You’re Going to Judge Angels. Handle This. | 1 Corinthians 6:1-3

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 6:1-3.

We crave justice—deeply. When someone wrongs us, cheats us, mistreats us, or lies about us, something in our soul cries out, “Make this right.” But too often we run to systems that don’t share our worldview, don’t understand our values, and don’t operate under the Lordship of Christ. It’s no wonder Paul is stunned: believers are running to secular courts to solve spiritual family matters.

Before Paul rebukes them, he raises their identity:

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! — 1 Corinthians 6:1–3

This is Paul at his sharpest—and most surprising.

“You will judge angels.”

He’s not talking about cute heavenly messengers. He’s talking about evil angels—fallen beings—those who rebelled against God.

That’s cosmic responsibility. That’s eternal authority. That’s weight reserved for the redeemed.

Paul’s point is simple: If God trusts you with cosmic judgment, why can’t you handle everyday conflict?

The Corinthians were acting spiritually powerless, begging unbelievers to settle disputes that believers—with the mind of Christ—were more equipped to handle. Their shame was magnified because they were behaving like spiritual infants while being destined for heavenly authority.

Paul isn’t telling Christians to reject the legal system entirely. He’s telling them to stop outsourcing what God equipped the church to handle spiritually and relationally.

• You’re going to judge angels.
• You’re going to judge the world.
• You’re entrusted with eternal authority.
• So act like it now.

Paul’s rebuke invites us to recover something the modern church has nearly lost: Spirit-filled, Scripture-shaped, wise believers resolving disputes in the household of faith.

We’re not powerless. We’re not dependent on the world for wisdom. We’re not helpless victims needing secular referees.

God has given His people everything they need—truth, Spirit, counsel, unity, courage—to handle conflict within the family of God.

Paul’s message is this: You carry future authority, so live with present responsibility.

Don’t act like someone who needs the world to fix what the Spirit can resolve.

DO THIS:

Ask God to help you handle conflict with spiritual maturity. If there’s a grievance you’ve been tempted to take outward, bring it inward—to wise believers who can help you resolve it with grace and truth.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have I run to worldly systems for justice instead of pursuing reconciliation within the body of Christ?
2. Who in my church family could help mediate a conflict biblically and wisely?
3. How does my future role in God’s kingdom shape how I handle conflict today?

PRAY THIS:

Father, give me wisdom and courage to handle conflict in a way that honors You. Remind me of the authority You’ve given Your people, and help me pursue reconciliation with humility and strength. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Justice”