The New Testament makes it clear that there is one lawgiver and judge (James 4:12) God the Father has given all judgment to His Son Jesus Christ (John 5:22). While these passages are clear, Paul reminds the saints in Corinth,

“know ye not that we shall judge angels?” (1 Cor. 6:3a).

Does the New Testament contradict itself? If not, what does Paul mean by saints judging angels?

The Greek word translated “judge” is krinw (pronounced Krino), which denotes someone “determining, or choosing so as to pronounce judgment”. Members of the church in Corinth were instigating lawsuits against one another, and going before the unbelievers of the world for judgment.

( 1Corinthians 6:1-6). To shame them Paul puts them in mind of what their actions constitute with regard to the overall purpose of God and the plan of salvation. “Angels” (aggelouj), which means “a messenger”, is used here in reference to messengers of God from heaven, and is not applied to messengers such as Paul and others preaching the gospel. The angels of God had an indisputable role in the revealing God’s plan of salvation from the Old Testament to the New Testament. This is evidenced from countless passages throughout the Bible, but Peter summed it up by saying…

“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1Pet. 1:12) 

So a possible way that God’s people could judge the world and angels without usurping the authority of the one judge (Jesus Christ) is that the Christian’s decision to follow the Lord’s standard of righteousness passes judgment upon the unrighteous decisions of the world. It would also place the tasks performed by the “angels” used by God, as He revealed His plan of salvation over the course of time, in perspective. Noah’s faith was made perfect through his total obedience in preparing the ark, and those actions had the effect of condemning the world:

“through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

The word “condemn” in the above passage is translated from the Greek verb “katakrino” (katakrinw). It is an intensified form of “krino”, the same word Paul uses in regards to judging the world and angels. The word used in Hebrews 11:7 is defined in the following manner,

 “By one’s good example to render another’s wickedness the more evident and censurable.” (Thayers)

 As people make choices to live righteously according to God’s law, they distinguish themselves from the unrighteous of this world. They truly live as “Saints”. Jesus will point out the differences of character between the righteous and the unrighteous, making this distinction on the Judgment Day (Matthew 25:31-46).

The choices we make, and live out, in this life not only determine our eternal destiny, but the same determined choices will reflect “the light” for those who are without God, or visa versa. And that is a reflection not only on the angels God has sent from time to time in various ways in the development of His plan, but it is a reflection on all those which have faithfully served God’s purposes throughout time.