and is consistent with what the Bible teaches of the subordi- nation of angels to Christ, and to the church in him.
4. If then ye have judgments of things pertaming to this hfe, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Paul laments that there were litigations among them ; but if they could not be avoided, Christians should act in reference to them in a manner consistent with their high destiny. Here the word (Kptr^pta), rendered judgments, seems so natu- rally to mean causes, things to be tried, that that sense of the word is almost universally assumed. It may, however, mean trials, judicial processes y which is more in accordance with the established use of the words. Set them to judge loho are least esteemed hi the church. The original admits of this translation. If the passage be so rendered, then it has a sar- castic tone. 'Set your least esteemed members to decide such matters.' It may, however, be read interrogatively, 'Do ye set as judges those least esteemed in (i. e. by) the church (that is, the heathen) ? ' This translation is generally preferred as best in keeping with the context. The sentence is emphatic. ' Those despised (see 1,28) by the church, — those do you set to judge ? ' It is an expression of surprise at their acting so unworthily of their high calling.
5. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you ? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren ?
I speak to your shame. That is, I desire to produce in you a sense of shame. This may refer either to what precedes or to what follows. It was adapted to make them ashamed that they had acted so unworthily of their dignity as Chris- tians ; and it was no less disgraceful to them to suppose that there was not in the church a single man fit to act as arbitra- tor. Who shall he able. The future here expresses what should or may happen. .Between his brethren ; literally, be- tween his brother / i. e. between his complaining brother and him against whom the complaint was brought.