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?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 4–7. Set them to judge, who are the most despised in the Church. Rather make choice of Christians of lesser parts and talents, than have recourse to infidels, who will be scandalized at the injuries and injustice done by Christians to each other. Besides you cannot but have some wise men among you to decide such matters. Witham.—Saint Paul does not here mean to tell the Corinthians that they must choose the most despised and the most ignorant, but he wishes to inform them that if there were none but men of this description in the Church, it would still be much more preferable to appoint these judges than to go to law before idolatrous judges. Estius.—It is plainly a fault, [1] weakness in you to run to such heathen judges: you should rather bear, and put up with the injuries done to you.—A fault. Law-suits can hardly ever be without a fault, on one side or the other; and oftentimes on both sides. Challoner.