-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
B
This passage in the context... using the preceding chapter as introduction... seems best describing/illuminating the "wheat and tares parable". The audience and intent is the Community of believers <the church>, Paul is admonishing them <us> to not JUDGE <unto condemnation> people within the body, rather always be willing to consider the prospect of repentance because the LORD is the ultimate judge regarding where a person spends eternity... HE knows the innermost being of man and by this we will praise HIM for his righteous justice/Judgement.
Does that help you?
Does that help you?
When I think of this verse I always gravitate to the motives of men...today many will judge the outward with the eyes and what they perceive...for example...I have had people walk up half way through a conversation, interject a comment because they assumed they knew what the whole conversation was about based upon a few things they heard.....being totally oblivious to the facts and actual conversation....this same type of call is made against many and generally applied unto motive...only God can see motive....we are not to judge motive before the day of Christ because the (hidden things of darkness) and the (counsels of the heart) cannot be rightfully discerned and or judged by any man except JESUS (as God). This is speaking to the Lord's church at Corinth and is indicative of believers........
J
Whenever a passage of scripture begins with "therefore", we need to take into account what had previously been said in order to properly understand it. In this case, Paul had just finished speaking about how every man's work will be tried by fire by the Lord Himself one day, so the context seems to be that of final judgment.
Btw, seeing how the timing of the writing of the gospels is always in question, I'm wondering if Paul wasn't familiar with Jesus' words as recorded in Luke's gospel which was seemingly already in circulation at that time:
"For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luke 12:2-3)
Btw, seeing how the timing of the writing of the gospels is always in question, I'm wondering if Paul wasn't familiar with Jesus' words as recorded in Luke's gospel which was seemingly already in circulation at that time:
"For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luke 12:2-3)
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 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. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
(1Co 4:1-5)
Motives/ purpose of heart seems to be the thing we shouldn't be judging in another. In this case it was Paul's faithfulness and motivation in ministry which was being questioned.
(1Co 4:1-5)
Motives/ purpose of heart seems to be the thing we shouldn't be judging in another. In this case it was Paul's faithfulness and motivation in ministry which was being questioned.
L
A good study Bible really can help us when we are seeking out some answers to what other believers have found out regarding verses we might be confused about. It certainly can help us draw our own conclusions based on the accompanying verses used along with study. With so much Bible information out there, we do not have to wonder long about what took years for some others to study out in comparing what Scripture with what other Scripture. We do live in amazing times.
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.Note 2 at 1Co 4:3: This is a wonderful truth. We should not judge ourselves. Paul was not critical of himself.Just from a logical standpoint, we are the least qualified to evaluate ourselves; it's impossible to be truly objective or impartial. Those who honestly try to be unbiased usually overreact and therefore tend to be harder on themselves than anyone else would be. We are our own worst critics.In Php 3:15, Paul gave us a key to how he kept on course. He said, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."Paul simply sought God with all his heart (that's what being "thus minded" means - Php 3:13-14), and he trusted God to reveal to him anything that needed to be changed. He was not introspective. He depended on God to keep him walking the straight and narrow.Being self-analytical can be a big inroad for Satan into people's lives. Those who are not seeking God have no other choice. They have to evaluate themselves. However, for those who are seeking the Lord, God Himself will take responsibility for pointing out the things that need to be dealt with in their lives.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.Note 3 at 1Co 4:5: This, of course, is not saying that God will give praise to even the ungodly. This is referring to those who have their works abide the fire of God's judgment 1 Cor. 3:13 Those individuals will receive praise from God.
What an awesome thought! It's conceivable to think that others would praise us for good deeds that we've done, but to think that the Lord Himself would praise us is amazing. This is especially true when Paul went on to say in 1Co 4:7 that any good thing that we have did not originate from us. It was a gift from God.
This praise from God is more indicative of God's love and grace than it is of our faithfulness. It will certainly be an honor to hear the God of the universe praise us openly in front of every person who has ever lived, but there will not be inflated egos as a result. It will be very clear that all the glory goes directly to God.
Last edited: