I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court.Paul's statement reflects his confidence in his apostolic authority and his understanding of divine judgment. In the context of Corinth, a city known for its diverse and often contentious culture, Paul's ministry faced scrutiny and criticism. The phrase "judged by you" refers to the Corinthian believers who were divided and questioning Paul's authority. The mention of "any human court" suggests a broader application, indicating that Paul is not concerned with human opinions or legal judgments. This reflects a theme found in
Galatians 1:10, where Paul emphasizes pleasing God rather than people. The cultural context of Corinth, a hub of philosophical debate and legal proceedings, underscores the significance of Paul's disregard for human judgment.
In fact, I do not even judge myself.
Paul's statement here highlights his reliance on God's judgment rather than self-assessment. This reflects a deep humility and recognition of human limitations in understanding one's own heart and motives. The phrase connects to1 Corinthians 4:4, where Paul acknowledges that his conscience is clear but that it does not justify him. This aligns withJeremiah 17:9, which speaks of the deceitfulness of the human heart. Paul's approach is a model of Christian humility, recognizing that ultimate judgment belongs to God alone. This perspective is consistent with the teachings of Jesus inMatthew 7:1-2, where He warns against judging others, emphasizing that judgment is God's prerogative.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. Paul is emphasizing his role as a servant of Christ and steward of God's mysteries.
2.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges. The church in Corinth faced issues of division and immorality, which Paul addresses in his letters.
3.
Human CourtRepresents the judgment and opinions of people, both within and outside the church. Paul contrasts this with divine judgment.
Teaching Points
Divine Judgment Over Human JudgmentPaul emphasizes that God's judgment is what truly matters. We should focus on living according to God's standards rather than seeking approval from others.
Self-Reflection and HumilityWhile Paul mentions not even judging himself, this highlights the importance of humility and self-awareness. We should be cautious in self-assessment, recognizing our limitations and biases.
Freedom from Human OpinionBelievers are encouraged to find freedom in Christ, not being swayed by the opinions or judgments of others. This freedom allows us to serve God wholeheartedly.
Accountability to GodUltimately, we are accountable to God for our actions and decisions. This accountability should guide our conduct and priorities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 4:3?
2.How does 1 Corinthians 4:3 guide us in handling others' judgments of us?
3.Why does Paul emphasize God's judgment over human judgment in 1 Corinthians 4:3?
4.How can we apply 1 Corinthians 4:3 to our daily self-assessment?
5.What other scriptures emphasize God's judgment over human opinions?
6.How can 1 Corinthians 4:3 help us prioritize God's view over societal pressures?
7.What does 1 Corinthians 4:3 reveal about the importance of human judgment versus God's judgment?
8.How does 1 Corinthians 4:3 challenge our reliance on others' opinions for self-worth?
9.Why does Paul emphasize indifference to human judgment in 1 Corinthians 4:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 4?
11.In 1 Corinthians 4:3–4, how can Paul claim a clear conscience when unconsciously held biases could still affect his judgment?
12.What does the Bible say about manipulation?
13.If, according to 1 Corinthians 8:6, there is only 'one God,' how do we reconcile this with other passages where divine beings or 'gods' are mentioned (e.g., Psalm 82)?
14.What role does Satan play in the Bible?What Does 1 Corinthians 4:3 Mean
Setting the Stage• In1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Paul has just said that he and the other apostles are “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,” and that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
• With that backdrop, verse 3 shows Paul explaining whose evaluation actually matters.
• Cross reference:Galatians 1:10 reminds us, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ”.
Caring Very Little — “I care very little”
• Paul is not dismissive of people, but he is unmoved by their verdict because his primary accountability is to the Lord.
• Cross reference:Psalm 118:6, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”.
• Practical point: confidence in God’s assessment frees believers from the emotional roller-coaster of human praise or criticism.
Judged by You — “if I am judged by you”
• The “you” refers to the Corinthian church, some of whom were critiquing Paul’s ministry style and authority (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4).
• Paul acknowledges their opinions exist but chooses not to let them control him.
• Cross reference:Romans 14:4 asks, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?”.
Judged by Any Human Court — “or by any human court”
• The phrase broadens beyond the local church to any human tribunal, literal or figurative.
• Paul had faced civic courts before (Acts 18:12-17;Acts 24). Their rulings never altered his mission.
• Cross reference:Isaiah 33:22, “For the LORD is our Judge… He will save us”.
Not Even Judging Myself — “In fact, I do not even judge myself”
• Paul refuses to let self-evaluation become the ultimate standard; conscience can err (1 Corinthians 4:4).
