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 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 4:4 | I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby justified. | Antithesis/Clarification |
| Luke 16:15 | Whatever is highly valued among men, however, is detestable in the sight of God. | Divine Perspective |
| Rom 2:16 | on the day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. | Divine Judgment |
| 1 Cor 1:31 | Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. | Source of Boasting |
| Gal 1:10 | For am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. | Human vs. Divine Approval |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. | Christ's Judgment Seat |
| Ps 7:11 | God is a righteous judge, and God is indignant every day. | Righteous Judge |
| Ps 139:1-4, 23-24 | O Lord, you have searched me and known me! ... Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me, and know my thoughts! | God's Knowledge |
| Prov 21:2 | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. | Lord Weighs the Heart |
| Job 9:2, 20 | “Truly I know that this is so. But how can man be in the right before God? ... If I were to vindicate myself, my own mouth would condemn me; my own lips would testify against me. | Human Inability to Justify |
| Acts 17:31 | because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the whole world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. | Future Judgment |
| Matt 7:1-2 | "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be blessed, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. | Conditional Judgment |
| Rom 8:33-34 | Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised to life—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. | Divine Justification/Intercession |
| 1 Cor 3:5 | What then is Apollos? What then is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord appointed to each. | Servants of God |
| 1 Cor 3:10-15 | building on the foundation of Christ... tested by fire... | Work Tested by Fire |
| 1 Tim 4:16 | Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. | Self-Watchfulness |
| Titus 2:7-8 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, and dignity. Let your speech be sound and unable to be condemned... | Sound Speech/Dignity |
| John 12:43 | for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. | Love of Human Glory |
| Gal 5:9 | A little leaven leavens the whole lump. | Influence of False Teaching |
| John 8:14 | Jesus answered them, "Though I bear witness about myself, my testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going." | Jesus' Self-Testimony |
1 Corinthians 4 verses
1 Corinthians 4 3 Meaning
To me, however, it is a very small matter that I should be judged by you or by any human court. Indeed, I do not even judge myself.
1 Corinthians 4 3 Context
The Apostle Paul is addressing divisions within the church at Corinth. Some members were aligning themselves with different spiritual leaders, such as Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, elevating them as authorities and creating factions. In chapter 3, Paul likens himself and other leaders to fellow workers with God, planting and watering, but God giving the growth. He emphasizes that each person's work will be judged by fire.
In chapter 4, Paul continues this theme, discussing the proper attitude believers should have toward their spiritual leaders. He states that leaders are to be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. He insists that it is insignificant for him to be evaluated by the Corinthians or any human tribunal. This humility stems from his awareness that his ultimate accountability is to God. The immediate context highlights Paul's detachment from human approval and his focus on God's assessment of his ministry and character.
1 Corinthians 4 3 Word Analysis
- "to me": (moi) – Refers to Paul himself.
- "is": (esti) – Present tense of "to be," indicating a continuous state or a factual statement.
- "very small": (elachiston) – Superlative degree of "small" or "little." Emphasizes the absolute insignificance of human judgment from Paul's perspective.
- "matter": (hesti dia) – This is a contraction meaning "it is of God" or "it is from God." However, it can also be translated as "it is a day" or "it is a matter." The phrase points to a subject or a judgment.
- "that": (hina) – Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause.
- "by you": (hupo humon) – "By" (hupo) indicating the agent or source of the judgment, "you" (humon) plural, referring to the Corinthians.
- "or": (e) – Conjunction presenting an alternative.
- "by human court": (hupo human hemonias) – "By" (hupo) for agency. "Human court" (humanias) refers to any secular tribunal or standard of human assessment.
- "Indeed": (alla kai) – Connects to the previous statement, intensifying it or adding a stronger affirmation.
- "I do not even judge myself": (oude emauton emos enoimazontos) – "Not even" (oude) expresses an emphatic negation. "Myself" (emauton). "Judge" (enoimazontos) is from enoimazoo, meaning to think, to esteem, to reckon, or to judge. Paul asserts that he does not critically appraise or deem himself qualified or guiltless. This doesn't mean he lives without self-reflection, but he refrains from setting himself as the final arbiter of his own worth or actions, recognizing a higher standard.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "very small matter... by you or by human court": This group highlights Paul's complete disregard for human opinion and judgment, whether from the Corinthians or any other earthly authority. He places no value on their evaluation of his apostleship or ministry.
- "Indeed, I do not even judge myself": This phrase reinforces the idea that if he doesn't pass definitive judgment on himself, he certainly wouldn't grant the Corinthians the authority to do so. It points to a surrendered dependence on God's knowledge and judgment. It’s not a passive acceptance of sin, but an acknowledgment that self-justification is impossible and ultimately pointless.
1 Corinthians 4 3 Bonus Section
The phrase "I do not even judge myself" reflects a mature spiritual perspective. It signifies that Paul understands the limitations of human introspection and self-deception. Proverbs 21:2 states, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart." Paul implicitly acknowledges this truth, knowing that his heart's true condition is fully known only to God. This posture is not one of recklessness, but of profound submission to divine discernment. He lived with an awareness of the Day of Judgment, where Christ himself would be the judge (2 Cor 5:10). Therefore, the opinions of men were relegated to a secondary, ultimately irrelevant, status. This attitude serves as a powerful counterpoint to the self-importance and partisanship that Paul was addressing in Corinth.
1 Corinthians 4 3 Commentary
Paul expresses a profound detachment from human judgment. His apostleship and ministry are not validated or invalidated by the opinions of the Corinthians or any human court. This freedom from the need for external approval is rooted in his understanding that his ultimate accountability is to God alone. He recognizes that even his own self-assessment is insufficient; he does not even confidently judge himself. This highlights his complete reliance on God's divine scrutiny and his commitment to serving Christ rather than seeking popularity or commendation from men. His confidence rests not in his own perception of his actions, but in the integrity of his motives before God. This mindset encourages believers to focus on pleasing God above all else, rather than being swayed by popular opinion or internal pride.
- Practical application: Avoid seeking the validation of others for your faith or service. Focus on obedience to God.
- Example: Instead of worrying about gossip or criticism from church members, continue faithfully serving where you believe God has placed you.
- Focus on inner integrity: Ensure your motives are pure before God, even if they are misunderstood by people.