Throughout Scripture, God alone is Judge, not His people (Gen 18:25, Pss 7:8, 9:8, 50:6, 96:13, 98:9, Isa 33:22, Jas 4:12). His people’s only role, in His judgment, is to CELEBRATE and AFFIRM the same (see Exo 15:1-21, Rev 16:7, 18:20, cf. Pss 97:8, Isa 25:9), not to themselves judge.
Thus, this text simply means that the saints would be present, when the sentence on fallen angels is passed, and would give a resounding “Yes!” to the justice of God, in executing the angels who sinned (cf. Matt 8:29, 25:41, 2 Pt 2:4, Jd 6, Rev 20:10). We would respond to God’s judgments with unanimous approval and worship (cf. Rev 19:1-2, 4).
“We shall judge angels” therefore does not refer to an active judgment, but a passive one, in which we simply affirm and celebrate the Lord’s judgment over His enemies.
Paul’s point to the Church at Corinth is this: if believers will one day participate in God’s judgment on fallen angels, surely they ought to be competent enough to settle comparatively minor disputes within the Church.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2026.
