Lawsuits

How Nave’s arranged it

• To be avoidedProverbs 25:8–10Matthew 5:25Matthew 5:261 Corinthians 6:1–8
• See Actions at Law
• See Adjudication
• See Arbitration
• See Compromise
• See Courts
• See Justice

The passages, in Bible order (4)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 4 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Proverbs 25:8–10

   do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

   ›Commentary on Proverbs 25:8–102 voices

   “(Compare Pr 3:30). lest . . . shame--lest you do what you ought not, when shamed by defeat, or "lest thou art shut out from doing any thing." 9, 10. (Compare Mt 5:25, Margin). secret--that is, of your opponent, for his disadvantage, and so you be disgraced, not having discussed your difficulties with him.

   “Go not forth hastily to strive - לרב lerib, to enter into a lawsuit. Keep from this pit or the bottomless deep, unless urged by the direst necessity.

   Everything gathered on Proverbs 25:8–10→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Matthew 5:25

   Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 5:252 voices

   “The word here in our Latin books is 'consentiens,' in Greek, εὐνοῶν, which means, 'kind,' 'benevolent.' Some, from that verse of Peter, Your adversary the Devil, &c. (1 Pet. 5:8.) will have the Saviour's command to be, that we should be merciful to the Devil, not causing him to endure punishment for our sakes. For as he puts in our way the incentives to vice, if we yield to his suggestions, he will be tormented for our sakes.

   “Agree with thine adversary quickly - This is still an illustration of the sixth commandment. To be in hostility, to go to law, to be litigious, is a violation always, on one side or the other, of the law requiring us to love our neighbor, and our Saviour regards it as a violation of the sixth commandment. While you are in the way with him, says he, that is, while you are going to the court, before the trial has taken place, it is your duty, if possible, to come to an agreement.

   Everything gathered on Matthew 5:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Matthew 5:26

   Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 5:262 voices

   “The concluding words--"Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out," &c.--manifestly show that though the language is drawn from human disputes and legal procedure, He is dealing with a higher than any human quarrel, a higher than any human tribunal, a higher than any human and temporal sentence.

   “From the preceding and subsequent passages, it is clear that our Lord and Savior, while we run on the path of this world, encourages us to peace and harmony, according to the Apostle, who says: If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men (Rom. XII, 18).

   Everything gathered on Matthew 5:26→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. 1 Corinthians 6:1–8

   If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!

   ›Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1–82 voices

   “The unjust - The heathens. A Christian could expect no justice from these. The saints - Who might easily decide these smaller differences in a private and friendly manner.

   “Dare any of you This is the first statement -- that, if any one has a controversy with a brother, it ought to be decided before godly judges, and that it ought not to be before those that are ungodly. If the reason is asked, I have already said, that it is because disgrace is brought upon the gospel, and the name of Christ is held up as it were to the scoffings of the ungodly.

   Everything gathered on 1 Corinthians 6:1–8→

   Verse page →Original language →