1 Corinthians 4:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul says human verdicts about him weigh very little; he does not even rely on his own assessment of himself.
What Does 1 Corinthians 4:3 Mean?
The Corinthians had been sitting in judgment on their teachers, weighing one against another. Paul answers that their court holds almost no weight with him, and adds, strikingly, that he will not even render a final verdict on himself.
This is not arrogance but freedom. A servant accountable to the Master is released from the tyranny of others' opinions and from his own self-doubt alike. Paul does not pretend to be his own judge, because he knows how partial and limited human self-knowledge is. The believer who lives before God can hold both praise and criticism loosely, answering finally to One who sees clearly.
1 Corinthians 4:3 in the Original Language
anakrino (ἀνακρίνω), 'judged' -- to examine or interrogate, as in a preliminary court inquiry that sifts evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 4:3
What does 1 Corinthians 4:3 mean?
Paul says human verdicts about him weigh very little; he does not even rely on his own assessment of himself.