20260520 [새벽묵상] 세상과 다른 성도의 삶을 살라 Live Differently: Kingdom Standards in a Litigious World (고전/1Cor 6:1~11)

6:1 너희 중에 누가 다른 이와 더불어 다툼이 있는데 구태여 불의한 자들 앞에서 고발하고 성도 앞에서 하지 아니하느냐

6:2 성도가 세상을 판단할 것을 너희가 알지 못하느냐 세상도 너희에게 판단을 받겠거든 지극히 작은 일 판단하기를 감당하지 못하겠느냐

6:3 우리가 천사를 판단할 것을 너희가 알지 못하느냐 그러하거든 하물며 세상 일이랴

6:4 그런즉 너희가 세상 사건이 있을 때에 교회에서 경히 여김을 받는 자들을 세우느냐

6:5 내가 너희를 부끄럽게 하려 하여 이 말을 하노니 너희 가운데 그 형제간의 일을 판단할 만한 지혜있는 자가 이같이 하나도 없느냐

6:6 형제가 형제와 더불어 송사할 뿐더러 믿지 아니하는 자들 앞에서 하느냐

[Lawsuits Among Believers]

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

6:7 너희가 피차 고발 함으로 너희 가운데 이미 뚜렷한 허물이 있나니 차라리 불의를 당하는 것이 낫지 아니하며 차라리 속는 것이 낫지 아니하냐

6:8 너희는 불의를 행하고 속이는구나 그는 너희 형제로다

6:9 불의한 자가 하나님의 나라를 유업으로 받지 못할 줄을 알지 못하느냐 미혹을 받지 말라 음행하는 자나 우상 숭배하는 자나 간음하는 자나 탐색하는 자나 남색하는 자나

6:10 도적이나 탐욕을 부리는 자나 술취하는 자나 모욕하는 자나 속여 빼앗는 자들은 하나님의 나라를 유업으로 받지 못하리라

6:11 너희 중에 이와 같은 자들이 있더니 주 예수 그리스도의 이름과 우리 하나님의 성령 안에서 씻음과 거룩함과 의롭다 하심을 받았느니라

7 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? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

            저희 청년부에 한 청년이 감사하게도 야구장 티켓을 기증했습니다. 그래서 지난 주일에 저희 청년부는 Tacoma Rainiers 야구 경기를 함께 보러 갔었습니다. 경기를 보고 있는데 포수 뒤쪽을 시작으로 파울라인 전체에 높게 그물망이 쳐져 있더라구요. 제 기억에 보스턴의 Fenway구장에는 이런 그물망은 없었던 것 같아서 저게 왜 쳐져 있냐 물어보았습니다. 그랬더니 예전에 어떤 사람이 펜스를 넘어간 파울볼에 맞은 적이 있는데 하필이면 그 사람이 변호사였다고 합니다. 그래서 소송을 걸어서 승소했대요. 막대한 위자료를 받았답니다. 그래서 그 뒤로 저렇게 그물망을 쳤다고 해요. 우리는 미국에 살면서 이런 이야기를 무척 자주 듣습니다. 뭐 공원에서 미끌어졌는데 공원을 고소한다던지 커피를 받았는데 너무 뜨거워서 고소한다던지, 오죽하면 미국의 별명이 소송의 나라이지요. 자 그렇다면 교회 안에서 성도 간에 돈 문제나 재산의 문제가 발생했을 때는 어떻게 해야할까요? 소송의 나라에 사는 이점을 듬뿍 살려 서로를 고소해야 할까요? 바울은 조금 다른 이야기를 합니다. 오늘은 “세상과 다른 성도의 삶을 살라” 라는 제목으로 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

[Introduction: The Land of Lawsuits]

Recently, thanks to a generous donation from one of our youth members, our young adult group went to see a Tacoma Rainiers baseball game. While watching, I noticed high netting stretching from behind home plate all the way down the foul lines. I didn't recall seeing such extensive netting at Fenway Park in Boston, so I asked why it was there.

I was told that in the past, someone was hit by a foul ball that went over the fence. As it happened, that person was a lawyer. He sued the stadium, won the case, and received a massive settlement. Since then, the netting has stayed up. Living in America, we hear stories like this all the time—someone slipping in a park and suing the city, or someone suing over a cup of coffee being too hot. America is often nicknamed the "Land of Lawsuits."

