1 Corinthians 4 3

1 Corinthians 4:3 kjv

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

1 Corinthians 4:3 nkjv

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

1 Corinthians 4:3 niv

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

1 Corinthians 4:3 esv

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

1 Corinthians 4:3 nlt

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point.

1 Corinthians 4 verses

1 Corinthians 4 3 meaning

In 1 Corinthians 4:3, Paul expresses that he considers human judgment—whether from the Corinthian believers or any other person—as utterly insignificant regarding his ministry and apostleship. He further states that he does not even trust his own self-assessment, emphasizing that the true and ultimate judge is God alone. His declaration serves to redirect the Corinthians' focus from worldly, external evaluations to divine standards of integrity and faithfulness in ministry.

1 Corinthians 4 3 Context

1 Corinthians chapter 4 continues Paul's address to the Corinthian church's deep divisions and pride, which were manifesting in factional loyalty to different spiritual leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas). The Corinthians, heavily influenced by their culturally sophisticated and competitive environment, were evaluating Christian leaders based on worldly wisdom, eloquence, and perceived spiritual superiority. They were essentially holding a "court" over Paul's apostleship and methods, critically assessing his effectiveness, character, and doctrine from a human, superficial perspective.

Paul has previously (1 Cor 1-3) contrasted divine wisdom with human wisdom, exposing the folly of exalting human intellect over God's revelation. He established that Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God, confounding worldly pretensions. In chapter 4, Paul grounds the nature of ministry not in human acclaim but in faithful stewardship to God. Ministers are servants (hyperetai) of Christ and stewards (oikonomoi) of God's mysteries, with the primary requirement being faithfulness. Verse 3, therefore, directly challenges their flawed judgmental standards, asserting that their human assessments—and even his own—are ultimately irrelevant to the only judgment that matters: God's.

1 Corinthians 4 3 Word analysis

• But with me (Greek: Egō de, Ἐγὼ δέ): The "Egō" is emphatic, highlighting Paul's personal perspective in contrast to the Corinthians' judgmental attitudes. It signals a shift from discussing ministerial roles in general to his specific stand.

• it is a very small thing (Greek: elachiston, ἐλάχιστον): A superlative adjective meaning "least important," "of minimal value," or "utterly insignificant." Paul dismisses their judgment not with anger, but with profound indifference rooted in a higher conviction. It’s not about emotional response but theological truth.

• that I should be judged (Greek: anakrithō, ἀνακριθῶ): A passive verb meaning "to be examined," "to be investigated," "to be interrogated," often with a forensic or judicial connotation. It implies a critical assessment, probing motives and actions. This verb also appeared in 1 Cor 2:15 concerning spiritual discernment.

• by you (Greek: hyph' hymōn, ὑφ' ὑμῶν): Directly refers to the Corinthian believers, indicating that their evaluations, whether public or private, were a source of concern for Paul’s standing.

• or by man's judgment (Greek: ē hypo anthrōpinēs hēmeras, ἢ ὑπὸ ἀνθρωπίνης ἡμέρας): Lit. "by a human day." hēmeras (day) here is a Hellenistic idiom or metaphor for a "day of judgment," a "court day," "tribunal," or "assize" of human opinion or verdict. It expands the scope from "by you" (the specific church) to any general human assessment, be it cultural, philosophical, or otherwise. It underscores that all human tribunals are limited and fallible.

• yes, I do not even judge myself (Greek: all’ oude emauton anakrinō, ἀλλ’ οὐδὲ ἐμαυτὸν ἀνακρίνω): "All' oude" strongly introduces a further, even more significant denial. Paul extends his dismissal of human judgment to his own judgment. This isn't self-abasement or an avoidance of self-reflection, but an acknowledgment of human fallibility and bias, even within oneself. No human, not even the one performing the action, has complete, unbiased insight into their deepest motives or the ultimate efficacy of their work in God's eyes.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment": This phrase powerfully conveys Paul's disinterest in human opinion. It establishes a radical contrast between the value the Corinthians placed on human assessments (especially of leadership) and the negligible weight Paul assigns them. He elevates the standard of judgment above human capacities, preparing the ground for God's ultimate authority.
  • "yes, I do not even judge myself": This expands and solidifies the principle. By denying the validity of even his own self-judgment, Paul strips away any basis for human self-exaltation or self-justification. It shows deep humility and underscores the exclusive role of an omniscient God as the righteous judge, knowing every hidden thought and motive beyond human capacity to discern, including one's own.

1 Corinthians 4 3 Bonus section

• Polemics against Greco-Roman Culture: Corinthian culture valued rhetoric, philosophical debate, and public reputation. Judgments regarding a speaker's ability or character were common. Paul's dismissal of "man's judgment" directly counters this cultural emphasis on external, often superficial, evaluations of wisdom and power, which permeated the church and contributed to their factions.
• Identity and Security in Christ: Paul's ability to dismiss all human judgment, including his own, stems from a profound security in his identity as a servant chosen by God and justified by Christ. His value and purpose are derived vertically from God, not horizontally from human assessment.
• Pre-Adjudication: This verse, especially when read with 1 Cor 4:5 ("Therefore judge nothing before the time"), sets up a critique of the Corinthians' "premature" judgment. They were attempting to decide matters that only the returning Lord is equipped to evaluate. They focused on externals (who is more eloquent, more wise), but God looks at inner motives and faithfulness that only He can properly assess at the proper time.
• Liberation for Ministry: This posture offers immense freedom and spiritual resilience for Christian ministers and believers alike. It allows them to serve authentically according to God's leading, unburdened by the fear of criticism or the pursuit of fleeting human praise, grounding their service in divine accountability alone.

1 Corinthians 4 3 Commentary

Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 4:3 is not an act of arrogance or dismissal of accountability, but a profound theological statement on the nature of ministry and ultimate judgment. He silences the contentious opinions of the Corinthians by asserting a higher court: God's. Human judgments, however well-intentioned or severe, are inherently flawed because they cannot fully discern the heart's motives or the ultimate impact of spiritual labor, nor can they foresee the full picture of God's sovereign plan. Paul’s ministry was a stewardship (1 Cor 4:1-2), a sacred trust from God, making God the sole competent authority to evaluate his faithfulness.

By stating he doesn't even judge himself, Paul highlights the limitations of self-perception. We are prone to self-deception, justifying our actions or inflating our accomplishments. True righteousness comes from being "approved" by God (cf. 2 Cor 10:18), whose knowledge is complete. This passage teaches Christians, particularly those in leadership, to cultivate an inward focus on God's approval rather than seeking validation from shifting human opinions or accolades. It encourages a liberation from people-pleasing and a steadfast devotion to Christ's call, knowing that true faithfulness will be rewarded by the only One whose judgment genuinely matters. For example, a faithful missionary toils in obscurity, often misunderstood or critiqued, but remains dedicated because his accountability is to the One who sent him, not to fleeting public opinion. Similarly, a Sunday school teacher's impact might seem small to humans but is immensely significant to God.