1 Corinthians 11:31
in 1 Corinthians 11Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged.
KJV
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 11
Commentary
14 notes on this verseFor if we would judge ourselves,.... Examine, try, and prove ourselves as above directed, before we eat and drink; or condemn ourselves, by confessing, acknowledging, and mourning over sin, and by repentance for it; or separate ourselves from the company of profane sinners, come out from among them, and touch not their unclean things; or join with them in their unfruitful works of darkness: we should not be judged; by the Lord; he would not inflict these diseases, sicknesses, and death.
This site's exposition
That is why many among
on 1 Corinthians 11:30-32
Actual illness and death follow the abuse at the table: many are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. Such judgment corrects for restoration, so that we will not be condemned with the world.
This site's exposition
judged ourselves properly
Paul plays on one Greek root across these verses. Judged ourselves translates diakrino, the same verb rendered recognizing in verse 29, and come under judgment translates krino. Believers who discern rightly at the table escape the Lord's corrective hand.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
Indeed, many sins seem to be ignored and go unpunished. But their punishment is reserved for the future. It is not in vain that the day when the Judge of the living and the dead shall come is rightly called the day of judgment. Just so, on the other hand, some sins are punished here, and if they are forgiven will certainly bring no harm upon us in the future age. Hence, referring to certain temporal punishments which are visited upon sinners in this life, the apostle, speaking to those whose sins are blotted out and not reserved to the end says: "But if we judged ourselves truly we should not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world."
Judge in yourself what I am going to tell you: suppose you happen to go on a long journey and, parched with thirst in the heat, you chance upon one of the brothers. You say to him, "Refresh me in my exhaustion from thirst," and he replies, "It is the time for prayer; I will pray and then I will come to your aid"; and while he is praying, before coming to you, you die of thirst. What seems to you the better, that he should go and pray, or alleviate your exhaustion?
"For if we discerned ourselves," saith he, "we should not be judged." And he said not, "if we punished ourselves, if we were revenged on ourselves," but if we were only willing to acknowledge our offence, to pass sentence on ourselves, to condemn the things done amiss, we should be rid of the punishment both in this world and the next. For he that condemns himself propitiates God in two ways, both by acknowledging his sins, and by being more on his guard for the future. But since we are not willing to do even this light thing, as we ought to do it, not even thus doth He endure to punish us with the world, but even thus spareth us, exacting punishment in this world, where the penalty is for a season and the consolation great; for the result is both deliverance from sins, and a good hope of things to come, alleviating the present evils. And these things he saith, at the same time comforting the sick and rendering the rest more serious.
Now the Scripture kindles the living spark of the soul, and directs the eye suitably for contemplation; perchance inserting something, as the husbandman when he ingrafts, but, according to the opinion of the divine apostle, exciting what is in the soul. "For there are certainly among us many weak and sickly, and many sleep. But if we judge ourselves, we shall not be judged."
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then when he says, But if we judged, he assigns two reasons for the above sign: the first is taken on our part; the second on God's part (v. 32). On our part the cause of divine punishment is from negligence, because we neglect to …
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
He did not say: if we punished ourselves, but only: if we judged and condemned ourselves, then even here we would not be judged by God, and we would avoid punishments both here and there.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
If we would judge ourselves - As to our knowledge, and the design with which we approach the Lord's table. We should not be thus judged - That is, punished by God.
If we would thoroughly search and explore ourselves, and condemn and correct what we find amiss, we should prevent divine judgments. Note, To be exact and severe on ourselves and our own conduct is the most proper way in the world not to fall under the just severity of our heavenly Father.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For if we would judge ourselves - If we would examine ourselves, 1Co 11:28; if we would exercise a strict scrutiny over our hearts and feelings, and conduct, and come to the Lord’s Table with a proper spirit, we should escape the condemnation to which they are exposed who observe it in an improper manner. If we would exercise proper “severity” and “honesty” in determining our own character and fitness for the ordinance, we should not expose ourselves to the divine displeasure. We should not be judged - We should not be exposed to the expression of God’s disapprobation.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
if we would judge ourselves--Most of the oldest manuscripts, read "But," not "For." Translate also literally "If we duly judged ourselves, we should not be (or not have been) judged," that is, we should escape (or have escaped) our present judgments.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
If we would judge ourselves - If, having acted improperly, we condemn our conduct and humble ourselves, we shall not be judged, i.e. punished for the sin we have committed.
The words behind it
7 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰ | ei | If | G1487 → | 508 times |
| δὲ | de | for | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἑαυτοὺς | he'autous | ourselves | G1438 → | 322 times |
| διεκρίνομεν, | diekrinomen | we were judging, | G1252 → | 19 times |
| οὐκ | ouk | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἂν | an | then would | G302 → | 165 times |
| ἐκρινόμεθα· | ekrinometha | we were come under judgment; | G2919 → | 114 times |
εἰIf
eiG1487 →508 times
δὲfor
deG1161 →2765 times
ἑαυτοὺςourselves
he'autousG1438 →322 times
διεκρίνομεν,we were judging,
diekrinomenG1252 →19 times
οὐκnot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἂνthen would
anG302 →165 times
ἐκρινόμεθα·we were come under judgment;
ekrinomethaG2919 →114 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
it leads to
- Psalms 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
- Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
- Jeremiah 33:8
And I will cleanse them from all the iniquity they have committed against Me, and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me.
- Psalms 51:2–5
Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
- 1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Psalms 32:5
Through
Revelation 2:5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from…
it leads to
- Revelation 3:2–3
Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.
- Revelation 3:19
Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Revelation 3:2–3
Through
1 Corinthians 11:28Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
it leads to
- Galatians 6:4
Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.
- Galatians 6:4
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies5
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on 14 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Aphrahat the Persian Sage, DEMONSTRATION 4.15; Augustine of Hippo, Enchiridion 17.66; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 1; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 28; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.