Believers should settle their disagreements within the local church rather than taking one another to secular courts, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 6:1.
Paul asks why a believer with a matter against a fellow believer would go before the unjust rather than before the saints. Les Feldick points out that these were born-again believers and that the same problems exist in local congregations today. He also reminds believers that they are not to avenge themselves, that they will be evaluated for their works at the judgment seat of Christ, and that they will one day rule with Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:1 — This is the verse Paul uses to show that believers should bring disputes before the saints rather than the secular courts.
Romans 12:19 — This verse grounds the believer's response to wrongs: vengeance belongs to God, not to private citizens.
In 1 Corinthians 6:1, Paul asks believers who have a matter against a brother, "Dare any of you ... go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" The implication is that the believing community is the proper place to settle ordinary conflicts. Romans 12:19-21 adds a further principle: "Avenge not yourselves ... Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Les Feldick points to the Corinthians as an example: though they were born-again people brought out of paganism, they still had real conflicts, and instead of taking them to the local church body, the pastor, or church leadership, they were going to lawyers and the courts (Clip 0). He says these are the same problems the church faces today, so Paul's lesson is practical for every local congregation. Les also warns against personal vengeance: the believer does not have to get even because God will repay and can be trusted to square the matter (Clips 2 and 5). He repeatedly teaches that believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards for how they behaved as believers, and that in the kingdom they will be given areas of responsibility (Clips 3, 4, and 6).
Paul's question in 1 Corinthians 6:1 assumes that believers should use the saints—not the unjust—to decide their disputes. Les Feldick explains that the Corinthians, though born-again, had gotten into real wrangles with fellow church members and were going to lawyers and the courts instead of to the local church leadership. He uses this as a lesson because the same problems exist in local congregations today.
Les stresses that a believer does not have to try to get even. Paul instructs, "Avenge not yourselves," and Les says God will repay and can be trusted to square the matter. The believer's positive response is to do good to an enemy, as Paul writes: "If thine enemy hunger, feed him ... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Les teaches that believers will not face their sin at the judgment seat of Christ because sin was already judged at the cross; instead, they will receive rewards for how they behaved as believers. He also teaches that in the coming kingdom every believer will be given an area of responsibility, such as ruling over ten cities.
Paul's Rebuke About Court Disputes
Les shows that the Corinthian believers were taking fellow church members to lawyers and courts instead of to the local church body, and that this passage is a lesson for every local congregation today.
Do Not Judge Another Man's Servant
Les explains that believers are not the bosses of other believers; God is, so they are not in a position to judge a fellow believer.
Don't Avenge Yourselves
Les teaches that a believer should not try to get even; God will repay, so the believer can give place to God's wrath.
Judgment Seat Is About Rewards, Not Sin
Les clarifies that believers will never face their sin in glory because sin was already judged at the cross; the judgment seat of Christ determines reward for behavior.
Believers' Works Evaluated at the Bema
Les contrasts the great white throne for the lost with the judgment seat of Christ for believers, where believers will have their works evaluated.
Overcome Evil with Good
Les points to Paul's admonition to feed an enemy and to overcome evil with good, rather than being overcome by evil.
Believers Will Rule in the Kingdom
Les teaches that in the kingdom God will give every believer an area of responsibility, like ruling over ten cities, which is the believer's future reward.
Most People Miss This About the Lord's Supper — 1 Cor 11
Even though you think somebody is awfully out of step, you never pray, Lord take them out. That's not our prerogative. But the Lord does have that prerogative, that if a believer will not shape up, and if a believer continues to walk in known sin, then yes, God will take them. Because He's not going to let anybody drag His name through the mud.
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's rhetorical question establishes that disputes between believers belong in the church, not the secular courts.
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.
This verse explains why believers should not take personal revenge; God is the one who repays.
Romans 12:20-21: Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul describes the believer's positive response to wrongs—doing good instead of retaliating.
Paul asks why a believer would not bring the matter before the saints. Les stresses that the dispute should be taken to the local church body, the pastor, or church leadership—elders and deacons—rather than to lawyers and the courts.
No. Les explains that a believer's sin has already been judged at the cross and is under the blood. The judgment seat of Christ is only about determining rewards for how the believer behaved, not eternal destiny.
No. Paul says, "Avenge not yourselves," because vengeance belongs to God. Les adds that God will repay and will square the matter in His timing.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians