1 Corinthians 6:7

Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

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Other translations

WEBBE

Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

BSB

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

KJV

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

ASV

Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?

BBE

More than this, it is not to your credit to have causes at law with one another at all. Why not put up with wrong? why not undergo loss?

Original Greek

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ἤδη ēdē Already G2235 μὲν men indeed G3303 οὖν oun therefore G3767 ὅλως holōs altogether G3654 ἥττημα hēttēma a defeat G2275 ἐν en in G1722 ὑμῖν humin you G4771 ἐστιν estin it is G1510 ὅτι hoti for G3754 κρίματα krimata lawsuits G2917 ἔχετε echete you have G2192 μεθ meth᾽ among G3326 ἑαυτῶν he'autōn yourselves G1438 διὰ dia Because of G1223 τί ti why G5101 οὐχὶ ouchi surely G3780 μᾶλλον mallon rather G3123 ἀδικεῖσθε; adikeisthe suffer wrong G91 διὰ dia Because of G1223 τί ti why G5101 οὐχὶ ouchi surely G3780 μᾶλλον mallon rather G3123 ἀποστερεῖσθε; apostereisthe be defrauded G650

The early church

"Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you that ye have lawsuits one with another." Do you see for what place he reserved this point? And how he has cleared the discussion of it in good time? For "I talk not yet," saith he, "which injures, or which is injured." Thus far, the act itself of going to law brings each party under his censure, and in that respect one is not at all better than another. But whether one go to law justly or unjustly, that is quite another subject. Say not then, "which did the wrong?" For on this ground I at once condemn thee, even for the act of going to law. Now if being unable to bear a wrong-doer be a fault, what accusation can come up to the actual wrong? "Why not rather take wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?"
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

12

Topics

MeeknessRetaliation

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