“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?”
Do you dare take matters to court before the unbelieving judges? — Paul opens with sharp rebuke, introducing the theme of internal church disputes. The rhetorical question (dares anyone among you) frames the scandal not merely as litigious behavior but as theological capitulation. Taking disputes before pagan judges contradicts the identity of believers as those destined to judge the world itself (Dan 7:22), revealing a profound inversion of eschatological expectation and present Christian dignity.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 6:1
“Dare any one of you, having a matter against his brother, (τὸν ἀδελφὸν, rec. text τὁν ἓτερον.) go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?” Here also he again makes his complaint upon acknowledged grounds; for in that other place he says, “It is actually reported that there is fornication among you.” And in this place, “Dare any one of you?” From the very first outset giving signs of his anger, and implying that the thing spoken of comes of a daring and…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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