Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Corinthians 6:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"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. …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 16 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Previously he forbade going to court before unbelievers, and now he forbids judgment itself, saying: "and this is already very degrading for you," that is, reprehensible and shameful, "that you have lawsuits," that is, disputed matters, with one another (this is what the words "among yourselves" mean). The Apostle said this with particular expressiveness, for we Christians must regard one another as brothers.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Clement of Alexandria

And how shall one "judge" the apostate "angels," who has become himself an apostate from that forgetfulness of injuries, which is according to the Gospel? "Why do ye not rather suffer wrong?" he says; "why are ye not rather defrauded? Yea, ye do wrong and defraud," manifestly by praying against those who transgress in ignorance, and deprive of the philanthropy and goodness of God, as far as in you lies, those against whom you pray, "and these your brethren,"—not meaning those in the faith only, but also the proselytes.

The Stromata Book 7 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

After rebuking the Corinthians for bringing their lawsuits before unbelieving judges, the Apostle now rebukes them for the judgments themselves. In regard to this he does three things: first, he states how they sinned in regard to judgments; secondly, he clarifies what he had said (v. 9). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he rebukes them in something lawful in regard to judgment, but not expedient; secondly, what is utterly unlawful (v. 8). …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