Problem # 3: Some Corinthian Christians are bringing lawsuits against one another.

Gospel solution: Do not wrong or defraud your own brothers and sisters, because the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Unrepentant sin formerly characterized your life, but God has washed, sanctified, and justified you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by God’s Spirit.

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1. An exasperated rebuke (1-7)

• In light of eschatological realities, the Corinthian church should be able to settle their own disputes and be willing to suffer wrong.

2. An eschatological warning (8-10)

• Those whose lives are characterized by sin will not inherit the kingdom of God.

3. “And that is what some of you were . . .” (11)

• The Corinthians – though once their lives were characterized by sin – are now washed, sanctified, and justified.

A Few Clarifying Points

• Paul is referring to civil matters in this text, not c Paul does not permit Christians and their churches to avoid disclosing a crime to the God-ordained secular authorities (Romans 13:1-7).

• Paul understands that some things needing judgment are not considered improper outside the church (e.g., fornication, adultery, gossip, heresy).

• Paul does not forbid a Christian from filing a civil suit against a non-Christian – but then again, what is the heart motivation, eternal perspective, and eschatological understanding of the plaintiff (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 5:40)?