1 Corinthians 6:1-8

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another–and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary 6:1-8 Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man’s own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.

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Related Scriptures:

Matthew 18:17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

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1 Cor 11:23-32 (NIV) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

• Just like when we eat dinner, we wash before every meal. There is no difference, we need to be clean when we come to the Lord’s table.
• We need something outside of ourselves to clean us. The blood of Jesus Christ.

John 13:8 (NIV) “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

• Jesus told Peter than unless Peter allowed Jesus to wash his feet, then Peter had no part of Jesus.
• We need to wash ourselves each time before we come to the Lord’s table.

SIX MARKS OF COMMUNION:

1. A time of examination. vv 27-32. The Lord’s supper is for baptized believers only. If you have not done this, then this is a time of self examination.

2. A time of commemoration. Jesus took the Jewish Passover and added to it.

3. A time of contemplation.

• 1 Tim 1:15 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
• This verse tells us that Jesus Christ came in to the world to save sinners.
• If Jesus can save Saul (later Paul), then he can save everyone!
• As you prepare to take the Lord’s Supper, you should contemplate your relationship with Jesus.

4. A time of identification. Jesus carries us all the way.

• Gal 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
  who loved me and gave himself for me.

5. A time of declaration. Verse 26. When we partake of the supper we declare his death until he comes again.

6. A time of expectation.

• Rev 19:7-9 (NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
• The Lord’s Supper is a taste of the wedding feast with Jesus Christ. The Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

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Last edited on Friday, 01.01.2010

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• James 1:5 (NIV)5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
• James 1:12-14 (NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
• James 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
  who does not change like shifting shadows.
• James 1:19-21 (NIV) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
• James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
• James 2:10 (NIV) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
• James 2:17 (NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
• James 3:1 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
• James 3:9-10 (NIV) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
• James 3:17 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
• James 4:4 (NIV) You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
• James 4:7-8 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
• James 4:11 (NIV) Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
• James 4:13-15 (NIV) Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
• James 5:11-12 (NIV) As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear–not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.
• James 5:14-15 (NIV) Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

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Commands

• Matt 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
• Psalms 96:3, 10 (NIV) Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

Prayers

• Psalms 22:27-28 (NIV) All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
• Psalms 67:3-4 (NIV) May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah

Other scriptures

• Romans 15:20-21 (NIV) It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
• Matt 24:14 (NIV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
• Isaiah 46:10 (NIV) I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
• 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Final outcome

• Phil 2:10-11 (NIV) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
  11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• Rev 5:9-10 (NIV) And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

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Quote from B.B. Warfield, Princeton Seminary:

Now dear Christians, some of you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine; you pray to be made all over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like him in giving…

• Objection 1. “My money is my own”. Answer: Christ might have said, “My blood is my own, my life is my own.”… Where should we have been?
• Objection 2. “The poor are undeserving”. Answer: Christ might have said, “They are wicked rebels… Shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to the good angels”. But no, he left the 99, and came after the lost. He gave his blood for the undeserving.
• Objection 3. “The poor may abuse it.” Answer: Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth.

Christ knew that thousands would trample his blood under their feet; that most would despise it; that many would make it an excuse for sinning more; yet he gave his own blood. Oh my dear Christians! If you would like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy and so will you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember his own word, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

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• Philem 1:6-7 (NIV) I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of
  every good thing we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
• Philem 1:18 (NIV) If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
• Quote from Vernon McGee:
  • The primary purpose of this epistle is to reveal Christ’s love for us in what He did for us in pleading our case before God.
  • This is one of the finest illustrations of substitution. “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account” (v. 18).
  • We can hear Christ agreeing to take our place and to have all our sin imputed to Him. He took our place in death, but He gives us His place in life.
  • “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself” (v. 17). We have the standing of Christ before God, or we have no standing at all.
  • Onesimus, the unprofitable runaway slave, was to be received as Paul, the great apostle, would have been received in the home of Philemon.
  • The practical purpose is to teach brotherly love. Paul spoke of the new relationship between master and servant in the other Prison Epistles.
  • Here he demonstrates how it should work. These men, belonging to two different classes in the Roman Empire, hating each other and hurting each other,
    are now brothers in Christ, and they are to act like it. This is the only solution to the problem of capital and labor.

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