1 Corinthians 4:3

1 Corinthians 4:3 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 1 Corinthians 4:3

1People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God’s mysteries. 2Managers are required to be trustworthy. It means very little to me that you or any human court should cross-examine me. I don’t even ask myself questions. 4I have a clear conscience, but that doesn’t mean I have God’s approval. It is the Lord who cross-examines me. 5Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.

1 Corinthians 4:3 word by word

ἐμοὶ δὲ εἰς ἐλάχιστόν ἐστιν ἵνα ὑφ᾽ ὑμῶν ἀνακριθῶ ἢ ὑπὸ ἀνθρωπίνης ἡμέρας· ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ ἐμαυτὸν ἀνακρίνω.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• with meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• itεἰςeis · towardG1519
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• a very small thingἐλάχιστοςelachistos · leastG1646
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• I should be judgedἀνακρίνωanakrinō · to investigateG350
• ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• youσύsu · youG4771
• orἤē · orG2228
• man’sἀνθρώπινοςanthrōpinos · humanG442
• judgmentἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
• yeaἀλλάalla · butG235
• notοὐδέoude · norG3761
• mine own selfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 4:3

• 1 Corinthians 2:15Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one’s evaluation.
• 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
• John 7:24Stop judging by outward appearance! Instead, judge correctly.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:13The day will make what each one does clearly visible because fire will reveal it. That fire will determine what kind of work each person has done.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3It is a very small thing that I should be judged of you - Those who preferred Apollos or Kephas before St. Paul, would of course give their reasons for this preference; and these might, in many instances, be very unfavourable to his character as a man, a Christian, or an apostle; of this he was regardless, as he sought not his own glory, but the glory of God in the salvation of their souls. Or of man's judgment - ̔ ̔, literally, or of man's day: but ̔…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3But 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. But this was not the principal thing which he regarded; and we have here a noble elevation of purpose and of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4Paul's greatest wish was to be faithful to God. What people thought of him, including his own opinion, did not matter.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. it is a very small thing--literally, "it amounts to a very small matter"; not that I despise your judgment, but as compared with God's, it almost comes to nothing. judged ... of man's judgment--literally, "man's day," contrasted with the day (1Co 3:13) of the Lord (1Co 4:5; 1Th 5:4). "The day of man" is here put before us as a person [Wahl]. All days previous to the day of the Lord are man's days. Emesti translates the thrice recurring Greek for…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 4:3

• Uncharitableness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Account
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Instructor
• Offscouring
• Rod
• Shame
• Steward
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Daysman
• Eschatology of the New Testament

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings