Introduction

The concept of going to court, or seeking legal resolution through judicial systems, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide guidance on how believers should approach disputes, emphasizing principles of justice, reconciliation, and the pursuit of peace. The Bible encourages believers to resolve conflicts within the community of faith and to seek wisdom and discernment in legal matters.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the legal system was integral to the governance of Israel. The Mosaic Law provided detailed instructions on handling disputes and administering justice. Judges were appointed to ensure that justice was served fairly and impartially. Exodus 18:21-22 describes the appointment of capable men as judges: "But select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times."

The Law emphasized fairness and impartiality in legal proceedings. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles provide further guidance on resolving disputes. Jesus emphasizes reconciliation and forgiveness over legal action. In Matthew 5:25-26 , He advises, "Reconcile quickly with your adversary while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of lawsuits among believers in 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 . He admonishes the Corinthian church for taking disputes before secular courts rather than resolving them within the church community: "If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ... Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to your shame. Is it really possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!"

Principles for Believers

The Bible encourages believers to seek resolution through reconciliation and mediation rather than litigation. The emphasis is on maintaining unity and peace within the body of Christ. Believers are called to exercise wisdom, discernment, and humility in resolving conflicts. The pursuit of justice should be balanced with mercy and forgiveness, reflecting the character of God.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the role of legal systems in society, it calls believers to a higher standard of resolving disputes. The principles of justice, reconciliation, and community accountability are central to the biblical approach to going to court.1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
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1 Corinthians 6:1-10
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
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1 Corinthians 6:6-7
But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
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Matthew 5:21-26
You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
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Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
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4254. proago -- to lead forth, to go before
... go before Definition: (a) trans: I lead forth; in the judicial sense, into court,
(b) intrans ... former (1), get (1), go ahead (4), goes too far (1), going ahead (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4254.htm - 7k

That those who are Going to Carry their Case to Court Should be ...
... But if receiving only a formed letter to Rome, and saying nothing about the necessity
which he had of going to court, he willed immediately to go thither, let ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon cvi greek cix that.htm

Bishop Gaudentius Said: These Things Wholesomely, Duly, and Fitly ...
... If, however, as your holiness mentioned above, he is going to Court to urge petitions
and applications for office, let neither his letters be signed nor let ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xx bishop gaudentius said .htm

Bishop Hosius Said: this Also Let Your Sagacity Determine...
... First, that the bishop in going to Court should not fall under suspicion either
at Court or of his own people that he was approaching the Prince to obtain some ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon viii bishop hosius said .htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real ...
She hurried to the outer court, whispering anxiously: "Come, son of Varro. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

The Court of the Gentiles. The Mountain of the House, in the ...
... And some vessels of stone were fastened to the wall of the steps going up into the
Women's Court, and their covers are seen in the Common Court." ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 28 the court of.htm

At Court
... He went to Court in the old cassock in which he went about his daily work, and which
was probably the only one he had. "You are not going to the palace in that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 8 at court.htm

The Gate of Nicanor, or the East Gate of the Court of Israel.
... The Levites, with harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets, and infinite other musical
instruments, stood upon the fifteen steps going down out of the Court of Israel ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 30 the gate of.htm

Going Home
... made a new glory for His Mother, and all the saints made a court about her ... go to
heaven, asked Saint Lawrence to intercede for him that his home-going might be ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter xiv going home.htm

The Denial of St. Peter
... The exterior court was quite filled with persons, and some had climbed on to the
top of the wall to listen to what was going on in the inner court which they ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter x the denial of.htm

The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon the Conflagration of the ...
... Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night
into the inner [court of the temple,] as their custom was, to perform their ...
/.../chapter 5 the great distress.htm

Going to Heaven - how can I guarantee my eternal destination? | GotQuestions.org

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Going: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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