Principles of Biblical Judgment and Civil Justice

1 Corinthians 6

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2 Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know you not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then you have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5 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 brothers?

6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8 No, you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brothers.

9 Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12 All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

14 And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

15 Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

16 What? know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, says he, shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.

19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?

20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Paul teaches that the saints are designated to judge both the world and angels, making them fully competent to decide upon all matters pertaining to this life, including civil grievances and disputes between members of the brotherhood 1 Corinthians 6:2-3TT 162.2+1.

The Scope of Judgment ⚖️

The authority given to the followers of Christ is far-reaching and solemn, extending beyond the current era into the future kingdom of GodVDRU 93.1+1.

• Judging the World: The saints will participate in the judgment of the ungodly world after the first resurrection and translation 1 Corinthians 6:2VDRU 49.1+1. This investigative judgment of the wicked occurs during the thousand years between the two resurrectionsVDRU 93.1+1.

• Judging Angels: Even fallen angels are reserved in chains of darkness for this great day of judgment, where they will be judged by the redeemed 2 Peter 2:4+2SSP 329.1.

• Matters of This Life: Paul emphasizes that if believers are to handle such weighty eternal responsibilities, they are certainly capable of deciding "trivial cases" and "matters pertaining to this life" 1 Corinthians 6:2-3TT 162.2. This includes civil controversies, property disputes, and personal grievances among brethrenTT 162.2+2.

Proper Conduct in Disputes 🤝

Rather than seeking justice in secular courts, believers are instructed to handle differences within the church community11MR 218.4+1.

• Avoiding Worldly Courts: Christians should not appeal to civil tribunals or "unrighteous" judges to settle differences among members 1 Corinthians 6:1+1TT 162.2. Taking such issues before unbelievers exposes the church to ridicule and wounds the cause of ChristTT 162.2.

• The Spirit of Meekness: When a grievance exists, the biblical rule is to go privately to the brother in a spirit of kindness and mercyPaM 268.1+1. It is better to suffer wrong or be defrauded than to bring a lawsuit against a brotherTT 162.2+1.

• Church Authority: The church is established by divine will and is the proper tribunal for resolving internal difficultiesCCh 246.2+1. By ignoring this authority and resorting to the law, individuals show contempt for the wisdom God has placed within His peopleTT 162.2.

The Qualifications for Judging ✨

True judgment requires a heart that is right with God and a mind exercised to discern good and evil Hebrews 5:14PaM 268.1.

• Unbending Integrity: Those who judge must manifest unbending integrity in their own lives, as their conduct in business is a transcript of their religious principlesChL 17.2+1.

• Excluding Self: In any controversy, the greatest danger is self striving for supremacyTM 70.2. Those who are quick to condemn others often possess a "natural propensity" for harsh criticism rather than the calm justice of a Christian executivePaM 268.1+1.

• Divine Guidance: The ultimate goal is to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the Jerusalem council, which moved with the dignity of an enlightened judgment to settle ecclesiastical questionsCCh 246.2+1.

Under the Levitical law, the responsibility to carry out the punishment for murder was indeed placed upon individuals, specifically the nearest relative of the deceasedPP 515.2+1. This system of justice was established to ensure that the crime of murder was treated with the highest level of abhorrence while providing safeguards for the innocent2BC 999.2+1.

The Avenger of Blood 🏹

In ancient times, the Lord did not immediately abolish the existing custom of private vengeance but regulated it through specific statutesPP 515.2+1.

• The Nearest Kin: The duty to execute the murderer devolved upon the nearest relative or the next heir of the deceased, known as the avenger of bloodPP 515.2+1.

• Immediate Action: In cases where guilt was clearly evident, the avenger of blood was permitted to pursue the criminal and put them to death wherever they were found without waiting for a formal trial by magistratesPP 515.2+1.

• The Scope of Retribution: This principle of "blood for blood" was the earliest theory of retaliation among mankind and was even extended to animals that caused the death of a person Genesis 9:5-6SBD Punishments.2.

Cities of Refuge: A Merciful Provision 🛡️

Because the custom of private vengeance could lead to the rash slaying of the innocent, God commanded the appointment of six cities of refugePP 515.2+1.

• Protection for the Unintentional: These cities were set apart specifically so that a person who killed another "unawares" or "unwittingly" could flee there for safety Joshua 20:3PP 515.2+1.

• Standing in Judgment: The slayer was protected from the avenger of blood only until they could stand before the congregation in judgment Numbers 35:12+1PP 515.2.

• Conditions of Safety: If the homicide was found to be unintentional after a fair trial, the slayer was restored to the city of refuge and had to remain within its limits until the death of the high priest Numbers 35:25-28PP 515.2+1.

• Penalty for Disregard: If the slayer wandered outside the prescribed limits of the city, the avenger of blood could lawfully take their life Numbers 35:26-27PP 515.2+1.

The Finality of the Penalty ⚖️

While the law was merciful toward the accidental manslayer, it was unyielding toward the intentional murderer2BC 999.2+1.

• No Escape for the Guilty: If a person was found guilty of intentional murder, they were given up to the avenger of blood to be put to deathPP 515.2.

• Sacredness of Life: Because God alone gives life, the safety and purity of the nation demanded that wilful murder be severely punished to prevent the subversion of others1BC 1091.3+1.

• Universal Requirement: No position of distinction could excuse a person from the penalty of their crime, and even fleeing to God’s altar would not provide protection for a deliberate murderer2BC 999.2+1.