1 Corinthians 4 5

1 Corinthians 4:5 kjv

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 nkjv

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 niv

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 esv

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 nlt

So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time ? before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

1 Corinthians 4 verses

1 Corinthians 4 5 meaning

This verse instructs believers to refrain from making definitive judgments about others' actions, motives, or ministries until the appointed time of the Lord's return. It emphasizes that only the Lord Jesus Christ, upon His second coming, possesses the ultimate authority and ability to perfectly discern and reveal every hidden secret, all things concealed by darkness, and the true intentions and purposes within the human heart. At that revelation, each individual will receive the appropriate and just commendation and praise directly from God Himself, not from human opinion.

1 Corinthians 4 5 Context

First Corinthians chapters 1-4 address the significant issue of disunity and factionalism within the Corinthian church. The Corinthians, influenced by worldly wisdom and rhetorical skill, were aligning themselves with different spiritual leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), boasting in human achievements, and proudly evaluating and comparing their ministers based on superficial, carnal standards rather than spiritual faithfulness. In chapter 4, Paul defends his apostleship and that of Apollos, portraying them as humble servants and stewards of God's mysteries, accountable ultimately to God, not to human opinion. This specific verse serves as a climactic warning against their arrogant judgmentalism, redirecting their focus from human appraisal to the future, perfect, and comprehensive judgment of the Lord, which alone can discern true motives and faithfully reward.

1 Corinthians 4 5 Word analysis

• Therefore (Οὖν - Oun): A conjunctive particle indicating a logical conclusion or inference, drawing directly from the preceding discussion in 1 Cor 4:1-4, which establishes Paul and other apostles as mere stewards of God and Christ, whose only true judge is the Lord.
• do not pronounce judgment (μὴ κρίνετε - mē krinete): A negative command using the present imperative. Krinō (κρίνω) means to judge, discern, decide. Here, with the negative, it specifically prohibits premature or definitive human judgment, especially concerning others' motives or faithfulness. This is not a ban on all discernment (as 1 Cor 5:12-13 shows the need for internal church judgment of behavior), but against usurping God's role in assessing the hidden spiritual state and motives.
• before the time (πρὸ καιροῦ - pro kairou): Pro (πρὸ) means before, and kairos (καιρός) refers to an appointed, specific, opportune, or seasonable time, not merely chronological time (chronos). It signifies "before the appointed time for judgment," emphasizing that humanity lacks the authority and capacity to judge effectively prior to God's set schedule.
• before the Lord comes (ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος - heōs an elthē ho Kyrios): Establishes the specific timing of the legitimate judgment. Kyrios (Κύριος), "the Lord," unambiguously refers to Jesus Christ. His "coming" (ἔλθῃ, from erchomai, to come) denotes His Parousia, His second advent for judgment and salvation. This points to the eschatological horizon, the final day when Christ will preside.
• who will bring to light (ὃς φωτίσει - hos phōtisei): Phōtizō (φωτίζω) means to enlighten, illuminate, reveal, make light. In the future tense, it signifies Christ's action at His return: He will be the one who definitively makes manifest.
• the things now hidden (τὰ κρυπτὰ - ta krypta): Krypta (κρυπτά) refers to things concealed, secret, kept hidden. This implies actions, thoughts, and attitudes that are intentionally or unintentionally obscured from human view.
• in darkness (τοῦ σκότους - tou skotous): Skotos (σκότος) refers to physical or moral darkness, often associated with ignorance, sin, or evil. The phrase "hidden in darkness" signifies moral obscurity, things done out of sight or with questionable intentions.
• and will disclose (καὶ φανερώσει - kai phanerōsei): Phaneroō (φανερόω) means to make manifest, reveal, make visible, bring to light, render evident. It reinforces the idea of making known that which was previously unknown or unseen by humans. It serves as a strong parallel to phōtizō.
• the purposes (τὰς βουλὰς - tas boulās): Boulē (βουλή) refers to inner counsels, plans, intentions, volitions, or decisions. It probes beyond outward actions to the underlying rationale and aims of the individual, highlighting the depth of God's scrutiny.
• of the heart (τῶν καρδιῶν - tōn kardiōn): Kardia (καρδία) in the Bible represents the inner person, the seat of intellect, emotions, will, and moral character—the true self. Christ will expose the deep, fundamental core motivations and intentions.
• Then (τότε - tote): A temporal adverb indicating that this consequence follows the Lord's coming and revelation.
• each one (ἑκάστου - hekastou): Emphasizes individual accountability; no one will be overlooked or judged in bulk.
• will receive his commendation (ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται - ho epainos genēsetai): Epainos (ἔπαινος) is praise, approval, commendation. This speaks to the righteous judgment of God that includes affirmation for genuine faithfulness, even if unseen or unrecognized by human beings. It suggests that diligent, faithful service, no matter how small or hidden, will be acknowledged.
• from God (ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ - apo tou Theou): Theos (Θεός) refers to God. This clearly states the source of the commendation, asserting that true and lasting validation comes only from the divine judge, not from human acclaim or status, directly countering the Corinthians' worldly values.

