Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

"Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life? If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church? I say [this] to move you to shame. What, cannot there be [found] among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded? Nay, but ye yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren." — 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 (ASV)

Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brothers and sisters. If this is carefully heeded, it would prevent many lawsuits and end many quarrels and disputes.

In matters of great damage to ourselves or our families, we may use lawful means to defend our rights, but Christians should have a forgiving spirit. Refer disputed matters to fellow believers for resolution, rather than going to law about them. These are minor matters and can easily be settled if you first master your own spirits.

Bear and forbear, and even the least skilled among you can end your quarrels. It is a shame that small quarrels should escalate to such a degree among Christians that they cannot be resolved by fellow believers. The peace of one's own mind and the calm of one's community are worth more than victory. Lawsuits would not occur among brothers and sisters unless there were faults among them.