1 Corinthians 4:3
Verse
Context
Sermons
John Gill
Arno Clemens Gaebelein 
St. John ChrysostomSt. John Chrysostom
Harmon A. Baldwin
Philip Doddridge
James ArminiusSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
It 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 - Η ὑπο ανθρωπινης ἡμερας, literally, or of man's day: but ανθρωπινη ἡμερα signifies any day set apart by a judge or magistrate to try a man on. This is the meaning of ἡμερα, Psa 37:13 : The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his Day, ἡ ἡμερα αυτου, his judgment is coming. Mal 3:17 : And they shall be mine in the Day, εις ἡμεραν, in the judgment, when I make up my jewels. It has the same meaning in Pe2 3:10 : But the Day, the Judgment, of the Lord will come. The word ανθρωπινος, man's, signifies miserable, wretched, woful; so Jer 17:16 : Neither have I desired, יום אנוש yom enosh, the day of man; but very properly translated in our version, the woful day. God's Days, Job 24:1, certainly signify God's Judgments. And the Day of our Lord Jesus, in this epistle, Co1 1:8; Co1 5:5, signifies the day in which Christ will judge the world; or rather the judgment itself. I judge not mine own self - I leave myself entirely to God, whose I am, and whom I serve.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 (Co1 3:13) of the Lord (Co1 4:5; Th1 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 "judged . . . judge . . . judgeth" (Co1 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.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But with me it is a very small thing,.... It stood for little or nothing, was of no account with him, what judgment and censures were passed on him by men with regard to his faithfulness in the ministry not even by the Corinthians themselves: that I should be judged of you; not that the apostle declined, or despised the judgment of a church of Christ, rightly disposed, and met together in the fear of God, to try prove, and judge of his ministry, and his fidelity in it; but he made no account of theirs, and slighted it as being under bad influence, the influence of the false teachers, who had insinuated many things among them to the prejudice of the apostle's character; wherefore he set it at nought and rejected it, and rightly refused to submit to it, and, indeed, to any mere human judgment: or of man's judgment: it is in the Greek text, "or of man's day": in distinction from the day of the Lord, or the day of judgment; and because that men have their stated days for judgment, and because of the clearness of evidence, according to which judgment should proceed. This is not a Cilicism, as Jerom thought, but an Hebraism; so the Septuagint render , in Jer 17:16 , "man's day"; and very frequently in the Talmud (r) is the distinction of , "the judgments of God" and , "the judgments of men"; the former the apostle was willing to be subject to, but not to the latter; he appealed from men to God; he cared not what any man thought or said, or judged of him; he not only was indifferent to the judgment of the Corinthians concerning him, whether they did or did not praise him, but of any other person; and so the Syriac version renders it, , "or of any man": he adds, yea I judge not mine own self; for though as a spiritual man he judged all things, and so himself, his conduct, state, and condition; examined his own heart and ways, and was able to form a judgment of what he was and did; yet he chose not to stand and fall by his own judgment; and since he would not abide by his own judgment, who best knew himself, much less would he be subject to theirs, or any human judgment, who must be greater strangers to him; and this he said, not as conscious to himself of any unfaithfulness in his ministerial work. (r) T. Bab Bava Koma, fol. 22. 2. 29. 1. 47. 2. 55. 2. 56. 1. 91. 1. 98. 1. & Bava Metzia, fol. 82. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:3-4 Paul’s deepest desire was that he be found faithful before God. Human assessments of him—by himself or others—didn’t matter.
1 Corinthians 4:3
Servants of Christ
2Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.3I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.4My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
2 Peter 3:12
By John Gill0EschatologyReadiness for Christ's ReturnMAT 24:42LUK 12:35ROM 8:191CO 4:31TH 5:2HEB 10:25JAS 5:72PE 3:10REV 20:11REV 22:12John Gill emphasizes the significance of eagerly anticipating the day of God, which refers to Christ's second coming and final judgment. He explains that this day will reveal God's true nature and fulfill His promises, distinguishing it from human judgment. Believers are encouraged to look forward to this day with faith and love, actively praying for its hastening while remaining prepared and vigilant in their spiritual lives. Gill highlights the dual nature of this day, bringing both grace to the faithful and judgment to the wicked, ultimately culminating in God's eternal reign. The sermon calls for a readiness and eagerness among the saints as they await this glorious event.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
By Arno Clemens Gaebelein0ISA 28:16JER 27:5EZK 11:22DAN 2:44MAT 21:44LUK 21:241CO 4:3REV 17:12Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches on the prophetic unfolding in the Book of Daniel, focusing on the great pivotal chapter introducing the times of the Gentiles. The chapter reveals the succession of world empires through the vision of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, symbolized by a great image with different metals representing Babylon, Medo-Persia, Graeco-Macedonian, and Rome. The stone cut out of the mountain, striking the image's ten toes, symbolizes Christ's Second Coming to establish His eternal Kingdom after the final form of Gentile dominion is judged. Gaebelein emphasizes the importance of understanding the prophetic timeline and the imminent fulfillment of these events.
Philippians 2:1-4
By St. John Chrysostom01SA 2:30PSA 51:16DAN 2:30ACT 3:121CO 4:32CO 4:5PHP 2:2John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of unity, love, and humility among believers, emphasizing the need to have the same mind, love one another, and be of one accord. He urges against selfish ambition, vainglory, and factionalism, highlighting the significance of considering others better than oneself. Chrysostom stresses that true joy is found in fulfilling the joy of others through compassion, love, and tender mercies, ultimately reflecting the love and fellowship in Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 139:12ECC 1:2MAT 7:1ACT 2:37ROM 6:7ROM 8:27ROM 14:101CO 4:31CO 6:3HEB 4:12John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of judgment and the importance of humility, highlighting the need to refrain from harshly judging others and to focus on self-reflection. He emphasizes that true judgment belongs to the Lord, who sees the hidden things of darkness and the intentions of the heart. Chrysostom warns against the disease of covetousness and the restless pursuit of wealth, urging listeners to consider the consequences of their actions and to show compassion towards those in need. He encourages a shift in perspective from worldly desires to spiritual gain, reminding that true wealth lies in righteousness and compassion.
