Paul is upset that some of the Corinthian Christians are resolving their differences by going to civil court rather
than working it out among themselves (1 Corinthians 6:1). Because of a translation issue, readers of the Revised
Standard Version may miss some of the power of Paul’s pain. In 1 Corinthians 6:5-6, the RSV refers to
“believers” taking other “believers” to court. The word translated as “believers” is adelphou. That word literally
means “brother.” The translation to “believer” is an effort to avoid sexist language. Other translations (such as
the New English Bible) have avoided the sexist language by rendering the word as “brother or sister.”
