Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians
"Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?"
Text: 1 Corinthians 6:2
WHAT ARE “SAINTS”
Paul used this word frequently to describe believers. The concept behind it is rich and uplifting! The word “saint” literally means “holy ones”.
1. This refers to our standing before God.
We stand before God as sanctified.
2. This may also refer to a special work of the Holy Spirit.
He continues to do the work of sanctification in our life!
A DEEPER LOOK AT THE WORD “SAINTS”
Paul employed this word in another way in the following text. This is a truly challenging concept.
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
And if the world will be judged by you,
are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Do you not know that we shall judge angels?
How much more, things that pertain to this life?”
1 Corinthians 6:2-3
1. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?”
a) Jesus told His disciples that He would bestow on them a kingdom (Luke 22:28-29).
b) In that kingdom, they will be judges of the tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30).
c) The saints of God would be appointed to “high office” in the Millennial kingdom.
2. “And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”
a) Paul extended what Jesus taught His disciples (Luke 22:30).
b) He extended it to the judging of the world, rather than just Israel.
3. “Are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”
a) The disputes that were brought to the Gentile courts were not major matters.
b) They were but “the smallest matters”.
c) Why resort to the secular courts when the small matters at hand could have been fairly resolved.
4. “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?”
a) This must have been a revelation given to Paul.
b) Saints are not just known for their holiness, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
c) When Jesus concludes His reign on earth, the (fallen) angels would be judged.
5. “How much more, things that pertain to this life?”
The things that pertain to this life are “secondary” compared to the challenge of judging Israel and the world. If that is the case they ought to be able to come to a more dignified manner of resolving problems than to resort to the secular and ungodly law courts!