1 Corinthians 4 4

1 Corinthians 4:4 kjv

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:4 nkjv

For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:4 niv

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Corinthians 4:4 esv

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Corinthians 4:4 nlt

My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I'm right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

1 Corinthians 4 verses

1 Corinthians 4 4 Meaning

The verse states, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. Nor do I judge myself." This declaration signifies Paul's resolute dependence on divine judgment rather than human opinion. He understands that human assessments are inherently fallible and superficial, unable to penetrate the true state of a person's heart or their accountability before God. Paul's self-awareness, while present, is not the ultimate arbiter of his actions or his ministry. His confidence rests in the Lord's scrutiny and vindication.

1 Corinthians 4 4 Context

In 1 Corinthians chapter 4, Paul addresses divisions and self-importance within the Corinthian church. There were factions who identified with specific leaders like Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, creating an unhealthy spirit of rivalry. Paul's aim is to correct this pride and immaturity. He contrasts the esteemed status of apostles with the suffering and contempt they often face, reminding the Corinthians that true worth and authority are determined by God, not by human opinion. He highlights the severe judgments that await the faithful and the unfaithful, emphasizing that ultimate accountability rests solely with the Lord. Verse 4 specifically zeroes in on Paul's personal stance regarding evaluation, situating it within this broader discussion of leadership, service, and divine oversight.

1 Corinthians 4 4 Word Analysis

• "But": (δέ - de) A conjunction indicating contrast or a shift in thought. Here, it marks a transition from discussing potential human judgment (implied in the previous context of differing opinions about leaders) to Paul's personal indifference to such evaluation.

• "with me": (ἐμοὶ - emoi) A dative pronoun indicating possession or relation. It emphasizes that this is Paul's personal perspective.

• "it is": (ἐστιν - estin) The third-person singular present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." It states a present reality about his judgment.

• "a very small thing": (ἐλαχύ ἐστιν - elachü estin) Elachü means "small," "trifling," or "little." Combined with esti, it means "it is small." The phrase conveys extreme insignificance. Paul is saying it is not even a minor concern for him.

• "that": (ἵνα - hina) A conjunction introducing a purpose or subordinate clause. It specifies what constitutes the "small thing."

• "I should be judged": (ἀνακριθῶ - anakrithō) The first-person singular passive subjunctive of ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō). Anakrinō means "to examine," "to question," "to judge," or "to scrutinize." The passive voice indicates that judgment is being done to him. The subjunctive mood often follows hina to express purpose or possibility. It means being subject to examination by others.

• "by you": (ὑπὸ ὑμῶν - hupo humōn) Hupo is a preposition typically used with the genitive case to indicate agency or cause. It signifies judgment originating "from you" (the Corinthians).

• "or": ( ἢ - ē) A coordinating conjunction introducing an alternative.

• "by any human court": (ἢ ὑπὸ ἀνθρωπίνης ἡμέρας - ē hupo anthrōpinēs hēmeras) The phrase anthrōpinēs hēmeras literally translates to "human day." However, the standard understanding in this context, supported by many manuscripts and ancient translations, uses a word akin to "court" or "tribunal." The King James Version and others render it as "man's judgment." The intended meaning is judgment by any secular tribunal or court of human authority. The literal "human day" would not make sense here; it's likely a variant or scribal adaptation indicating human-made proceedings.

• "Nor": (οὐδὲ - oude) A conjunction meaning "and not," "not even." It adds emphasis to the negation, extending it to the next part of the sentence.

• "do I judge myself": (ἐμαυτὸν οὐκ ἀνακρίνω - emauton ouk anakrinō) Emauton means "myself." Ouk is the negation "not." Anakrinō is the verb "to judge" (same as before). Paul states he does not pass definitive judgment on himself either. This doesn't mean he is without self-awareness or conviction, but rather that his own internal assessment is not his final arbiter.

• Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

  • "with me it is a very small thing": This collective phrase strongly communicates a complete detachment from external validation. Paul considers human opinion utterly insignificant concerning his worth and ministry.
  • "that I should be judged by you or by any human court": This highlights the two main spheres of human judgment that Paul dismisses: the specific audience he is writing to (the Corinthians, who are prone to judging based on perceived spiritual prowess) and the broader societal structures of legal or authoritative evaluation. Both are rendered powerless in assessing his true standing.
  • "Nor do I judge myself": This is a crucial complement. Paul places himself under God's exclusive jurisdiction. His lack of self-judgment means he does not rely on his own consciousness as the ultimate standard for his ministry or worth, indicating his total surrender to God's assessment. It shows a profound understanding of his own fallibility.

1 Corinthians 4 4 Bonus Section

The verb anakrinō is significant here. It implies a searching, judicial examination. In the context of Corinth, where there were strong opinions about who was truly "spiritual" or a "leader," this word directly counters the tendency to scrutinize and rank one another based on external charisma or success. Paul is essentially saying, "Your examinations of me are pointless and irrelevant to my standing before God." The "human court" or "man's judgment" likely refers to any external judicial or authoritative body. Paul’s refusal to judge himself also points to an awareness of human bias, even within oneself. We are not impartial judges of our own hearts and actions; only God is truly equipped for that task. This perspective aligns with the biblical understanding of our inherent sinfulness and limited perspective.

1 Corinthians 4 4 Commentary

Paul's assertion in this verse is a cornerstone of spiritual maturity. It underscores that true evaluation comes only from God, who sees not only actions but the intentions of the heart. By deeming human judgment (whether from the Corinthians or from any official tribunal) as insignificant, Paul models a life focused on eternal realities rather than temporal approval. His refusal to judge himself further emphasizes his humility and his deep trust in divine omniscience. This is not an excuse for recklessness or a disregard for community accountability; rather, it is a statement of ultimate reliance on God’s perfect discernment. It liberates the believer from the paralysis of public opinion or self-doubt, redirecting their energy towards faithfulness.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • When facing criticism at work for decisions that are prayerfully made, one can adopt Paul’s mindset and focus on God’s approval.
  • When enduring harsh or unfounded judgments from fellow believers about one's spiritual walk, remember that only the Lord’s evaluation matters.
  • Resisting the urge to self-condemn or overly self-validate based on personal feelings after a mistake, instead entrusting the matter to God’s grace and truth.