1 Corinthians 6:5

I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man amongst you who would be able to decide between his brothers?

BSB

I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers?

KJV

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?

ASV

I say [this] to move you to shame. What, cannot there be [found] among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren,

BBE

I say this to put you to shame. Is there not among you one wise man who may be able to give a decision between his brothers?

Original Greek

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πρὸς pros For G4314 ἐντροπὴν entropēn shame G1791 ὑμῖν humin to you G4771 λέγω legō I say this G3004 οὕτως houtōs Thus G3779 οὐκ ouk not G3756 ἔνι eni is there G1762 ἐν en among G1722 ὑμῖν humin you G4771 οὐδεὶς oudeis no [one] G3762 σοφός sophos wise G4680 ὃς hos who G3739 δυνήσεται dunēsetai will be able G1410 διακρῖναι diakrinai to decide G1252 ἀνὰ ana in G303 μέσον meson between G3319 τοῦ tou the G3588 ἀδελφοῦ adelphou brother G80 αὐτοῦ; autou of him G846

The early church

"But this I say to move you to shame." These are the words of one exposing their objection as being an idle pretext: and therefore he adds, "Is it so that there is not a wise man among you, no not even one?" Is the scarcity, says he, so great? so great the want of sensible persons among you? And what he subjoins strikes even still harder. For having said, "Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one?" he adds, "who shall be able to judge in the case of his brother." For when brother goes to law with brother, there is never any need of understanding and talent in the person who is mediating in the cause, the feeling and relationship contributing greatly to the settlement of such a quarrel.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–8

Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man's own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 6 →

Cross-references

9

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.