1 Corinthians 6:3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 6:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?
1 Corinthians 6:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Know ye not that we shall judge angels, etc.] Meaning not the ministers of the Gospel, and pastors of churches, called “angels”, (<660120>Revelation 1:20) whose doctrines are examined, tried, and judged by the saints, according to the word of God; nor the good angels, who, were it possible that they could, or should publish a Gospel contrary to what has been preached by the apostle, would be contradicted, condemned, and accursed by him, (see <480108>Galatians 1:8,9) but the evil angels, the devil and his angels: and this is to be understood not of their future final judgment and condemnation at the last day, when saints will subscribe unto, and approve of the sentence pronounced upon them,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“judge angels--namely, bad angels. We who are now "a spectacle to angels" shall then "judge angels." The saints shall join in approving the final sentence of the Judge on them (Jde 1:6). Believers shall, as administrators of the kingdom under Jesus, put down all rule that is hostile to God. Perhaps, too, good angels shall then receive from the Judge, with the approval of the saints, higher honors.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shall judge angels - All the angels that shall be judged, good or bad. Probably the reference is to fallen angels, as there is no account that holy angels will then undergo a trial. The sense is, “Christians will be qualified to see the justice of even the sentence which is pronounced on fallen angels. They will be able so to embrace and comprehend the nature of law, and the interests of justice, as to see the propriety of their condemnation. And if they can so far enter into these important and eternal relations, assuredly they ought to be regarded as qualified to discern the nature of justice ‘among men,’ and to settle the unimportant differences which may arise in the church.” Or,…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“judge: Mat 25:41; Pe2 2:4; Jde 1:6 pertain: Co1 6:4; Psa 17:14; Luk 8:14, Luk 21:34; Ti2 2:4, Ti2 4:10 1 Corinthians 6:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification