John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 6:3

"Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?" — 1 Corinthians 6:3 (ASV)

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? This passage is taken in different ways. Chrysostom states that some understood it as referring to priests, but this is exceedingly far-fetched. Others understand it as referring to the angels in heaven, in this sense — that the angels are subject to the judgment of God’s word, and may be judged by us, if necessary, through that word, as it is said in the Epistle to the Galatians —

If an angel from heaven bring any other gospel, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8).

Nor does this interpretation appear at first glance inconsistent with the flow of Paul’s argument. For if all whom God has enlightened by his word are endowed with such authority that through that word they judge not only men but angels too, how much more will they be prepared to judge small and trivial matters?

However, since Paul speaks here in the future tense, referring to the last day, and since his words convey the idea of an actual judgment (as the common expression is), it would be preferable, in my opinion, to understand him as speaking of apostate angels. For the argument will be no less conclusive in this way: “Devils, who sprang from such an illustrious origin, and even now, when they have fallen from their exalted position, are immortal creatures and superior to this corruptible world, shall be judged by us. What then? Shall those things that are subservient to the belly be exempted from our judgment?”