Three Courts of Appeal: From Men to Conscience to Christ

The Corinthian church was fractured by the Greek vice of factional loyalty, with Paul, Peter, and Apollos elevated as rival champions. Yet these three apostles themselves stood in closest friendship, united as servants of one Master. This paradox illuminates Paul's doctrine of the three tribunals.

First stands the lowest court: human judgment. Paul acknowledges its power—his letters crackle with evidence that he felt keenly the slanders and hostile criticism of opponents. The "terrible court which is always sitting" passes sentence upon us all, whether we hear the verdict or not. Yet Paul declares, 'With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you.' This is not brusqueness or contempt. Rather, he gives such estimates their due weight while recognizing they need not be final.

From this lowest tribunal, appeal lies to a second: the court of one's own conscience. Here the verdict carries greater authority. Yet even conscience cannot pronounce the final absolution. A Christian may achieve the approval of his own heart and still stand uncertain.

The supreme court is Jesus Christ alone. As stewards of the mysteries of God—dispensers of truths long hidden but now revealed—Paul and his fellow-laborers answer only to the Lord of the household. What He thinks about each of us constitutes the judgment that matters eternally. Being responsible to Him, they could heed very little what others thought. Being responsible to Him, they dared not rest in conscience's vindication as ultimate.