Why do we judge angels?

I don't have the answer. In fact, I have more questions.

• Is this talking about righteous angels? If so, what have they done to be judged?
• Is this judgment talking about condemnation of some king? Again, what have the righteous angels done to bring about condemnation?
• Is this talking about the wicked angels [demons]? If so, haven't they already been judged? Weren't some of them placed in the pit long ago?
• What exactly does "judge" mean in this passage?

I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say.

 

I take a little different view on this verse than most of my colleagues in ministry.

The Greek word translated "angels" is the word αγγελους and is one of two words meaning "messenger" (the other being αποστολος). This is another of those unfortunate words that translators, for whatever reason, chose to transliterate rather than translate.

Paul is writing to the church at Corinth and telling them, "Don’t you know that we will judge messengers? How much more, things that pertain to this life?"

It is the congregation's job to discern the teaching and preaching ministry of the messenger (the one who brings the message on Sunday morning) or pastor, or preacher, and to ensure that what he is teaching/preaching is in line with the word of God.

And if the congregation is able to judge these men regarding spiritual matters, how much more should we be able to judge regarding mere, mundane, things which pertain to everyday secular life.

We are qualified to judge spiritual things among men, so we should also judge everyday mundane things among men. We don't need courts to judge between us, we have the congregation which is much better suited than what the world has to offer.