In the first reading, we hear Paul reprimanding the believers in Corinth for betraying their own members by bringing disputes among them before pagan courts. Paul insists this should not be the way Christians behave. He reminds them that the world itself, and even angels, are to be judged by those who believe in the Gospel. For Christians, it is the law of love, which is held up as the standard of judgement. Is it not then, says Paul, that it is a scandal that even quarrels among believers are brought before pagan courts. Paul points out that when such quarrels arise among Christians, they must be settled in the community and by the community.

A bigger scandal, however, that there are even disputes among believers in the first place. Christians, by their baptism, have attained the divine grace to act towards each other in the same gracious way that God acts toward them. If, however, Christians merely desire to repay evil for evil and cheat their own, they will be judged by their own baptism and fail to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Today, we are reminded by Paul that Christians have to set a higher standard of thinking and acting, especially in the face of problems and disputes. Through our baptism, we have a new identity as children of God and disciples of Jesus. Therefore, we have to constantly examine our motives and action. Do we judge others based on the law of love or the law of the ‘world'?