"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (WEB)

Judeo-Christian world view for reconciliation and principles of conflict resolution.

The New Testament principle against lawsuits emphasizes resolving conflicts within the Christian community rather than in secular courts. Scripture teaches believers to prioritize forgiveness, peace, and the church's reputation over personal vindication through the legal system.

1. Lawsuits between Christian believers or the Church.

The apostle Paul's stern rebuke in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 provides the clearest instruction against lawsuits within the church. 

  •   A "defeat" for believers: Paul writes that for Christians to sue one another before secular, "unrighteous" courts is an outright "defeat" for the community.
  •   Church's poor witness: The spectacle of believers airing grievances in public discredits the Gospel in the eyes of unbelievers. Paul asks, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?".
    Better to suffer injustice: He suggests it is better to suffer injustice and be cheated by a fellow believer than to harm the reputation of the church. This attitude mirrors the self-sacrificial posture of Christ.
    The church's role:     Paul shames the Corinthians for failing to find a wise person within the congregation to arbitrate their disputes. He reminds them that since Christians will one day judge the world and even angels, they should be more than capable of settling trivial matters among themselves.

2. General principles of conflict resolution.

Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount provide the foundational principles for how believers should handle disputes.

  •   Turn the other cheek: In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus reinterprets the Old Testament "eye for an eye" law. He urges his followers not to retaliate against an evil person. In an example with legal connotations, he says, "If anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well".
  •   Reconcile quickly: Jesus also advises, "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way" (Matthew 5:25). This applies to all interpersonal conflicts and encourages a mindset of peaceful resolution before a situation escalates to formal proceedings.
  •   Confront sin biblically: Matthew 18:15-17 provides a clear three-step process for resolving conflict with another believer:

a. Go privately: Speak with the person directly and alone.

b. Involve witnesses: take one or two others

Confront sin Biblically: Matthew 18:15-17 provides a clear three-step process for resolving conflict with another believer:

a. Go privately: Speak with the person directly and alone.

b. Involve witnesses: Take one or two others with you.

c. Tell the church: If reconciliation still fails, bring the matter before the entire church.

d. Trust in God's ultimate justice

The New Testament directs Christians to stop the desire for personal vengeance, trusting that God is the ultimate judge.

  •   Romans 12:19 says, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord". This principle encourages believers to let go of bitterness and allow God to administer perfect justice.
  •   The overall pattern of New Testament teaching points Christians toward peacemaking, forgiveness, and endurance rather than toward using secular courts. 

Exceptions and discernment

While the New Testament strongly discourages lawsuits, especially between believers, some interpreters acknowledge that they are not outright forbidden in every instance. However, Paul himself appealed to the Roman legal system for his protection as a citizen (Acts 25:11).

Most commentators agree that the core principles apply to trivial civil matters between Christians. However, situations involving criminal acts, abuse, or the protection of the vulnerable may require legal recourse, and this should be pursued with a Christ-like attitude and motive.

The New Testament principle against lawsuits, especially between Christians, centers on prioritizing reconciliation and communal resolution over public litigation. Scripture teaches that believers' disputes should be settled internally, as bringing them before nonbelievers undermines the church's witness and reveals a spiritual failure.

Key biblical passages and teachings

1 Corinthians 6:1-8

In this passage, the Apostle Paul directly rebukes the Corinthian church for suing one another in secular courts. 

  •   The rebuke: Paul asks, "How is it that anyone of you, having a dispute against another, would dare to be judged before the iniquitous, and not before the saints?". He argues that fellow Christians, who will one day "judge the world," are more than competent to resolve "trivial cases".
  •   A "defeat": Paul declares,

"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?". This framing suggests that a lawsuit is a loss regardless of the verdict because it indicates a failure to live out Christian love and unity.

• Damaged witness: By bringing internal disputes to outside courts, the Corinthians were creating a public spectacle that damaged the church's reputation before non-believers.

Matthew 5:38-42

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught a radical ethic of non-retaliation that includes lawsuits.

  •   Turn the other cheek: In contrast to the Old Testament law of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," Jesus commanded, "if anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak as well". This instruction prioritizes mercy over retribution and calls believers to absorb wrongs rather than seek vengeance.
  •   Settle quickly: Jesus also advised, "Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court" (Matthew 5:25). This urges believers to seek reconciliation and a peaceful settlement before a dispute escalates. 

Matthew 18:15-17

Jesus outlined a step-by-step process for resolving disputes within the church community. 

  1.   Go privately: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone".
  2.   Take witnesses: If the person will not listen, take "one or two others along" to mediate.
  3.   Tell the church: If the person still refuses to listen, the matter should be brought before the church body.
  4.   Final step: If the offender refuses to listen to the church, they are to be regarded as a non-believer. 

Christian alternatives to lawsuits

"A tooth for a tooth," Jesus commanded, "if anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak as well". This instruction prioritizes mercy over retribution and calls believers to absorb wrongs rather than seek vengeance.

• Settle quickly: Jesus also advised, "Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court" (Matthew 5:25). This urges believers to seek reconciliation and a peaceful settlement before a dispute escalates.

Matthew 18:15-17

Again, Jesus outlined a step-by-step process for resolving disputes within the church community. a

  1.   Go privately: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone".
  2.   Take witnesses: If the person will not listen, take "one or two others along" to mediate.
  3.   Tell the church: If the person still refuses to listen, the matter should be brought before the church body.
  4.   Final step: If the offender refuses to listen to the church, they are to be regarded as a non-believer. 

Based on these principles, Christian communities are encouraged to use specific methods for conflict resolution that prioritize reconciliation and healing. 

  •   Conciliation: An initial, private conversation between the individuals involved to seek peace.
  •   Mediation: If conciliation fails, a neutral third party (often a mature believer) can be brought in to help facilitate an amicable resolution.
  •   Arbitration: As a last resort, Christian arbitration involves appointing a neutral third party to hear the case and render a binding decision, keeping the dispute out of secular court.

Exceptions and considerations

While Scripture discourages lawsuits, especially between believers, some limited exceptions and factors are often considered by Christians and biblical scholars. For example: Situations involving criminal acts, abuse, or the protection of the vulnerable may require legal recourse, and this should be pursued with a Christ-like attitude and motive.

  •   Protecting the vulnerable: Some argue that legal action may be necessary to protect the weak, innocent, or vulnerable of children or adults from persistent, progressive or severe injustice, including matters involving Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, anti-depressants  and other legal drug and alcohol substances which may contribute to violent outbreaks.
  •   Defending oneself: When a Christian is sued, they have the right to defend themselves. Paul, a Roman citizen, used the legal system to his advantage for protection, demonstrating that all legal recourse is not inherently forbidden.
  •   Disputes with non-believers: While the focus is on internal church conflicts, some interpretations extend the principle of non-retaliation to disputes with non-believers, arguing it is a powerful Christian witness to prioritize forgiveness and peace.

 

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