The Evangelical Universalist Forum

1 Cor 6:2 Saints will judge the world?

Theology Biblical Theology
#1

Hello everyone.

Today I was reading 1 Cor 6 where Paul says that believers should be able to resolve disputes amongst themselves rather than taking their problems before unbelievers in the law courts. He then says "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
I wondered when, how, why etc this will be?
As far as I know, the purpose of the judges in the OT was not just to pronounce a punishment, but to do things like resolve disputes, help to solve problems and put things right, and also to be used by God to deliver the people from their enemies. Certainly in 1 Cor 6 the role of the judge was to resolve a dispute.
Could it be that God will use the saints to be the judges (dispute resolvers and deliverers) in the coming age to help bring the “the world” who are in the lake of fire to “wash their robes” and go through the “open gates” and into the city?
Does this sound a reasonable possibility?

Thanks.
Craig.

#2

Yes, I’d agree with your assessment.

I think that is also the implication in Daniel 12:3, describing what happens after the resurrection: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (ESV) Or in the Young’s Literal version: “And those teaching do shine as the brightness of the expanse, and those justifying the multitude as stars to the age and for ever.”

“Shine” in that passage carries the meaning: “to admonish, warn, teach, shine, send out light, be light, be shining”

Jesus quotes that passage in Matt 13, at the end of the parable of the wheat and the tares, after those who do iniquity are cast into the fiery furnace where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, he says, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

In the Greek, as also in English, the idea of “shining” is also used metaphorically to mean “giving understanding.”

Jesus says in Matt 5 “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

And, for another example, Paul says in 2 Cor 5:6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Sonia

#3

Before attempting to interpret this verse, it might be wise to first translate it accurately.

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world system, and if the world system is being judged by you, are you unworthy to judge lesser matters?

In the second clause, “… and if the world system is being judged by you,” the verb is a present passive indicative. Some translators render this verb as a future because the verb in the first clause is a future.

The primary meaning of the word “κοσμος” (cosmos) is “orderly arrangement” and is the Greek word for “ornament”.
The world system was thought of as a orderly arrangement of society. “The world” in the New Testament often refers to the social order. Christians are judging this social order RIGHT NOW. They are protesting abortions, especially those in the third trimester, and especially the so-called “partial birth abortion” which is a euphemism for infanticide, often committed immediately prior to the birth of the child (the child is not deemed to be a human being until the head emerges). These social wrongs and more — changing the definition of “marriage”, hurtful child labor (I don’t mean children helping out at the farm), the treating of women as property, selling people (both children and adults) for sexual exploitation, other forms of slavery, etc. The saints are now judging the world system which promotes these things, and take steps to see social injustice overthrown. They also will judge the system in the future until “The kingdom of the world system become the kingdom of our LORD and of His Messiah, and He shall reign into the ages of the ages.” (Revelation 11:15)

#4

isn’t an element of judgement also do with punishment ? :wink: :astonished: , good point above by paidion

#5

Judgment can and does result in retributive punishment — in human courts. But God’s “punishment” is always meant to be remedial, and might better be termed “correction” (Heb 12:4-10)

We have come to regard “justice” as administering punishment, too. But the word actually means “fairness”. God is totally just — totally fair.

Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing.
God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.

#6

Thanks Sonia for your interesting thoughts on the righteous “shining”. :slight_smile:

Thanks Paidon for confusing me :confused: :slight_smile: with the present tense in the second clause - I had not noticed that as I had only read it in the NIV.

You could well be correct with this interpretation, and I agree that Christians are judging the wrongs in society. But some questions come to mind as to whether this is what Paul was referring to:
How do you know this is the meaning of “world” here in 1 Cor 6 when there are many occasions in the NT when it seems to refer to the people themselves rather than the “social order”?
Do I understand you correctly to be meaning that we will be judging the social order or world system in the age to come rather than the people themselves and their particular concerns? Does this mean that we will be judging the angels’ “social order” rather than the angels themselves (1 Cor 6:3)?
Why do you adopt this view? Is it primarily because of the present tense, and that we shouldn’t be “judging” people NOW?

Thanks Stuart for this comment. I agree that it is an element, and that is why I said the purpose of the judges in the OT was not “just” to pronounce a punishment. I think when many think of the judgment of the “wicked” all they think about is punishment. I agree with Paidon that the punishment will be for correction rather than just retributive.

Craig.

#7

Paidion,
I’m not sure that “world system” is the best way to translate “kosmos.” Would you prefer it for every instance of the word, or is there some reason you choose it for this passage but not others?

Sonia

#8

Thanks Stuart for this comment. I agree that it is an element, and that is why I said the purpose of the judges in the OT was not “just” to pronounce a punishment. I think when many think of the judgment of the “wicked” all they think about is punishment. I agree with Paidon that the punishment will be for correction rather than just retributive.

Craig.

thats ok but I didn’t intend to get that narrow view across !, if one looks at the justice system [our human one] yes it has its problems, it isn’t perfect, countries get it wrong, individuals involved in the justice system get it wrong, but if you look at the general gist of the intent of the system its reasonably clear that it aims to do far more than just punish !, so with that in mind if we are to judge [in the sense of the here and now][for the sake of the argument] then punishment must form a part of that !, I would go further and say that recognising that we are flawed [as are our systems] that we aren’t able to punish [certain perpetrators] knowing that our efforts will not bring about a change in the individual [again certian individuals] then for the sake of flawed justice, the victim, and the greater good of our fellow man, a punishment that is a deterrent must be
forthcoming !

#9

eirEnopoiEsas

#10

Thanks for the heads up, Robin. It’s a good job God has sent experts like you to tell us the true meaning of scripture. Where on earth would we be otherwise?

#11

Just to answer those who inquired about the κοσμος:

No, I don’t think this word always means “world system”, but I think it often, or perhaps even usually does.

Why do I translate it as “world system” in I Cor. 6:2? Because that is my default translation of the word, and that translation fits the context.
If it makes no sense to translate it as “world system” then I might translate it as “universe” (the orderly arrangment of the heavenly bodies) or “the people of the world” or in some cases simply “world”.

My Online Bible gives the following meanings of “κοσμος”(not that I necessarily agree with all of this):

#12

eirEnopoiEsas