1. 1 Corinthians 6:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Summary

1 Corinthians 6:3 (ESV)

3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

Paul’s statement that believers will judge angels is difficult to understand, especially since the rest of Scripture is silent on this matter. There are two legitimate ways to understand this statement:

  1. On the day of judgment, after believers themselves have been judged and vindicated, they will participate in Christ’s judgment over unbelievers and over the fallen angels.

  2. The reference to angels is actually a reference to the church’s elders. This is the way in which the word is used in Revelation 2:1 – 3:22 and also in Malachi 2:7 (where God speaks of priests as messengers or angels). In that case, Paul’s point is that believers will judge false preachers and teachers.