So, what should happen when financial or property disputes arise between believers within the church? Should we take full advantage of living in this litigious society and sue one another? Paul has a very different story to tell. Today, I want to share a message titled: “Live a Life Different from the World.”

            바울이 고린도교회에 지적하는 것들이 있었습니다. 어제의 본문은 교회 안에 음행하는 자를 모두가 알면서도 묵인하고 있는 것에 대해, 오늘은 교회 안에서 서로를 고소하는 일에 대해서 이야기 합니다. 그런데 바울은 교회 안의 재정적인 다툼을 세상 법정에 고소하는 것을 책망하고 있습니다. 왜 그럴까요? 그 이유를 바울은 이렇게 이야기합니다. 첫번째, 성도는 세상 사람들과는 다른 사람들입니다. 다른 것도 그냥 다른 것이 아니고 세상보다 더 높은 위치에 있는 사람들입니다. 2절을 함께 읽겠습니다. “성도가 세상을 판단할 것을 너희가 알지 못하느냐 세상도 너희에게 판단을 받겠거든 지극히 작은 일 판단하기를 감당하지 못하겠느냐?” 성도가 세상을 판단한다. 무슨 말일까요? 뒤에 나오는 3절을 보니 아니, 심지어 “우리가 천사를 판단할 것”이라고 말하고 있습니다. 자, 가만히 보시면 성도가 판단 하였다는 과거가 아니라 판단 할 것, 즉 미래를 가르키는 말이지요. 이 미래는 예수님의 재림을 뜻하는 것입니다. 지금 저희도 예수님을 기다리고 있지만 초대교회는 예수님이 정말 ‘곧’ 오실 것이라고 믿고 있었습니다. 그리고 예수님이 오시면 공의로운 최후의 심판을 하실텐데 그 심판은 성도에게는 최고의 승리와 기쁨의 순간이지요. 왜냐하면 요한계시록 20:4-5을 보면 성도는 심판의 대상이 아니라 세상을 심판하는 권세를 받았다고 말하고 있기 때문입니다. 제가 읽어보겠습니다. “또 내가 보좌들을 보니 거기에 앉은 자들이 있어 심판하는 권세를 받았더라…그들의 이마와 손에 그의 표를 받지 아니한 자들이 살아서 그리스도와 더불어 천 년 동안 왕 노릇 하니… 이는 첫째 부활이라” 예수님이 오시면 성도는 심판하는 권세를 받고 왕 노릇한다, 즉 예수님과 함께 다스린다는 것입니다. 비록 그들이 지금은 로마의 통치아래에 있지만 그들의 진짜 신분은 하나님의 통치 아래있는 하나님 나라의 백성인 것이지요. 그들이 자신의 진짜 신분을 기억한다면 그들이 어찌 성도들 간의 다툼을 정작 그들의 심판을 받게 될 세상으로 가져가냐는 것입니다. 그들이 세상과 다른 것처럼 그들 사이의 다툼도 세상과는 다르게 해결해야 하는 것이지요. 그래서 바울은 말합니다. “차라리 불의를 당하는 것이 낫지아니하며 차라리 속는 것이 낫지 아니하냐.” 

[1. Remember Your True Status (v. 1-6)]

Paul points out several issues in the Corinthian church. Yesterday, we looked at how they ignored blatant immorality; today, he addresses the issue of believers taking each other to court. Paul rebukes them for bringing internal financial disputes before worldly judges. Why?

His first reason is that believers are different from the world. Not just different, but occupying a much higher standing. Let’s look at verse 2: “Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?”

What does it mean that the saints will judge the world? Verse 3 even says, “Do you not know that we will judge angels?” Notice that this is in the future tense—"will judge." This points to the Second Coming of Jesus. While we are waiting for Him now, the early church believed Jesus would return very "soon." When He returns, He will execute a righteous final judgment. For believers, this is a moment of ultimate victory and joy because, according to Revelation 20:4-5, the saints are not the objects of judgment but are given the authority to judge.

