1 Corinthians 4 & 5

jwp · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2003 3:31 pm Post subject: 1 Corinthians 4 & 5

Paul is saying not ot judge in 1Cor 4:3-5, but in 1Cor 5:3 he is saying that he has aready passed judgment on the man. Please help me understand this. Thanks.

Van · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2003 4:06 pm Post subject: 1 Corinthians 4 & 5

Great question. It is a myth that we are not to judge. We are not to judge others by standards that we do not met, John 7:24. But if someone comes with a different gospel, we are to reject it, so we must judge the content of the message. We are to select leaders using the criteria given in Titus 1:5-9 and elsewhere which requires forming judgements concerning other people.

We are not to be biased, getting the log out of our own eye before we work on the speck in another's eye. We are to do unto others as we would want them to do unto us. Hypocrites would destroy an assembly of believers, saying live by the Word of God, but doing things clearly inconsistent with the Word. Especially leaders. The leaders of an assembly must confront (in gentleness and love) evildoing with integrety, Galatians 6:1. If, for example a married person was leading a ministry (say a small group leader) and he was spending too much time with alone with a single lady, he should be warned. Not because the person doing the warning could not also be snared by lust, but because we all need support and help and aid in avoiding opportunities to fail big time.

I see I am rambling. Sorry.

[This message has been edited by Van (edited 01-22-2003).]

Kindgo · Tadpole Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 20

Being God’s servants, we answer only to Him,
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. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you: Paul insists that their (low) estimation of him really matters little; it is what God judges that is important (he who judges me is the Lord).

Can, or should, every Christian today have the same attitude? Should we have no or little regard for what other Christians think about us, and just say he who judges me is the Lord?

We can only say this, in the full sense that Paul means it, if we are apostles. If the Corinthians were to claim that Paul could not judge them, and that they would simply wait for God’s judgment, Paul would remind them that he is a father to them, and has the right to correct their behavior.

In fact, I do not even judge myself: Even our estimation of our self is usually wrong. We are almost always too hard or too easy on ourselves. Paul recognizes this, and so will suspend judgment even upon himself. In the end, he who judges me is the Lord.

For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this: Paul also recognizes that he does not stand in a perfect state of justification or innocence just because his conscience was clear.

Paul knew his righteousness came from Jesus, not from his own personal life – even though he had a godly walk.

Therefore judge nothing before the time: It is as if Paul were saying, “You Corinthians act like judges at athletic events, qualified to give some the trophy and to send others away as losers.

But Jesus is the only judge, and you are judging before the events are over.”

Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of men’s hearts: When Jesus judges, it will be according to the motives of the heart, not only the outward action.

This is another reason why human judgment is often wrong, and why Paul feels free to disregard the harsh judgment of the Corinthian Christians towards himself.

Each one’s praise will come from God: Paul knew he had little praise from the Corinthian Christians, but that did not concern him. He knew there was a day coming when our praise will come from God, not from man.

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God bless,
Kindgo

The Lord told us to look for the Blessed Hope. He encouraged us to be joyful as we await the
Bridegroom who may call us up at any time. Scripture after scripture after scripture instructs us to look to Israel as God's timepiece. Jesus listed the signs of the times for us and we are to recognize them, NOT deny them. We are to know the difference between the church and national Israel and celebrate Israel's future deliverence. Pretribbers strive to obey all of these wonderful things.