The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
- KJV Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
- NKJV Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
- NASB Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather suffer the wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
- NLT Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The very existence of lawsuits among them is a defeat; better to accept wrong than to fight. It matters because Christlike love would rather suffer loss than dishonor God over personal rights.
Overview
Paul names the lawsuits themselves as a moral failure, regardless of who wins. Echoing Jesus' call to turn the other cheek, he asks why they would not rather be wronged or defrauded than damage the church and its witness. The gospel reorders priorities so that love and Christ's honor outweigh insisting on one's own rights.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Rom 12:17–19Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Prov 20:22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
- 1 Pet 3:9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Matt 5:39–41But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
- 1 Pet 2:19–23For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.
- Jas 4:1–3What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?
- 1 Th 5:15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Luke 6:29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.
- Prov 2:8–10to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints.
- Hos 10:2Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.
- Prov 2:5then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 6:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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