Those who did not receive the mark of the beast will reign with Christ for a thousand years. This is the "First Resurrection." If believers are destined to reign and judge with Christ, how can they take their disputes to be judged by the world—the very world they are destined to judge? Their true citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. If they remember their true identity, they must resolve their disputes differently. This is why Paul says, “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”

            자, 바울이 이들을 책망하는 두번째 이유가 여기 있습니다. 그것은 그들이 이런 소송전을 하는 것은 그들 안에 불의한 탐욕이 있다는 것입니다. 7절입니다. “너희가 피차 고발함으로 너희 가운데 이미 뚜렷한 허물이 있나니,” 즉, 서로를 고소한다는 것 자체가 이미 이들이 완전히 패소했다는 것을 보여준다고 합니다. 싸움을 걸기도 전에 이미 졌다는 것이지요. 그리고 그들에게 묻습니다. 도대체 왜 불의에 넘어가 주지 않습니까? 도대체 왜 속아주지 못합니까? 이 말은 그들이 서로를 고소하고 다투는 이면에는 탐욕이 있는 것이 아니냐? 그렇지 않다면 도대체 무슨 연유로 그렇게 하느냐? 라는 말인 것이지요. 개역개정에는 생략되어 있지만 8절은 ‘오히려’ ‘반대로’ 라는 말로 시작하고 있습니다. ‘그렇게 하지는 못할 망정 너희는 오히려 불의를 행하고 속인다. 그것도 너희 형제들을!’ 이라고 바울은 개탄하고 있는 것입니다. 그들 안에 있는 탐욕이 서로에게 불의를 행하고 서로를 속이고 있던 것이고 그들은 그 탐욕때문에 겉잡을 수 없이 서로를 고소하며 진흙탕 싸움까지 마다하지 않는 것입니다. 그래서 바울은 9-10절의 말씀으로 그들에게 불의를 행한자들이 어떤 결과를 맞이하는지 다시 한번 상기시킵니다. “…속여 빼앗는 자들은 하나님의 나라를 유업으로 받지 못하리라” 겉으로는 세상의 질서와 법을 따르는 것마냥 서로에게 법의 잣대를 들이미는 그들에게 바울은 그들의 마음의 중심에 불의함과 탐욕, 속임수와 빼앗음이 있음을 드러내고 있는 것이지요. 이것은 이들을 향한 책망이요 경고입니다.

[2. The Root of Injustice: Greed (v. 7-10)]

The second reason Paul rebukes them is that these lawsuits reveal an underlying unrighteous greed. Verse 7 says, “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.” In other words, before the judge even bangs the gavel, they have already lost the spiritual battle.

Paul asks them: "Why can't you just accept the injustice? Why can't you let yourselves be cheated?" He is implying that the only reason they won't let it go is because of greed. If there were no greed, what reason would they have to fight so bitterly?

In verse 8, Paul laments: “Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters!” Their greed was driving them to do wrong and cheat their own family in Christ, leading to "mud-slinging" battles in public courts. Paul then reminds them of the consequence of such unrighteousness in verses 9–10: “...nor thieves nor the greedy... nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” Behind the mask of seeking "legal justice," Paul exposes their hearts filled with greed and deception. This is a stern warning.

말씀을 맺습니다. 그러나 바울은 거기서 끝맺음을 하지 않습니다. 그것은 이전의 너희들이다. 너희의 옛사람이다. 지금 너희는 예수 그리스도의 이름과 하나님의 성령 안에서 씻음과 거룩함과 의롭다 하심을 받았다. 그러니 옛사람의 일을 벗어버리라고 강권하고 있는 것입니다. 세상을 살아가는 우리들은 너무나 쉽게 우리가 누구인지 잊게 되는 것 같습니다. 비록 우리는 이 땅 위에 살아가지만 우리는 하늘 나라, 하나님 나라의 백성들입니다. 우리의 육신은 예수님과 하나되어 십자가에서 죽었고 이제 우리는 새 사람이 되어 죄씻음과 거룩함과 의롭다 함을 받은 사람들입니다. 그러므로 우리는 이 땅에서 성도로서 살아야 합니다. 세상의 기준과 방법이 아니라 하나님 나라의 기준과 방법대로 말입니다. 기도하시겠습니다.

[Conclusion: You are New Creations (v. 11)]

However, Paul does not end with a rebuke. He reminds them of who they are now in verse 11: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

He is saying, "That greed and injustice—that was your old self. But now, you are new." We often forget who we are while living in this world. Though we walk on this earth, we are citizens of heaven. Our old selves died on the cross with Jesus, and we have been made new—washed, holy, and righteous.

Therefore, let us live as saints. Let us live not by the standards and methods of this world, but by the standards and methods of the Kingdom of God.

Let us pray.