1 Corinthians 6

another
While some versions have “a neighbor” or “another believer” here, the Greek text simply reads “another” (ἕτερος; heteros). These are not poor translations, as Paul is indeed speaking of fellow saints (v. 2), but this can be seen by context with a simple, literal translation here as “another.” Disputes with another person in the church are to be handled within the church, not in worldly law courts, so that God’s name will not be dishonored by His people failing to live in harmony with one another by reconciling through His appointed means—especially since believers have the greatest ability to judge righteously, because they have and understand God’s word.

be tried
The phrase “be tried” renders the Greek word often translated as “judge” (κρίνω; krinō), though here it appears in the passive voice. The context clarifies that courtroom overtones are implied, and so the English translation captures the nuance of an official courtroom trial (cf. Acts 23:3, 6; 24:21; 25:10) rather than private judgment in one’s heart. Paul is asking if these saints would so dare to bring themselves before unbelievers to be tried when, as he goes onto say in verse 2, saints are the ones who will judge the world itself. These believers lack perspective of their place in God’s plan and how to steward their positions.

not worthy
The phrase “not worthy” translates the word ἀνάξιος (anaxios). The word for “worthy” (ἄξιος; axios) has the idea of a weightiness adequate for balancing a scale. In a conceptual sense, worthiness is the idea of having sufficient qualification and ability to match the weight of a given responsibility or requirement, thus leveling the “scale.” Paul is explaining that the Corinthian believers are not at all unfit or unequipped for the task of settling legal disputes, sarcasticly mentioning the “smallest law courts,” since they are truly qualified to judge “the world” and even angels (v. 3). Thus, this is a rebuke of their failure to settle “matters of this life” (v. 3) among themselves.

those
The demonstrative pronoun “those” (τούτους; toutous) does not technically refer to the law courts, but rather to the judges within those courts. This is clear because its grammatical form matches “who are of no account” (τοὺς ἐξουθενημένους; tous exouthenēmenous) and not “law courts” (κριτήρια; kritēria). By saying this, Paul is highlighting how nonsensical it would be to appoint those of no account as judges, but this is what these saints are doing by taking their church trials before the unbelieving world.

Is it really this way
The question, “Is it really this way” translates the single Greek word οὕτως (houtōs; “thusly” or “in this way”). It is translated with the added clarifying words in italics to carry over Paul’s sense in his use of this word. In effect, he is saying, “This is how it is?—there is not one wise man among you…?” The translation, “Is it really this way” accurately conveys Paul’s thought with as few added words as possible.

pass judgment
The phrase “pass judgment” translates the verb διακρίνω (diakrinō), which carries the idea of distinguishing between options or judging between alternatives. This is also how it is translated in 1 Corinthians 14:29. In addition to consistency, the explicit reference to “judgment” helps to bring out the legal overtones in the immediate context of court dealings.

brothers
Paul writes this phrase with the word “brother” as a singular (ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ; ana meson tou adelphou autou; “between his brother [implied: and another brother]”). But rather than adding words, this translation aptly communicates Paul’s idea by simply using the plural “brothers.” Though some translations use the older English plural, “brethren,” the updated rendering as “brothers” is more natural to modern readers. This language describes the close familial union fellow believers have with one another by virtue of their union with Christ. Paul uses this term to remind the Corinthians of the familial union they have together as believers, and thus the ability they should have to judge between one another.

On the contrary
The Greek strong contrastive (αλλα; alla) occurs here and in verse 8. In Paul’s concluding comments on this topic, he has two parallel contrasts: One is specifically about judging (vv. 5–6) and the other is about court lawsuits in general (vv. 7–8). In this verse, he contrasts the wise thinking that should be guiding believers’ lives (v. 5) with the appalling evidence of how they are actually living (v. 6).

before unbelievers!
Though some translations render this verse as a question, there is no interrogative word or other indicator here to suggest that this is a question in Greek. More likely, Paul is making a surprised statement. Thus, this verse is punctuated here with an exclamation point rather than a question mark. Paul is communicating that he is amazed that Christian brothers are engaged in legal disputes with one another and being judged by worldly judges rather than handling these disagreements within the church.

tried
Refer to the discussion on verse 1 above.

failure
The word “failure” is a more literal translation of the Greek term ἥττημα (hēttēma). In Romans 11:12 (the only other place it is used in the NT), the context clarifies that this refers to a personal failure and loss of something. It does not imply a defeat as would occur in the context of opposition. Therefore, Paul is saying here that believers who sue one another are failing to live up to God’s requirements for them.

brothers
Though some translations use the older English plural, “brethren,” the updated rendering as “brothers” is more natural to modern readers. This language describes the close familial union fellow believers have with one another by virtue of their union with Christ. Paul uses this term to remind the Corinthians of the familial union they have together as believers, and thus the ability they should have to judge between one another.

sexually immoral
While some translations simply have “the immoral” or “fornicators” here, the term here refers specifically to “sexual immorality” (πόρνος; pornos), and is the term from which “pornography” is derived. It was used to describe practices of sexual perversion such as fornication, adultery, and prostitution (the related term πόρνη [pornē] means “prostitute”). As here, it referenced any sexual behavior outside the sanctity of marriage. The consistency of this term’s translation is important in part because the same root appears in chapter 5 several times (cf. 5:1, 9, 11). In the flow of Paul’s greater argument, Paul clarifies how if professing believers engage in these sins, they are to be put out of the church (5:11). This verse clarifies that such people will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. And yet, for those who are truly justified from their sins by faith in the blood of Jesus, they are genuine members of the body of Christ who are set apart for a different destiny (6:11). The Corinthians themselves bear such testimonies, and now they need to strive by grace to keep distancing themselves from such immorality (6:18).

sexual immorality
Refer to the discussion on verse 9 above.

sexual immorality…sexually immoral
Refer to the discussion on verse 9 above.

sanctuary
The word for “sanctuary” here is νάος (naos). It is an important and specific word in the New Testament referring to the innermost and most sacred part of the temple where the altar, holy place, and holy of holies were located. As such, it is more specific than the term ἱερόν (hieron; “temple”), which refers to the entire temple complex. Thus, the translation “sanctuary” accurately captures the meaning of νάος (naos) and properly differentiates it from ἱερόν (hieron). Paul is describing an immense privilage of believers here, whose bodies, because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are equated with the holy of holies. Paul appeals to this amazing reality to emphasize how such a place must be kept holy and free from defilement. Thus, believers must all the more diligently flee from sexual immorality which greatly defiles the body—the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit.

were bought
The phrase “were bought” captures the aorist tense of the Greek verb ἀγοράζω (agorazō). Because the aorist tense portrays an action simply and holistically, as opposed to something being done over time, for example, the English translation portrays the purchase of these believers as a completed act done in the past. Paul is saying that believers were purchased in the past and they now have a new Master to serve with their bodies.