1 Corinthians 4:3 BSB

1 Corinthians 4:3

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

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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.

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.

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Commentary

3 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

But with me - In my estimate; in regard to myself. That is, I esteem it a matter of no concern. Since I am responsible as a steward to my master only, it is a matter of small concern what men think of me, provided I have his approbation. Paul was not insensible to the good opinion of people. He did not despise their favor or court limit contempt.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He that would be faithful to Christ must despise the censures of men for his sake. He must look upon it as a very little thing (if his Lord approves him) what judgment men form of him. They may think very meanly or very hardly of him, while he is doing his duty; but it is not by their judgment that he must stand or fall.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

EMESTI translates the thrice recurring Greek for "judged . . . judge . . . judgeth" (1Co 4:4), thus: To me for my part (though capable of being found faithful) it is a very small matter that I should be approved of by man's judgment; yea, I do not even assume the right of judgment and approving myself--but He that has the right, and is able to judge on my case (the Dijudicator), is the Lord.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

17 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ἐμοὶ	emoi	Me myself	G1473 →
δὲ	de	however	G1161 →
εἰς	eis	to	G1519 →
ἐλάχιστόν	elachiston	[the] smallest matter	G1646 →
ἐστιν	estin	it is	G1510 →
ἵνα	ina	that	G2443 →
ὑφ᾽	huph᾽	by	G5259 →
ὑμῶν	humōn	you	G4771 →
ἀνακριθῶ	anakrithō	I may be examined	G350 →
ἢ	ē	or	G2228 →
ὑπὸ	hupo	by	G5259 →
ἀνθρωπίνης	anthrōpinēs	a human	G442 →
ἡμέρας·	hēmeras	court;	G2250 →
ἀλλ᾽	all᾽	In fact	G235 →
οὐδὲ	oude	neither	G3761 →
ἐμαυτὸν	emauton	myself	G1473 →
ἀνακρίνω.	anakrinō	do I examine.	G350 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the…
leads to
- John 7:24
  Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
- Jeremiah 17:10
  I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
- Luke 16:15
  So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
- 1 Peter 3:4
  but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.
- Isaiah 55:8–9
  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
Through
1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
leads to
- 1 Peter 1:7
  so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 3:14–15
  If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
- Revelation 20:12
  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their…

About 1 Corinthians

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 4 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Corinthians 4 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

06About 1 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

About 1 Corinthians