1 Corinthians 6:4

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If then you have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

Therefore the apostle wished wise, holy, and faithful persons who were well established in the various places to be judges of such matters, and not persons who, in preaching, traveled about here and there… If wise judges were lacking, he wished even the lowly and contemptible to be appointed so that the affairs of Christians might not be brought to the public eye.

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Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

Set them to judge who are least esteemed, rather than the heathen.

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Cyprian of Carthage

AD 258

Moreover, also, the Apostle Paul says: "Be ye imitators of me, as I also am of Christ."

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

Set them to judge, who are the most despised in the Church. Rather make choice of Christians of lesser parts and talents, than have recourse to infidels, who will be scandalized at the injuries and injustice done by Christians to each other. Besides you cannot but have some wise men among you to decide such matters. (Witham) St. Paul does not here mean to tell the Corinthians that they must choose the most despised and the most ignorant, but he wishes to inform them that if there were none but men of this description in the Church, it would still be much more preferable to appoint these judges than to go to law before idolatrous judges. (Estius) It is plainly a fault, weakness in you to run to such heathen judges: you should rather bear, and put up with the injuries done to you. A fault. Law-suits can hardly ever be without a fault, on one side or the other; and oftentimes on both sides. (Challoner)

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Wishing to instruct us as forcibly as possible that they ought not to commit themselves to those without, whatsoever the matter may be; having raised what seemed to be an objection, he answers it in the first instance. For what he says is something like this: Perhaps some one will say, No one among you is wise, nor competent to pass sentence; all are contemptible. Now what follows? Even though none be wise, says he, I bid you entrust things to those who are of least weight.

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Severian of Gabala

AD 425

The lowest person in the church is preferable in judgment to an unbeliever. .

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Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation - 2 Peter 1:20