The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 4:3 Explained

1 Corinthians 4:3

KJV: 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.

YLT: and to me it is for a very little thing that by you I may be judged, or by man's day, but not even myself do I judge,

Darby: But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I even examine myself.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 1 Corinthians 4:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

It mattered little to Paul how well the Corinthians or anyone else thought he was carrying out his stewardship, how popular or unpopular he was. His personal evaluations of his own performance were irrelevant too. What did matter to him was God"s estimation of his service. Paul did not give much time and attention to introspection, though he sought to live with a good conscience before God. Rather he concentrated on doing the job God had put before him to the best of his ability since he was accountable (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:13).

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 4:1-13 - Stewards Responsible To Their Lord
At the most the ministers or teachers of God's Gospel are but stewards of the hidden things of God, according to Matthew 13:51-52. They ought not to attract attention to themselves or to the way they purvey their Master's goods. Their prime object is to be faithful to their trust; to make much of the Master and as little as possible of themselves. Paul was not aware that he had violated his Master's confidence, but he could not be content till he had heard the Master's verdict on his life-work. Notice the four courts of appeal-my own judgment, your judgment, man's judgment, and Christ's. The Master will reverse many human judgments, but all will bear witness to the absolute justice of His verdict.
In vivid words the Apostle shows how great was the difference between the ease and self-satisfaction of the Corinthian church and the sorry plight to which he and his fellow-workers were often reduced. Many regarded them as the captives in a conqueror's triumphal procession, who behind the triumphal car were being-marched to death. But it mattered little to them so long as Christ was adored, loved, glorified, and His Kingdom advanced. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 4

1  In what account the apostles ought to be regarded
7  We have nothing which we have not received
9  The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men;
13  the filth and offscouring of the world;
15  yet our fathers in Christ;
16  whom we ought to follow

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 4:3

But with me [εμοι δε]
The ethical dative of personal relation and interest, “as I look at my own case.” Cf. Philemon 1:21. [source]
It is a very small thing [εις ελαχιστον εστιν]
This predicate use of εις — eis is like the Hebrew, but it occurs also in the papyri. The superlative ελαχιστον — elachiston is elative, very little, not the true superlative, least. “It counts for very little with me.” That I should be judged of you (ινα υπ υμων ανακριτω — hina huph' humōn anakrithō). Same use of ινα — hina as in 1 Corinthians 4:2. For the verb (first aorist passive subjunctive of ανακρινω — anakrinō) see note on 1 Corinthians 2:14. Paul does not despise public opinion, but he denies “the competency of the tribunal” in Corinth (Robertson and Plummer) to pass on his credentials with Christ as his Lord. Or of man‘s judgement Or “by human day,” in contrast to the Lord‘s Day (der Tag) in 1 Corinthians 3:13. “That is the tribunal which the Apostle recognizes; a human tribunal he does not care to satisfy” (Robertson and Plummer). Yea, I judge not mine own self (αλλ ουδε εμαυτον ανακρινω — all' oude emauton anakrinō). Αλλα — Alla here is confirmatory, not adversative. “I have often wondered how it is that every man sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others” (M. Aurelius, xii. 4. Translated by Robertson and Plummer). Paul does not even set himself up as judge of himself. [source]
That I should be judged of you [ινα υπ υμων ανακριτω]
Same use of ινα — hina as in 1 Corinthians 4:2. For the verb (first aorist passive subjunctive of ανακρινω — anakrinō) see note on 1 Corinthians 2:14. Paul does not despise public opinion, but he denies “the competency of the tribunal” in Corinth (Robertson and Plummer) to pass on his credentials with Christ as his Lord. [source]
Or of man‘s judgement [η υπο αντρωπινης ημερας]
Or “by human day,” in contrast to the Lord‘s Day (der Tag) in 1 Corinthians 3:13. “That is the tribunal which the Apostle recognizes; a human tribunal he does not care to satisfy” (Robertson and Plummer). Yea, I judge not mine own self (αλλ ουδε εμαυτον ανακρινω — all' oude emauton anakrinō). Αλλα — Alla here is confirmatory, not adversative. “I have often wondered how it is that every man sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others” (M. Aurelius, xii. 4. Translated by Robertson and Plummer). Paul does not even set himself up as judge of himself. [source]
Yea, I judge not mine own self [αλλ ουδε εμαυτον ανακρινω]
Αλλα — Alla here is confirmatory, not adversative. “I have often wondered how it is that every man sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others” (M. Aurelius, xii. 4. Translated by Robertson and Plummer). Paul does not even set himself up as judge of himself. [source]
A very small thing [εἰς ἐλάχιστον]
Lit., unto a very small thing: it amounts to very little. [source]
Judged []
See on 1 Corinthians 2:14. Rev., in margin, examined. [source]
Man's judgment [ἀνθρωπίνης ἡμέρας]
Lit., man's day, in contrast with the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:5). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 4:3

