“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 brethren?”
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? — Paul's tone shifts to appeal, now expressing pastoral disappointment. The question presumes that the ekklēsia should contain at least one person possessing wisdom (sophia) sufficient for arbitration. This challenge to communal wisdom doubles as an indictment of the Corinthians' fractious state—they have not cultivated the mature leadership necessary for internal peace.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 6:5
“But this I say to move you to shame.” These are the words of one exposing their objection as being an idle pretext: and therefore he adds, “Is it so that there is not a wise man among you, no not even one?” Is the scarcity, says he, so great? So great the want of sensible persons among you? And what he subjoins strikes even still harder. For having said, “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one?” he adds, “who shall be able to judge in the case of his…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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