But wait, there are a few things that have always perplexed me about this whole notion of us “judging” and “reigning” and being the ruler over 5 to 10 cities.
1. In the passage you quoted, it’s hard to know how the Corinthians would be expected to already know that the saints will “judge” the world and angels. Which angels? The ones held in chains in 2 Peter and Jude? How would they know that and why would Paul speak as if they should know it? Where’s he getting that idea from? And if these angels are already in chains awaiting judgment, haven’t they been (in some sense) judged already? What’s the point of our judging them? What will they be judged for? It doesn’t quite say. What happens if there’s a hung jury? Will God allow us to reverse His decision?
2. Paul just got though saying: “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. (1 Cor 5:12-13 NKJV)”. So which is it Paul, are we the judges of the world or is it God? How do we square that with the scores of other scriptures that say God alone is the sole judge of all men? (Acts 17:31, Rom 2, 2Tim 4:1, Heb 10:30, Heb 12:23, etc. etc.)
3. Why is it that this role of judge is always changing hands in scripture? One minute, God is the judge of sinners, the next it’s the saints, the next it’s cities, and better yet, sometimes it may even be demons. Jesus speaking to the Pharisees says:
Matt 12:26-28
26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
NKJV
So, who is the “they” in this passage? The demons? The “sons” (disciples) of the Pharisees? So in what way should we take these words? Are either of these options saying that righteous people will be the Pharisees judges? I think there is hyperbole in use here that is not at all uncommon in scripture. Judging needs to be done by a standard. We often see that words and actions are used as metaphorical personifications of the standard by which people are judged. Jesus says to the wicked servant:
Luke 19:22
'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. NKJV
He also personified His words as that which judges:
John 12:47-48
47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
NKJV
So when Paul says we are going to “judge” the world and angels, could it not be said that it is actually God doing the judging through the standard of obedience to God set by those who are obedient? And as such, is he not saying that since that is so, let us be found worthy of that standard by being obedient to the command of Christ to “love one another” (as opposed to suing one another).
Anyway, that makes the most sense to me and seems to harmonize the rest of the scriptures that emphasize God as the exclusive sovereign judge of all. And to be quite honest, I have no desire to rule over or judge anyone, including angels. I take comfort that an all-knowing, all-loving, merciful and just God has that job.
