12 Taking Another Believer to Civil Court

Here was an additional divider of the Church at Corinth. They were taking their disputes between each other to the civil court system. He is not saying we must not use the civil courts. He is saying that believers, and that means true born again believers, should not sue each other in the civil courts to resolve disputes. God will not work in believers that are in a state of sin. Therefore when they are at odds with each other and unwilling to peaceable settle the issues through mediators with their own congregations they are said to exist in a state of sin. If we have an issue with another believer we must use the Lord’s plan in Matthew 18 not our own. We have to trust genuine believers to clearly evaluate our disputes and allow them to provide a settlement to these situations.
This does not mean that we are not to use the court systems at all. We can use them when the law decides to provide retribution for crimes against us (Lex Talionis). Or we can use it against an unbeliever if the situation is grave enough that it is warranted. One should consult with other believers first to determine the feasibility of such an action.