SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:4
Por tanto, si hubiereis de tener juicios de cosas de esta vida, poned por jueces a los ms humildes que estn en la Iglesia.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:4
Verse 4. Things pertaining to this life] They could examine all civil cases among themselves, which they were permitted to determine without any hinderance from the heathen governments under which they lived. Who are least esteemed in the Church.] touv exouqenhmenouv, Those who were in the lowest order of judges; for the apostle may refer here to the order in the Jewish benches, as Dr. Lightfoot conjectures, of which there were five, viz:- 1. The great Sanhedrin, consisting of seventy-two elders, which presided in Jerusalem.
2. The little Sanhedrin of twenty-five, in large cities, out of Jerusalem.
3. The Bench of Three in every synagogue.
4. The Authorized, or Authentic Bench.
5. The Bench not authorized, exouqenhmenov. This latter bench was so called because it received not its authority immediately from the Sanhedrin, but was chosen by the parties between whom the controversy depended. The apostle certainly does not mean persons of no repute, but such as these arbitrators, who were chosen for the purpose of settling private differences, and preventing them from going before the regular magistrates. The following verse makes it pretty evident that the apostle refers to this lower kind of tribunal; and hence he says,-
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life , etc.] Not judgements relating to life and death, for these were not in the power of a Jewish sanhedrim now, and much less of a Christian community, but were wholly in the power of the Roman magistrates; but judgments relating to the common affairs of life, or what the Jews call twnwmm ynyd , pecuniary judgments f74 , in distinction from twpn ynyd , judgments of souls, or capital ones. The Jews say f75 , that forty years before the destruction of the temple, capital judgments were taken from Israel; and in the days of R. Simeon ben Jochai, pecuniary judgments were taken away from Israel.
Now this Rabbi lived many years after the times of the apostles, so that as yet the Jews had a power of exercising such judgments; and no doubt the Christians also, who as yet were very little, if at all, distinguished from the Jews by the Romans: and therefore since such judgments were within the compass of their authority, the apostle advises to set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church ; meaning, not those of the lowest circumstances of life, and of the meanest abilities and capacities; for in the next verse he requires a wise man for such a business; but private persons, laymen, who were not in any office and authority in the church, in distinction from pastors, elders, and rulers, that were in office, power, and high esteem, whom he would not have troubled with cases of this nature; but should rather choose out from among the laity persons of the best judgment and capacity, to be umpires and arbitrators in such worldly matters, which do not so properly come under the notice and cognizance of spiritual guides. The phrase, to judge, is not in the original text, where it is only kayizete , set, or put in the chair; but is added in the Vulgate Latin version; and to which agree both the Syriac and Arabic versions; the former reading the words, they that are despised in the church, set for you in judgment; and the latter, make them to sit judges.
The Jews, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, besides their great sanhedrim of seventy one persons, and that other of twenty three in their cities of note, and their triumvirate in every synagogue, had also two sorts of benches, who judged of lesser matters; the one was called yjmwm l yd tyb , the bench of authorized persons, experienced men, that were approved of, and had their authority from the sanhedrim; and the other was called twjwydh l yd tyb , the bench of idiots f76 , or private persons, or yjmwm nya yd tyb , the bench of those who were not authorized f77 , or had not their authority, from the higher courts; but being judged proper persons, were chosen by the people to arbitrate matters in difference between them; and these are the men the apostle means, at least alludes to, before whom he would have the causes brought.
Matthew Henry Commentary
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 man quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves of families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christian should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rathe 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 littl 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 coul not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.
Greek Textus Receptus
βιωτικα 982 A-APN μεν 3303 PRT ουν 3767 CONJ κριτηρια 2922 N-APN εαν 1437 COND εχητε 2192 5725 V-PAS-2P τους 3588 T-APM εξουθενημενους 1848 5772 V-RPP-APM εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF εκκλησια 1577 N-DSF τουτους 5128 D-APM καθιζετε 2523 5719 V-PAI-2P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Judgments (krithria). Better, tribunals or courts, as ver. 2. If you have to hold courts for the settlement of private matters.Set (kaqizete). Seat them as judges on the tribunal. It is disputed whether kaqizete is to be taken as imperative, set (A.V.), or as interrogative, do ye set (Rev.). 89 The A.V. seems, on the whole, preferable. The passage is well paraphrased by Farrar. "Dare they, the destined judges of the world and of angels, go to law about mere earthly trifles, and that before the heathen? Why did they not rather set up the very humblest members of the Church to act as judges in such matters?" 90
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:4 {If qen ye have to judge things pertaining to this life} (biwtika men oun kriteria ean ecete). Note emphatic position (proleptic) of biwtika kriteria (tribunals pertaining to this life, as above). "If ye have tribunals pertaining to this life" (condition of third class, ean ecete). If kaqizete (do ye set) is indicative and interrogative, qen by "who are of no account in the church" (tous exouqenemenous en tei ekklesiai) Paul means the heathen as in verse #1. If kaqizete be imperative, qen Paul means the least esteemed members of the church for such unwished for work. It is a harsh term for the heathen, but one of indignation toward Christians.
