I CORINTHIANS 6:3

Q:  Paul states “Do you not know that we will judge angels?” What is meant by that?

The bottom line is that no one knows exactly what this puzzling statement means. It is in somewhat the same category as Paul's comment elsewhere regarding those baptizing on behalf of the dead. In both cases, Paul is trying to to explain an important doctrine or teaching and throws in an example which would have been familiar to his audience but is obscure to modern readers.

There are no Old Testament references regarding the subject unless one counts the two passages below which have been suggested as a possible background to Paul's statement.

“Yet you have made them [mankind] a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet.” Psalm 8:5-6.

“...then judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom.” Daniel 7:22

In the New Testament, judgment reserved for fallen angels is alluded to in Matt. 25:41, 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. Therefore most commentators feel that these are the angels being referred to. The only problem is that God seems to be their judge, not Christians. Others feel that the reference is to angels in general, good and bad. And then there is the somewhat related passage in Matthew 19:28 to consider when Jesus addressed the Twelve: “...you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

We should not spend too much time speculating on this matter, but the following seems evident:

“In this case Paul would be reminding the Corinthians that believers, having been exalted with Christ who rules over all powers, will play a role in the final judgment of those powers.” (D. G. Reid, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters)

“Paul elevates the saints to a position that is of almost the same dignity as that of Christ, undoubtedly because the church is the habitation of the Spirit.” (William Orr and James Walther, I Corinthians)