Paul's appeal to the Corinthians not to drag fellow Christians into court would not sit well with many people in the modern world. In too many of our societies, there are too many people too prone to litigation. We have in many instances become a society of blamers.

This is not to say that there are never any instances which demand juridical decisions in a court of law. Given the structure of our societies, court proceedings are frequently the only way to attain justice. We should always remember, however, that a verdict in one's favour may not be a matter of justice. Legality and justice can often be almost contradictory.

Reflecting on Paul's teaching, it is important to see that attitudes are important. If Paul were writing nowadays, he would no doubt use different expressions, but he would still promote the same Christian attitudes, which are essentially attitudes of tolerance, patience, understanding.

We may never find ourselves in a situation meriting Paul's strictures. His call to holiness, however, is addressed to all of us. We have been "washed, consecrated, justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." Paul desires that we should live our lives according to these high graces.