• This prevents both pride (if he grades himself too highly) and despair (if he grades himself too harshly).
• Cross reference:1 John 3:20, “If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things”.
Why Paul Chooses This Attitude• God alone has perfect knowledge of motives and faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:5).
• Stewardship means answering to the Owner, not to fellow servants or one’s own fluctuating feelings.
• Cross reference:2 Corinthians 5:10, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”.
Lessons for Believers Today• Seek faithfulness, not popularity.
• Welcome constructive counsel, yet let God’s Word be the final authority.
• Keep a humble, teachable spirit while resting in God’s verdict.
• Resist both people-pleasing and self-condemnation.
Summary1 Corinthians 4:3 shows Paul placing God’s judgment far above human opinion—including his own. Because the Lord alone is the perfect Judge, external criticism and internal self-assessment are secondary. This perspective liberates believers to serve Christ faithfully, confident that His final evaluation is all that ultimately counts.
(3)
But with me it is a very small thing . . .--As, however, the Corinthians had actually "judged" various of their teachers, the Apostle assures them that
their judgment--or the judgment of the world generally--is to him "a very small matter"--nay, no earthly judgment is of any concern to him. He does not even judge himself as worthy and faithful because he is not conscious of any unfaithfulness; yet that is no justification to him--his only judge is the Lord.
Man's judgment.--The literal translation isman's day. Some have thought they saw in it a provincialism or a Hebraism. Probably, however, the explanation is that St. Paul lived with the idea of the day of the Lord as the judgment day so constantly before him, that he uses the words as synonymous. (Comp. also1Corinthians 3:13, "the day shall declare it.")
Verse 3. -
But. The Corinthians might have expected that the conclusion of St. Paul's remarks would be a recognition of their right to sit in judgment on his faithfulness; but it is, on the contrary, an expression of his complete indifference to their shallow and unfair estimate, and an appeal to the approval of his own conscience and to the judgment of the Lord.
It is a very small thing; literally,
it is for the least.That I should be judged of you; rather,
that I should be examined by you (
anakritho). Technically the word
anakrisis means "an examination preliminary to trial."
Or of man's judgment; literally,
of man's day. The brief day of human life is bounded by too narrow an horizon for accurate judgments. Many of the greatest and best men have felt, like Lord Bacon, that they must leave to other generations the right estimate of their characters, views, and actions. St. Jerome reckons the expression "day" for "judgment" among the "Cilicisms" of St. Paul (Jeremiah, 'Ad Algas.,' 10),
i.e. the expressions due to his early training in Cilicia. More probably (as Grotius thinks) there is a reference to the "day" fixed for earthly trials (
diem dicere, equivalent to "to impeach"), and to the phrase "the day of judgment" - "the woeful day" of
Jeremiah 17:16. The word "day" in all languages and idioms signifies "judgment" (Hammond). From
dies, a day, comes the phrase "a diet." A "daysman" means an arbitrator.
Yea, I judge not mine own self. Here, as in the previous clause and in
1 Corinthians 6:4, the verb is not
krino, I judge, but
anakrino, I examine. Thus the verse discourages all morbid self introspection. It also shows that St. Paul is not arrogantly proclaiming himself superior to the opinion of the Corinthians, but is pointing out the necessary inadequacy of all human judgments. The heart is too liable to self deceit (
Jeremiah 17:9, 10) to enable it to pronounce a judgment with unerring accuracy. Hence neither a man's contemporaries nor the man himself can form any final estimate of him or of his fitting position, because their knowledge is too imperfect. History often reverses the decision of contemporaries.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
IἘμοὶ(Emoi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.care very little,ἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.however,δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.ifἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.I am judgedἀνακριθῶ(anakrithō)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 350:From ana and krino; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. investigate, interrogate, determine.byὑφ’(hyph’)Preposition
Strong's 5259:A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).youὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.orἢ(ē)Conjunction
Strong's 2228:Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.byὑπὸ(hypo)Preposition
Strong's 5259:A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).any humanἀνθρωπίνης(anthrōpinēs)Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 442:Belonging to human beings (especially as contrasted with God), human (as contrasted with divine). From anthropos; human.court.ἡμέρας(hēmeras)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.In fact,ἀλλ’(all’)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.I do not even judgeἀνακρίνω(anakrinō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 350:From ana and krino; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. investigate, interrogate, determine.myself.ἐμαυτὸν(emauton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1683:Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.
Links
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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:3 But with me it is a very (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) 
