Disputes between believers should be handled within the church, with an emphasis on restoring the erring brother in a spirit of meekness, rather than taking matters to the world's courts.
Paul instructs believers to address disputes internally, involving the church leadership and aiming at restoration, not condemnation. Les Feldick reinforces this by teaching that believers must not judge one another harshly, as judgment belongs to God, and that the church is responsible for discipline and restoration of those in sin.
1 Corinthians 6:1-6 — Paul directly addresses disputes between believers, asking why they go to law before the unjust instead of settling matters among saints.
Galatians 6:1 — Instructions to restore a brother overtaken in a fault in a spirit of meekness, which is foundational for handling disputes.
1 Corinthians 5:13 — Paul instructs the church to put away the wicked person from among themselves after dealing with sin.
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of disputes between believers in 1 Corinthians 6. He rebukes the Corinthians for taking their grievances before secular courts, asking, "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" (1 Corinthians 6:1). He emphasizes that believers will one day judge the world and even angels, so they should be able to settle trivial matters among themselves. Paul asks, "Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?" (1 Corinthians 6:5). Regarding a brother or sister in sin, Paul instructs the church to confront the individual and, if unrepentant, to "put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1 Corinthians 5:13). However, this is not for condemnation but for restoration, as Paul later urges the church to forgive and comfort such a one, lest they be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). The goal is restoration in a spirit of meekness, recognizing that "ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).
Les Feldick emphasizes that disputes between believers should be resolved within the church fellowship, not taken to the world's legal system. He highlights that believers are to go to the erring person in a spirit of meekness, aiming to restore them into fellowship rather than condemn them (Clip 0). When gross sin or immorality is present, the church must confront the individual or couple as a body, not turn a blind eye (Clip 1). Les also stresses that believers are not to judge one another in terms of personal convictions or lifestyle, as God is the judge of His own servants (Clip 2). He underscores the principle of not avenging oneself, leaving vengeance to God, and even showing kindness to enemies (Clips 3, 5). In matters of church discipline, Les notes that the goal is restoration, not punishment (Clip 4). He also warns that believers who persist in sin may face God's chastisement, even physical death, but that such judgment is God's prerogative, not ours (Clip 7).
Les Feldick teaches that disputes between believers should be handled within the church to avoid airing matters before the unsaved world. In the context of 1 Corinthians 5-6, Paul is dealing with issues that should be resolved among the saints. Les points out that gross immorality or covetousness in the church must be confronted by the body of believers, not ignored or taken to secular courts (Clips 1). He emphasizes that believers are not to judge those outside the church—that is God's prerogative—but they are responsible for discipline within the fellowship (Clip 0).
Les Feldick consistently emphasizes that restoring a fallen believer must be done in a spirit of meekness, not pride or harsh judgment. He notes that we are to "restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). He warns that coming down harshly on a fellow believer sets us up to be the next to fall (Clip 4). The goal is to help the person overcome their weakness and be restored to fellowship, not to condemn them (Clip 0).
Les Feldick acknowledges that there may be times when recourse to the world's judicial system becomes necessary, but the emphasis is on resolving mundane matters between believers within the fellowship. He teaches that believers are to live peaceably with all men and not avenge themselves, leaving room for God's wrath (Romans 12:19). He says, "If God is in control, and you know He is, and someone has misused you, give Him time. He's going to square the matter" (Clip 3).
Restoration in Meekness
Les teaches that when a believer falls, the responsibility is to go to them in a spirit of meekness, aiming to restore them into fellowship, recognizing that we too could fall into the same temptation.
Church Discipline
Les explains that if gross immorality or covetousness exists in the church, the body of believers must confront the individuals and deal with it corporately, not turn a blind eye.
Judging Not Your Brother
Les emphasizes that believers are not to judge the lifestyle of other believers, as God is the judge of His own servants, using the analogy of not judging another man's servant.
Vengeance Belongs to God
Les teaches that believers should not seek personal vengeance but leave retribution to God, who will repay, possibly more severely, and that we should strive to live peaceably.
Restore, Not Condemn
Les stresses that the goal is restoration, not kicking someone out, and warns that harsh judgment sets yourself up to be the next to fall. He cites Paul's example of forgiving and loving.
Overcome Evil with Good
Les applies Romans 12:20-21 by teaching that believers are to feed and give drink to their enemies, thereby overcoming evil with good, not taking matters into their own hands.
What Happens to Believers at the Bema Seat?
Now we've been talking about the judgment of the unbeliever, in case you're wondering why am I coming from Revelation back to II Corinthians. Revelation 20 in our last program we were dealing with the great white throne judgment where every unbeliever of all the ages will come before Christ, the Judge not the Savior, and not only will they realize that their name was never in the Lamb's Book of Li…
God Chastises Sinful Believers
Les notes that while believers should not pray for a disobedient brother's removal, God may chastise or even take a believer who persists in known sin, but that is God's prerogative.
1 Corinthians 5:13: But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Paul instructs the church to remove an unrepentant sinner from their fellowship, showing that judgment of those outside is God's responsibility.
1 Corinthians 6:1: Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Paul rebukes believers for taking disputes to secular courts instead of settling them among the saints.
1 Corinthians 6:3: Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Paul argues that if believers will judge angels, they are surely capable of judging everyday matters among themselves.
1 Corinthians 6:5: 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?
Paul shames the Corinthians for lacking the wisdom to settle disputes within the church.
Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
This verse provides the method for handling a brother's fault: restoration with meekness, acknowledging our own vulnerability.
Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Paul commands believers not to seek revenge, trusting God to repay, which is key in resolving disputes without personal retaliation.
They should seek resolution within the church, ideally through the leadership or the body of believers, rather than resorting to secular courts. Paul instructs believers to have wise men among them who can judge between brethren (1 Corinthians 6:5). Les Feldick emphasizes going to the person in meekness, aiming for restoration.
Generally, no. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for taking disputes before unjust judges (1 Corinthians 6:1). Les Feldick teaches that disputes over mundane matters should be resolved within the fellowship, and that believers should leave vengeance to God, not seek it themselves.
The church is to confront the individual in love, aiming for restoration. If the person remains unrepentant, the church may put them away from fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:13). Les Feldick stresses that this is not to condemn but to restore, and that believers must do so in meekness, considering themselves.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians