judgment?
9.Why are believers referred to as "saints" in 1 Corinthians 6:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 6?
11.Can Christians judge angels?
12.How can we judge angels if they judge us?
13.What are Christian Weapons?
14.What role does Satan play in the Bible?What Does 1 Corinthians 6:2 Mean
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2)
• Paul reminds the Corinthians of a truth they should already grasp: believers will share in Christ’s future administration of justice.
• Scripture looks ahead to a literal, coming kingdom in which the redeemed participate in judgment:
– Jesus told the Twelve, “When the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).
– He promised His disciples they would “eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:30).
– John saw thrones in which those who had been faithful “sat in judgment” (Revelation 20:4).
– Paul later affirms, “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
• Because this future role is certain, believers are called even now to cultivate righteous discernment and moral clarity (seePhilippians 1:9–10).
• Paul’s rhetorical “Do you not know” highlights that ignorance of this destiny undermines present Christian conduct.
And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?“And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?” (1 Corinthians 6:2)
• Paul moves from future reality to present responsibility. If Christians will one day handle matters of global significance, they should readily settle everyday disputes.
• The immediate context shows believers were taking one another to secular courts (1 Corinthians 6:1). Paul calls that practice a failure of identity and maturity.
• Practical implications:
– Exercise Spirit-led wisdom in resolving relational conflicts (Galatians 6:1;James 3:17).
– Seek counsel from godly leaders within the church rather than unbelieving judges (1 Corinthians 6:5).
– View seemingly “trivial” issues through an eternal lens, valuing unity and testimony (John 17:21;Ephesians 4:3).
– Remember that righteous judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17).
• By linking future authority with present competence, Paul urges believers to practice the discernment that will characterize their coming reign with Christ.
summary1 Corinthians 6:2 anchors Christian behavior in the certainty of a future, literal role alongside Christ in judging the world. Knowing we will share His throne, we must handle present disagreements with spiritual wisdom, unity, and integrity. The verse calls believers to live today as those already appointed to reign tomorrow.
(2)
Doye notknow . . . ?--The knowledge which they possessed of the great future which was in store for the Church of Christ was the strongest argument against the humiliating degradation to which their conduct was subjecting it.
The saints shall judge the world.--The Apostle here claims for all Christians the glorious prerogative which Christ had Himself promised to His immediate personal followers (Matthew 19:28;Luke 22:30). Bearing in mind the deep conviction of the early Church that the second personal advent of Christ was near at hand, we may take these words as referring primarily to the conquest of the world by Christianity, which has since been accomplished, though by slower and more spiritual processes than were then anticipated, and indirectly to that final triumph of Christ and His body, the Church, of which every success here on earth is at once the type and the pledge.
To judge the smallest matters.--Better,to pronounce the most trivial judgments, as compared with the great judgments which you shall pronounce hereafter. The nature of the things which form the subject of those judgments is explained in the following verse.
Verse 2. -
Do ye not know? The word "or" should be supplied from
א, A, B, C, D, F, etc. Bishop Wordsworth points out that this emphatic question occurs ten times in these two Epistles (
1 Corinthians 3:6;
1 Corinthians 5:6;
1 Corinthians 6:2, 3, 9, 15, 16, 19;
1 Corinthians 9:13, 24), and only twice in all the rest (
Romans 6:16;
Romans 11:2). It was a fitting rebuke to those who took for knowledge their obvious ignorance. It resembles the "Have ye not so much as read?" to Pharisees who professed such profound familiarity with the Scriptures.
That the saints shall judge the world. So Daniel (
Daniel 7:22) had said, "The Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High." Our Lord had confirmed this promise to his apostles, "Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (
Matthew 19:28). Various modes of evading the literal sense have been adopted, but even in the Book of Wisdom we find, "They [the righteous] shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people" (Wisd. 3:8). All speculation as to the manner and extent in which the saints shall share in the work of Christ as Judge of the quick and dead, are obviously futile.
Shall be judged; literally,
is being judged - the present points to the future, as though that which is inevitable is already in course of fulfilment.
To judge the smallest matters; literally,
of the smallest judgments.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Do you not knowοἴδατε(oidate)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1492:To know, remember, appreciate.thatὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.saintsἅγιοι(hagioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 40:Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.will judgeκρινοῦσιν(krinousin)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2919:Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.world?κόσμον(kosmon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889:Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).Andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.ifεἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.youὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.are to judgeκρίνεται(krinetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2919:Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.world,κόσμος(kosmos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889:Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).are you not competentἀνάξιοί(anaxioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 370:Unworthy, inadequate. Unfit.[ to judge ] trivialἐλαχίστων(elachistōn)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural - Superlative
Strong's 1646:Superlative of elachus; used as equivalent to mikros; least.cases?κριτηρίων(kritēriōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2922:Neuter of a presumed derivative of krites; a rule of judging, i.e. a tribunal.
Links
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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 6:2 Don't you know that the saints will (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) 
