He rebuketh them for going to Law before Iudges that were not Christians, 9. telling that
extorsion (as many other offences likewise) is a mortal sinne. 12. And with diuers reasons he
inueigheth against fornication, bidding also to fly al occasion thereof.
1. DARE any of you hauing a matter against another, to be iudged before the vniust, & not
before the Saints?
2. Or know you not that
✟
The faithful iudge and giue sentence with God at the later day, specially the
Apostles and the perfect Christians that haue forsaken al for Christ's sake.
the Saints shal iudge of the world? And if the world shal be
iudged by you: are you vnworthie to iudge of the least things?
3. Know you not that we shal iudge Angels? how much more secular things?
4. If therfore you haue secular iudgements; the contemptible that are in the Church,
set them to iudge.
5. I speake to your shame. So is there not among you any wise man, that can iudge
between his brother?
6. But brother with brother contendeth in iudgement: & that before infidels?
7. Now certes there is plainely a fault in you, that you haue iudgements among you. Why
doe you not rather take wrong? why doe you not rather suffer fraud?
8. But your selues doe wrong and defraud: and that to the Brethren.
9. Know you not that the vniust shal not possesse the Kingdom of God? Doe not erre:
Neither fornicatours, nor
✟
εἰδωλολάτραι
For this, the English Bible 1562. falsely translateth, worshippers of images.
seruers of Idols, nor aduouterers, nor the effeminate, nor the liers
with mankind,
10. nor theeues, nor the couetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extorsioners shal
possesse the Kingdom of God.
11. And these things certes you were, but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but
you are iustified in the name of our Lord Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
12. Al things are lawful for me, but al things are not expedient. Al things are
lawful for me, but I wil be brought vnder the power of none.
13. The meat to the belly, & to the belly to the meats: but God wil destroy both it
and them: and the body not to fornication, but to our Lord, & our Lord to the body.
14. But God both hath raised vp our Lord, and wil raise vp vs also by his power.
15. Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Taking therfore the
members of Christ, shal I make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16. Or know you not, that he which cleaueth to an harlot, is made one body?
*
Gen. 2,24.
For they
shal be, saith he, two in one flesh.
17. But he that cleaueth to our Lord, is one spirit.
18. Fly fornication. Euery sinne whatsoeuer a man doeth, is without the body: but he
that doth fornicate,
✟
Fornication is not only enemy to the soule but wasteth, weakeneth, corupteth and
defileth the body more properly and directly then any other sinnes doe.
sinneth against his owne body.
19. Or know you not that your members are the temple of the holy Ghost which is in
you, whome you haue of God, and you are not your owne.
20. For you are bought with a great price. Glorifie and beare God in your body.
ANNOTATIONS.
Cʜᴀᴘ. VI.
6. Contendeth in iudgement.)
Going to law before heathen or heretical iudges.
To be giuen much to brabling and litigiousnes for euery trifle, to spend a pound
rather then lose a peny, the Apostle much reprehendeth in Christian men. For a
Christian man to draw another to the iudgements, feats, and courts of Heathen
Princes (which then only reigned) and not to suffer their controuersies and quarels
to be taken vp among themselues brotherly and peaceably, was a great fault: as, for
one Catholike to draw another for mere trifles before secular or heretical Officers,
is a very vnchristian part.
7. A fault.)
Going to law not forbidden but to agree otherwise better.
He forbad not al iudgements of controuersies, but only signified that it was a
fault, and that it proceeded of some iniuries done one to another, & imperfections,
that they so molested one another: and that it had been more agreable to Christian
perfection and charitie, rather to tolerate and suffer a smal iniurie, then to draw
his fellow to iudgement seats.