Christian principles ; but what Paul complained of was, not that the Corinthians could not get justice at the hands of heathen magistrates, but that they acted unworthily of their dignity as Christians in seeking justice from such a source. Paul himself appealed to Cesar. It was, therefore, no sin in his eyes to seek justice from a heathen judge, when it could not, otherwise be obtained. But it was a sin and a disgrace in his estimation for Christians to appeal to heathen magis- trates to settle disputes among themselves.
2. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world ? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters ?
Do you not hnoio f a form of expression often used by the apostle when he mshes to bring to mind some important truth, which his readers knew but disregarded. It was a conceded point, one which entered into the common faith of Christians, that the saints are to judge the world. The samts (ot aytot), the people of God, who are called saints because separated from the world and consecrated to his service. Those, there- fore, who are of the world and devoted to its pursuits, are not saints. The saints shall judge the world. This does not mean that the time would come when Christians would be- come magistrates ; nor that the conduct of the saints would condemn the world, as it is said the Queen of the South would condemn those who refused to listen to the words of Christ, Matt. 12, 42. The context and spirit of the passage require that it should be understood of the future and final judgment. Saints are said to sit in judgment on that great day for two reasons ; first, because Christ, who is to be the judge, is the head and representative of his people, in whom they reign and judge. The exaltation and dominion of Christ are their exaltation and dominion. This is the constant rej^resentation of Scripture, Eph. 2, 6. In Heb. 2, 5-9 the declaration that all things are subject to man, is said to be fulfilled in all things being made subject to Christ. Secondly, because his peoj^le are to be associated with Christ in his dominion. They are joint heirs with him, Rom. 8, 17. If we suffer, we shall reign with him, 2 Tim. 2, 12. In Dan. 7, 22 it was predicted that judgment (the right and power to judge) should be given to the saints of the Most High. Comp. Matt. 19, 28. Luke 22,