Law-suits
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In biblical times, the concept of law-suits and legal disputes was addressed within the framework of the Mosaic Law and the teachings of the New Testament. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should handle conflicts and seek justice, emphasizing principles of fairness, integrity, and reconciliation.

Old Testament Context

The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, included detailed instructions on resolving disputes and administering justice. Judges were appointed to hear cases and make decisions based on God's laws. Exodus 18:21-22 describes the appointment of capable men to serve as judges: "But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times."

The Law emphasized impartiality and fairness 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 addressed the issue of disputes among believers. Jesus taught the importance of reconciliation and resolving conflicts privately. In Matthew 5:25 , 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."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on handling disputes within the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 , Paul admonishes believers for taking their disputes before secular courts: "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! ... The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?"

Principles for Believers

The Bible encourages believers to seek resolution through wisdom, patience, and mutual understanding. Proverbs 25:8-9 advises, "Do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence."

Believers are called to live peaceably with others and to pursue reconciliation over litigation. Romans 12:18 states, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." The emphasis is on maintaining unity and love within the body of Christ, reflecting the character of God in all interactions.

Conclusion

The biblical approach to law-suits underscores the importance of justice, integrity, and reconciliation. While legal systems are necessary for maintaining order, Scripture encourages believers to resolve disputes within the community of faith, prioritizing peace and unity.
Greek
2917. krima -- a judgment
... Word Origin from krino Definition a judgment NASB Word Usage condemnation (8), judgment
(15), judgments (1), lawsuits (1), sentence (1), sentence of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2917.htm - 7k
Library

Problems of Casuistry
... in wishing it judged outside the Church, if the apostle had not added immediately,
"Now therefore the whole fault among you is that you have lawsuits with one ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxi problems of casuistry.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... The Corinthians are exhorted to cast out the incestuous person, 5:1-13; to desist
from lawsuits before the unrighteous, 6:1-11; and to flee from fornication, 6 ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the.htm

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your ...
... Nor hath he said, "If then ye have secular law-suits, bring them before us;" or,
"Appoint us to judge them;" but, "Them which are contemptible in the Church ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 37 we are not.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, "If Thou Wouldest Enter ...
... Do we not hear and see men when they are involved in some tribulations and distresses,
in law-suits or sicknesses and they see that they are in travail, do we ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxiv on the words.htm

Correspondence of St. Chrysostom with the Bishop of Rome.
... but knowing as we did the laws of the fathers, and paying respect and deference
to the man, and having also his own letters which prove that lawsuits ought not ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/correspondence of st chrysostom with 2.htm

Samech.
... [5299] ...Certainly, on account of those who carry on law suits pertinaciously with
one another, and, when they harass the good, scorn our judgments, and cause ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/samech.htm

What are the Duties Required in the Eighth Commandment?
... the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling,
and diligence in it; frugality; avoiding unnecessary lawsuits and suretyship ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 141 0 0 what are the.htm

What are the Sins Forbidden in the Eighth Commandment?
... and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression,
extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust enclosures and ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 142 0 0 what are the.htm

Miracle Performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas Formerly of ...
... Perceiving that the ecclesiastics made a merchandise of the contentions of those
engaged in law-suits, he would never nominate any one of the clergy as judge ...
/.../chapter xxxvii miracle performed by silvanus.htm

But Perhaps those Seem to You Weak-Minded and Silly...
... you have stamped on your memory the Fornix of Lucilius, [3435] and Marsyas of Pomponius;
because you know what the issues to be proposed in lawsuits are, how ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/6 but perhaps those seem.htm

Thesaurus
Lawsuits (4 Occurrences)
...Lawsuits (4 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 6:7 Therefore it is already altogether
a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. ...
/l/lawsuits.htm - 7k

Law-suits (1 Occurrence)
Law-suits. Lawsuits, Law-suits. Law-teachers . Multi-Version Concordance
Law-suits (1 Occurrence). ... (WEY). Lawsuits, Law-suits. Law-teachers . Reference ...
/l/law-suits.htm - 6k

Defect (62 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 6:7: "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you (the King James
Version "there is utterly a fault among you"), that ye have lawsuits one with ...
/d/defect.htm - 25k

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is
to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defense of ...
/l/lawyer.htm - 14k

Defective (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 6:7: "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you (the King James
Version "there is utterly a fault among you"), that ye have lawsuits one with ...
/d/defective.htm - 8k

Oath (286 Occurrences)
... It played a very important part, not only in lawsuits (Exodus 22:11 Leviticus
6:3, 5) and state affairs (Ant., XV, x, 4), but also in the dealings of everyday ...
/o/oath.htm - 47k

Law-teachers (1 Occurrence)
Law-teachers. Law-suits, Law-teachers. Law-transgressor . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY). Law-suits, Law-teachers. Law-transgressor . Reference Bible.
/l/law-teachers.htm - 6k

Lawsuit (4 Occurrences)

/l/lawsuit.htm - 7k

Wronged (22 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). 1 Corinthians 6:7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you,
that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? ...
/w/wronged.htm - 13k

Resources
What is Orthodox Judaism? | GotQuestions.org

What should Christians learn from the Mosaic Law? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between the ceremonial law, the moral law, and the judicial law in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

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