1 Corinthians 4:4

1 Corinthians 4:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

Context of 1 Corinthians 4:4

2In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

1 Corinthians 4:4 word by word

οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐμαυτῷ σύνοιδα· ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐν τούτῳ δεδικαίωμαι· ὁ δὲ ἀνακρίνων με κύριός ἐστιν.Read the interlinear

• of nothingοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• against myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• yetἀλλάalla · butG235
• I am not by thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• acquittedδικαιόωdikaioō · to justifyG1344
• but the one who examinesἀνακρίνωanakrinō · to investigateG350
• me is the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 4:4

• Job 27:6I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach any of my days.
• Psalms 7:3O Lord my God, if I have done this, If there is injustice in my hands,
• John 21:17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
• 1 John 3:20in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
• Job 9:2“In truth I know that this is so; But how can a man be in the right before God?
• Job 15:14What is man, that he should be pure, Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
• Job 25:4How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman?
• Job 40:4“Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.
• Psalms 19:12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
• Psalms 130:3If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
• Psalms 143:2And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
• Proverbs 21:2Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
• Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
• Romans 4:2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For I know nothing by myself - ͅ · I am not conscious that I am guilty of any evil, or have neglected to fulfill faithfully the duty of a steward of Jesus Christ. The import of the verb is to be conscious of guilt; and conscire has the same meaning: so, in Horace, Nil Conscire sibi, to know nothing to one's self, is the same as nulla pellescere culpa, not to grow pale at being charged with a crime, through a consciousness of guilt. Yet am I not hereby…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For I know nothing by myself - There is evidently here an ellipsis to be supplied, and it is well supplied by Grotius, Rosenmuller, Calvin, etc. “I am not conscious of evil, or unfaithfulness to myself; that is, in my ministerial life.” It is well remarked by Calvin, that Paul does not here refer to the whole of his life, but only to his apostleship. And the sense is, “I am conscious of integrity in this office. My own mind does not condemn me of ambition…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. 44. by myself--Translate, "I am conscious to myself of no (ministerial) unfaithfulness." Bengel explains the Greek compound, "to decide in judgments on one in relation to others," not simply to judge. am I not hereby justified--Therefore conscience is not an infallible guide. Paul did not consider his so. This verse is directly against the judicial power claimed by the priests of Rome.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 4:4

• Uncharitableness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Account
• By
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Instructor
• Offscouring
• Rod
• Shame
• Steward
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• 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