1 Corinthians 4:3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

◄ 1 Corinthians 4:3 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

English Standard Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.

King James Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is of little importance to me that I should be evaluated by you or by any human court. In fact, I don't even evaluate myself.

International Standard Version
It is a very small thing to me that I should be examined by you or by any human court. In fact, I don't even evaluate myself.

American Standard Version
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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man's day; but neither do I judge my own self.

Darby Bible Translation
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.

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

4:1-6 Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our own judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

3. 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 (1Co 3:13) of the Lord (1Co 4:5; 1Th 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" (1Co 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.