Inconsistencies in Professors
By Harmon A. Baldwin0PRO 21:2MAT 7:61CO 4:31TI 6:3TIT 1:16In his sermon, Harmon A. Baldwin addresses objections to holiness based on the inconsistencies seen in the lives of believers. He compares the existence of counterfeit money to counterfeit holiness, emphasizing that the presence of fake holiness does not diminish the value of true holiness but rather highlights its beauty and grace. Baldwin challenges the notion that inconsistencies in some believers' lives discredit the doctrine of holiness, pointing out that good doctrines serve as a restraint against evil deeds. He also questions the authority of unsanctified individuals to judge the holiness of others, highlighting the importance of God as the ultimate judge of sanctification.
The Sinner Sentenced
By Philip Doddridge0JOB 42:4PSA 9:17EZK 18:4MAT 25:41LUK 18:13ACT 17:311CO 4:32CO 5:10GAL 3:10Philip Doddridge delivers a powerful sermon warning sinners about the impending judgement day, emphasizing the universal curse pronounced by God's law on all transgressors, leading to death and eternal damnation in hell. The sermon vividly describes the solemnity of the judgement process and the specific illustration of the sentence 'Depart, accursed,' highlighting the immediate execution that follows. Sinners are urged to prepare for enduring the terrifying consequences of their actions, with a reflection provided for those struck with the terror of their sentence, prompting a plea for mercy and a desperate search for a way to escape the impending doom.
The Assurance of Salvation
By James Arminius01CO 4:3James Arminius discusses the assurance of salvation, emphasizing that believers in Jesus Christ can be certain and persuaded of their status as children of God, standing in His grace. This assurance is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within the believer, the fruits of faith, the believer's conscience, and the testimony of God's Spirit. Arminius believes that a person can confidently face death without fear, yet should continually pray for mercy. He acknowledges that ultimate judgment lies with the Lord, cautioning against equating the assurance of salvation with the certainty of God's existence and Christ's role as Savior.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
It 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 - Η ὑπο ανθρωπινης ἡμερας, literally, or of man's day: but ανθρωπινη ἡμερα signifies any day set apart by a judge or magistrate to try a man on. This is the meaning of ἡμερα, Psa 37:13 : The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his Day, ἡ ἡμερα αυτου, his judgment is coming. Mal 3:17 : And they shall be mine in the Day, εις ἡμεραν, in the judgment, when I make up my jewels. It has the same meaning in Pe2 3:10 : But the Day, the Judgment, of the Lord will come. The word ανθρωπινος, man's, signifies miserable, wretched, woful; so Jer 17:16 : Neither have I desired, יום אנוש yom enosh, the day of man; but very properly translated in our version, the woful day. God's Days, Job 24:1, certainly signify God's Judgments. And the Day of our Lord Jesus, in this epistle, Co1 1:8; Co1 5:5, signifies the day in which Christ will judge the world; or rather the judgment itself. I judge not mine own self - I leave myself entirely to God, whose I am, and whom I serve.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 (Co1 3:13) of the Lord (Co1 4:5; Th1 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 "judged . . . judge . . . judgeth" (Co1 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.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But with me it is a very small thing,.... It stood for little or nothing, was of no account with him, what judgment and censures were passed on him by men with regard to his faithfulness in the ministry not even by the Corinthians themselves: that I should be judged of you; not that the apostle declined, or despised the judgment of a church of Christ, rightly disposed, and met together in the fear of God, to try prove, and judge of his ministry, and his fidelity in it; but he made no account of theirs, and slighted it as being under bad influence, the influence of the false teachers, who had insinuated many things among them to the prejudice of the apostle's character; wherefore he set it at nought and rejected it, and rightly refused to submit to it, and, indeed, to any mere human judgment: or of man's judgment: it is in the Greek text, "or of man's day": in distinction from the day of the Lord, or the day of judgment; and because that men have their stated days for judgment, and because of the clearness of evidence, according to which judgment should proceed. This is not a Cilicism, as Jerom thought, but an Hebraism; so the Septuagint render , in Jer 17:16 , "man's day"; and very frequently in the Talmud (r) is the distinction of , "the judgments of God" and , "the judgments of men"; the former the apostle was willing to be subject to, but not to the latter; he appealed from men to God; he cared not what any man thought or said, or judged of him; he not only was indifferent to the judgment of the Corinthians concerning him, whether they did or did not praise him, but of any other person; and so the Syriac version renders it, , "or of any man": he adds, yea I judge not mine own self; for though as a spiritual man he judged all things, and so himself, his conduct, state, and condition; examined his own heart and ways, and was able to form a judgment of what he was and did; yet he chose not to stand and fall by his own judgment; and since he would not abide by his own judgment, who best knew himself, much less would he be subject to theirs, or any human judgment, who must be greater strangers to him; and this he said, not as conscious to himself of any unfaithfulness in his ministerial work. (r) T. Bab Bava Koma, fol. 22. 2. 29. 1. 47. 2. 55. 2. 56. 1. 91. 1. 98. 1. & Bava Metzia, fol. 82. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:3-4 Paul’s deepest desire was that he be found faithful before God. Human assessments of him—by himself or others—didn’t matter.