1 Corinthians 4:8 Now ye are full [ἤδη κεκορεσμένοι ἐστέ]
Rev., better, filled. Ironical contrast between their attitude and that of the apostle in 1 Corinthians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 4:4. We are hungering for further revelations; ye are already filled without waiting for the Lord's coming. [source]
1 Corinthians 2:14 Discerned [ἀνακρίνεται]
Rev., judged. Used only by Luke and Paul, and by the latter in this epistle only. By Luke, mostly of judicial examination: Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; Acts 12:19; Acts 24:8; Acts 28:18. Of examining the Scriptures, Acts 17:11, but with the sense of proving or coming to a judgment on. The fundamental idea of the word is examination, scrutiny, following up ( ἀνά ) a series of objects or particulars in order to distinguish ( κρίνω ). This is its almost universal meaning in classical Greek. At Athens it was used technically in two senses: to examine magistrates with a view to proving their qualifications; and to examine persons concerned in a suit, so as to prepare the matter for trial, as a grand jury. The meaning judged is, at best, inferential, and the Rev. inserts examined in the margin. Bishop Lightfoot says: “ Ανακρίνειν is neither to judge nor to discern; but to examine, investigate, inquire into, question, as it is rightly translated, 1 Corinthians 9:3; 1 Corinthians 10:25, 1 Corinthians 10:27. The apostle condemns all these impatient human praejudicia which anticipate the final judgment, reserving his case for the great tribunal, where at length all the evidence will be forthcoming and a satisfactory verdict can be given. Meanwhile the process of gathering evidence has begun; an ἀνάκρισις investigationis indeed being held, not, however, by these self-appointed magistrates, but by one who alone has the authority to institute the inquiry, and the ability to sift the facts” (“On a Fresh Revision of the New Testament”). See, further, on 1 Corinthians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 4:4. [source]
1 Corinthians 10:13 Common to man [ἀνθρώπινος]
The word means what belongs to men, human. It occurs mostly in this epistle; once in Romans 6:19, meaning after the manner of men, popularly (see note). See James 3:7; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 4:3. It may mean here a temptation which is human, i.e., incident or common to man, as A.V., or, inferentially, a temptation adapted to human strength; such as man can bear, Rev. The words are added as an encouragement, to offset the warning “let him that thinketh,” etc. They are in danger and must watch, but the temptation will not be beyond their strength. [source]
1 Corinthians 14:24 Is judged [ανακρινεται]
Is tested. Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 4:3. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:3 To them that examine me [τοις εμε ανακρινουσιν]
See note on 1 Corinthians 2:15; note on 1 Corinthians 4:3. The critics in Corinth were “investigating” Paul with sharp eyes to find faults. How often the pastor is under the critic‘s spy-glass. [source]
Hebrews 1:5 A father - a son [εἰς πατέρα - εἰς υἱόν]
Lit. for or as a father - son. This usage of εἰς mostly in O.T. citations or established formulas. See Matthew 19:5; Luke 2:34; Acts 19:27; 1 Corinthians 4:3. [source]
James 3:4 Though they are so great [τηλικαυτα οντα]
Concessive participle of ειμι — eimi The quantitative pronoun τηλικουτος — tēlikoutos occurs in the N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 1:10; Hebrews 2:3; Revelation 16:18. If James had only seen the modern mammoth ships. But the ship on which Paul went to Malta carried 276 persons (Acts 27:37).And are driven (και ελαυνομενα — kai elaunomena). Present passive participle of ελαυνω — elaunō old verb, in this sense (2 Peter 2:17) for rowing (Mark 6:48; John 6:19).Rough Old adjective (from σκελλω — skellō to dry up), harsh, stiff, hard (Matthew 25:24).Are yet turned (μεταγεται — metagetai). Present passive indicative of the same verb, μεταγω — metagō in James 3:3. James is fond of repeating words (James 1:13.; James 2:14, James 2:16; James 2:21, James 2:25).By a very small rudder For the use of υπο — hupo (under) with things see Luke 8:14; 2 Peter 2:7. There is possibly personification in the use of υπο — hupo for agency in James 1:14; James 2:9; Colossians 2:18. Πηδαλιου — Pēdaliou (from πηδον — pēdon the blade of an oar) is an old word, in N.T. only here and Acts 27:40. Ελαχιστου — Elachistou is the elative superlative as in 1 Corinthians 4:3 (from the Epic ελαχυς — elachus for μικρος — mikros).The impulse (η ορμη — hē hormē). Old word for rapid, violent motion, here of the hand that worked the rudder, in N.T. only here and Acts 14:5 (rush or onset of the people).Of the steersman Present active genitive articular participle of ευτυνω — euthunō old verb, to make straight (from ευτυς — euthus straight, level, Mark 1:3), in N.T. only here and John 1:23. Used also of the shepherd, the charioteer, and today it would apply to the chauffeur. “The twin figure of the control of horse and of ship are frequently found together in later Greek writers” (Ropes). As in Plutarch and Philo.Willeth (βουλεται — bouletai). Present middle indicative of βουλομαι — boulomai common verb to will. Here intention of the steersman lies back of the impact of the hand on the rudder. [source]
