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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are of no account in the Church." Wishing to instruct us as forcibly as possible that they ought not to commit themselves to those without, whatsoever the matter may be; having raised what seemed to be an objection, he answers it in the first instance. For what he says is something like this: Perhaps some one will say, "No one among you is wise, nor competent to pass sentence; all are contemptible." Now what follows? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Wishing to turn them away from external courts, he says: perhaps someone will say that in the Church there is no one wise who could adjudicate disputes. But if, in your opinion, there is not a single wise person in the Church, then it is better to appoint as judges those who are of lesser account than unbelievers. However, I said this to your shame, if indeed there are so few wise among you that judgments must be carried out by simple and uneducated people. …
Cyprian
And to return to the praise of martyrdom, there is a word of the blessed Paul, who says; "Know ye not that they who run in a race strive many, but one receiveth the prize? But do ye so run, that all of you may obtain." Moreover also elsewhere, that be may exhort us to martyrdom, he has called us fellow-heirs with Christ; nay, that he might omit nothing, he says, "If ye are dead with Christ, why, as if living in the world, do ye make distinctions? …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Therefore the apostle wished wise, holy, and faithful persons who were well established in the various places to be judges of such matters, and not persons who, in preaching, traveled about here and there.… If wise judges were lacking, he wished even the lowly and contemptible to be appointed so that the affairs of Christians might not be brought to the public eye.
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, If then you have such cases, he applies the remedy for their fault: first he mentions the remedy; secondly, he explains (v. 5). First, therefore, he says: Therefore, since the saints will judge this world, if you should have secular trials among you, which, nevertheless you should not have, those least esteemed in the Church should be appointed to judge, rather than be judged by unbelievers. …
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