1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Conflict. It’s an uncomfortable word, yet a reality we all encounter in one form or another, whether with coworkers, family, or friends. Sometimes, the toughest conflicts arise in places we don’t expect—among fellow believers in the church. When we face disagreements or even injustices within our Christian community, the Bible calls us to a different way of handling things.
Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, gives practical wisdom on handling disputes in ways that honor God and our Christian witness (1 Corinthians 6:1-11). He calls us to respond with an identity rooted in Christ, even when we feel wronged or cheated. Let’s unpack what this means and how it applies to our lives today.
Our Identity in Christ Shapes Our Responses
How we respond to conflict often reveals how we see ourselves. Do we feel the need to defend every slight, no matter how small, or do we let people walk all over us without objection? Paul tells the Corinthians that their identity in Christ should change how they handle grievances. As believers, we are sanctified, set apart to think and act differently from the world.
Remembering our identity in Christ helps us move beyond instinctive reactions like revenge or resentment. It allows us to look at conflict with a new lens, shaped by grace and patience. In 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, Paul reminds the church that they will one day reign with Christ and even judge angels! This means we should be capable of handling earthly disputes with wisdom and a spirit of peace.
The Wrong Way: Turning to Secular Courts for Resolution
Paul warns against dragging disputes before secular courts, calling this approach a failure to live out Christian values. His advice is clear: when it comes to civil disagreements among believers, we should first seek resolution within the church. However, Paul isn’t saying we should ignore criminal wrongdoing; Romans 13 tells us that governing authorities are established by God and that serious offenses require legal recourse.
Paul’s instruction to avoid lawsuits over lesser disputes isn’t about sweeping problems under the rug. Instead, it’s a call to handle conflict with maturity, wisdom, and the support of fellow believers.
The Better Way: Seek Peace within the Church
Rather than immediately going outside the church for resolution, Paul encourages us to look inward. The church community provides a context where disputes can be resolved through godly counsel and a shared commitment to reconciliation. When both sides approach conflict with humility, they’re more likely to find peace that honors God and builds up the body of Christ.
Paul uses a bit of sarcasm here, questioning if the church is so lacking in wisdom that it must turn to the secular world for guidance. The truth is, even the most modest believer who has been transformed by Christ’s love should be able to help settle disputes with wisdom and grace.
The Best Way: Choose to Forgive and Let Go
Paul’s most challenging instruction may be his call to “suffer wrong” rather than fight for personal gain (1 Corinthians 6:7-8). This doesn’t mean we’re called to be passive in the face of injustice, but it does challenge our tendency to hold onto offenses and demand satisfaction. Sometimes, letting go of a small grievance for the sake of peace is the most Christlike choice we can make.
This concept of letting go is difficult in a culture that highly values personal rights. But Paul reminds us of Christ’s example: He gave up His divine rights for our sake, humbling Himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-8). If we follow in His footsteps, we might find that the satisfaction of being “right” pales in comparison to the peace and freedom found in forgiveness.
A Story of Forgiveness in Action
Imagine a situation where two church members are in a dispute over a business deal gone wrong. Instead of escalating the conflict in a court, they choose to involve the church’s elders. The elders, with prayer and guidance from Scripture, discern that one party owes money to the other but suggests that forgiveness may be the better path. Moved by grace, the wronged party decides to forgive the debt, reflecting Christ’s mercy.
In situations like these, both sides grow in faith, the church is unified, and Christ’s love becomes evident to everyone watching. Our identity in Christ isn’t just something we believe—it’s something we live out.
Questions to Consider
When conflicts arise, we should ask ourselves: What does it mean to follow Christ in this situation? Would I rather have temporary satisfaction or the peace that comes from reflecting Christ’s love? Am I willing to give up my rights to preserve unity within the body of Christ?
Conflict will always be a part of life, but how we respond can make all the difference. Paul calls us to a higher standard: to resolve our disputes with wisdom, humility, and, above all, love. When we do this, we not only strengthen our faith but also shine as witnesses of Christ’s transformative power to the world.
In our next conflict, may we remember who we are in Christ and choose the way of peace, forgiveness, and love.