• "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time": This group of words serves as a crucial command, establishing the primary instruction of the verse. It's a prohibition against premature, unqualified, and potentially unfair human judgment. The emphasis on "the time" points to the eschatological future as the appropriate moment for ultimate judgment.
• "before the Lord comes, who will bring to light...": This phrase grounds the command in the future event of Christ's return (Parousia). It presents Christ as the supreme, all-knowing Judge, providing the rationale for not judging now. The Lord's coming initiates the unveiling process.
• "the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart": These two parallel clauses highlight the scope of Christ's ultimate judgment. It extends beyond outward actions to the deep, concealed aspects of human existence: things deliberately hidden or obscure, and the innermost intentions and motivations of the mind and spirit, which are opaque to human observers. This stresses God's omniscience and just discernment.
• "Then each one will receive his commendation from God": This final statement presents the outcome of God's perfect judgment. It's personal ("each one") and comes with divine validation ("commendation from God"), reinforcing that God’s standard of approval is what truly matters, rather than earthly applause or human assessments of status. This is not solely about punishment for wrong, but just reward for righteous motives and actions.

1 Corinthians 4 5 Bonus section

This passage beautifully distinguishes between necessary discernment and unrighteous judgmentalism. While believers are called to discern spirits and actions (1 Thess 5:21, 1 John 4:1) for the protection and purity of the church, this verse strictly prohibits usurping the Lord's role as the final, all-knowing judge of motives. The focus here is on motives and hidden intentions which only God can fully apprehend. The word epainos (commendation/praise) originating apo tou Theou (from God) signifies that divine validation transcends all human estimations, offering encouragement to those serving faithfully in obscurity and a sobering truth to those who seek human accolades. The anticipation of the Lord's Parousia (His coming) is the bedrock of this command, imbuing it with eschatological urgency and grounding true justice in God's future sovereign act.

1 Corinthians 4 5 Commentary

This verse provides a crucial corrective to the judgmental spirit and human-centric values prevalent in the Corinthian church, and by extension, in all communities. Paul confronts their inclination to make definitive, often critical, assessments of spiritual leaders and fellow believers based on superficial, external criteria. He unequivocally states that ultimate judgment—particularly concerning hidden motives and intentions—belongs solely to the Lord Jesus Christ. His future return will mark the "time" of perfect revelation, where every concealed deed done "in darkness" and every secret "purpose of the heart" will be fully exposed. This unveiling emphasizes Christ's omniscience and absolute justice. Consequently, human attempts at such profound judgments are both arrogant and futile, as they lack the divine perspective required. The verse concludes with the comforting truth that faithful service and pure motives, however unnoticed or unappreciated by humanity, will receive appropriate commendation and praise directly from God Himself, underscoring that God's approval is the only true and lasting reward.