Bishops as arbitrators in the early church: the episcopalis audientia.

This article focuses on the intersection of early Christian teachings on dispute resolution, particularly in the 1st Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, and the historical development of arbitration within the Christian community. It highlights Paul's advice to resolve conflicts internally by appointing a wise member as arbitrator rather than resorting to secular courts, reflecting early Christian skepticism toward worldly wisdom and legal systems. The article traces how, by the fourth century, Emperor Constantine institutionalized bishops' roles in settling disputes through the episcopalis audientia, a form of ecclesiastical arbitration recognized and enforced by secular courts. It also notes that this institution disappeared after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and discusses the historical association between arbitration and mediation in both ancient and modern contexts.