Overview
The Bible addresses lawsuits across 13 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Corinthians, Proverbs and Matthew. Closely related themes include Strife, Fraternity, Litigation and Reproof.
Key Bible verses about lawsuits
Old Testament
Proverbs
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: a secret: or, the secret of
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
New Testament
Matthew
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
1 Corinthians
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
Studying lawsuits for yourself
- Begin with Proverbs 25:8, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 1 Corinthians, Proverbs and Matthew each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Strife, Fraternity, Litigation and Reproof.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about lawsuits?
The Bible addresses lawsuits across 13 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Corinthians, Proverbs and Matthew. Closely related themes include Strife, Fraternity, Litigation and Reproof.
How many Bible verses are about lawsuits?
The Bible references lawsuits in 13 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention lawsuits?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Proverbs 25:8: “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.”
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