James 3:4 Rough [σκληρον]
Old adjective (from σκελλω — skellō to dry up), harsh, stiff, hard (Matthew 25:24).Are yet turned (μεταγεται — metagetai). Present passive indicative of the same verb, μεταγω — metagō in James 3:3. James is fond of repeating words (James 1:13.; James 2:14, James 2:16; James 2:21, James 2:25).By a very small rudder For the use of υπο — hupo (under) with things see Luke 8:14; 2 Peter 2:7. There is possibly personification in the use of υπο — hupo for agency in James 1:14; James 2:9; Colossians 2:18. Πηδαλιου — Pēdaliou (from πηδον — pēdon the blade of an oar) is an old word, in N.T. only here and Acts 27:40. Ελαχιστου — Elachistou is the elative superlative as in 1 Corinthians 4:3 (from the Epic ελαχυς — elachus for μικρος — mikros).The impulse (η ορμη — hē hormē). Old word for rapid, violent motion, here of the hand that worked the rudder, in N.T. only here and Acts 14:5 (rush or onset of the people).Of the steersman Present active genitive articular participle of ευτυνω — euthunō old verb, to make straight (from ευτυς — euthus straight, level, Mark 1:3), in N.T. only here and John 1:23. Used also of the shepherd, the charioteer, and today it would apply to the chauffeur. “The twin figure of the control of horse and of ship are frequently found together in later Greek writers” (Ropes). As in Plutarch and Philo.Willeth (βουλεται — bouletai). Present middle indicative of βουλομαι — boulomai common verb to will. Here intention of the steersman lies back of the impact of the hand on the rudder. [source]
James 3:4 By a very small rudder [υπο ελαχιστου πηδαλιου]
For the use of υπο — hupo (under) with things see Luke 8:14; 2 Peter 2:7. There is possibly personification in the use of υπο — hupo for agency in James 1:14; James 2:9; Colossians 2:18. Πηδαλιου — Pēdaliou (from πηδον — pēdon the blade of an oar) is an old word, in N.T. only here and Acts 27:40. Ελαχιστου — Elachistou is the elative superlative as in 1 Corinthians 4:3 (from the Epic ελαχυς — elachus for μικρος — mikros).The impulse (η ορμη — hē hormē). Old word for rapid, violent motion, here of the hand that worked the rudder, in N.T. only here and Acts 14:5 (rush or onset of the people).Of the steersman Present active genitive articular participle of ευτυνω — euthunō old verb, to make straight (from ευτυς — euthus straight, level, Mark 1:3), in N.T. only here and John 1:23. Used also of the shepherd, the charioteer, and today it would apply to the chauffeur. “The twin figure of the control of horse and of ship are frequently found together in later Greek writers” (Ropes). As in Plutarch and Philo.Willeth (βουλεται — bouletai). Present middle indicative of βουλομαι — boulomai common verb to will. Here intention of the steersman lies back of the impact of the hand on the rudder. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 4:3 mean?

Me however to the smallest matter it is that by you I be examined or by a human court In fact neither myself do I examine
Ἐμοὶ δὲ εἰς ἐλάχιστόν ἐστιν ἵνα ὑφ’ ὑμῶν ἀνακριθῶ ὑπὸ ἀνθρωπίνης ἡμέρας ἀλλ’ οὐδὲ ἐμαυτὸν ἀνακρίνω

Ἐμοὶ  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐλάχιστόν  the  smallest  matter 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Superlative
Root: ἐλάχιστος  
Sense: smallest least.
ἐστιν  it  is 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἀνακριθῶ  I  be  examined 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀνακρίνω  
Sense: examine or judge.
ἀνθρωπίνης  a  human 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀνθρώπινος  
Sense: human.
ἡμέρας  court 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
ἀλλ’  In  fact 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἀλλά  
Sense: but.
οὐδὲ  neither 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
ἐμαυτὸν  myself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμαυτοῦ  
Sense: I, me, myself etc.
ἀνακρίνω  do  I  examine 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀνακρίνω  
Sense: examine or judge.

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