1 Corinthians 6:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 6:1 mean?

In 1 Corinthians 6:1, Paul challenges members of the Corinthian church who take disputes with one another to public courts rather than bringing them before their fellow believers. His question expresses surprise that they would look outside their community for a decision in such a case.

Paul uses “Dare” to make the question sharp. The contrast between “the unjust” and “the saints” distinguishes the people hearing the case from the people Paul expects to handle it within the church.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 6:1

• “law” — κρίνω (krinō): The word often means “to judge” or “to decide.” Here it carries the sense of having a dispute judged, which explains the KJV phrase “go to law.”
• “unjust” — ἄδικος (adikos): The word can mean “unrighteous” or “unjust.” In this contrast with “the saints,” it refers to those outside the believing community who would hear the case.
• “saints” — ἅγιος (hagios): The word means “holy” or “set apart.” Here “saints” refers to members of the believing community, not simply to a select group of especially admired people.

Why 1 Corinthians 6:1 matters

• The dispute is between members of the same community. Paul says that one has “a matter against another,” and verse 6 describes a believer taking a fellow believer to court.
• Paul’s concern includes the standing of the people asked to decide the case. His question sets “the unjust” against “the saints,” and verse 2 continues by asking whether the saints are able to judge smaller matters.