However, when one seeks to bring judgment against a Christian brother or sister, the secular law court is hardly the appropriate setting (6:6). The place for such disputes, if they arise at all (6:7), should be “before the saints” (6:1; NIV “Lord’s people”). Indeed, as before, the Corinthians have acted exactly contrary to what is true. The saints will judge the world and even the angels who have fallen (see also Matt. 19:28; 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4; Rev. 20:4). Therefore, in light of their role in these ultimate judgments, they are certainly qualified to “judge” trivial cases that concern “the things of this life” (6:2–3) without recourse to secular courts.

That is exactly what Paul calls on them to do in the next two verses, though his advice is full of iron…