1 Corinthians 4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yes, I judge not my own self.… The apostle here teaches us that all pretensions to a certain knowledge of other men's sincerity in religion are rash and unwarrantable. 1. We are in some cases more competent judges of the wickedness than of the goodness of men's hearts. Particular acts of sin are incident to good men. But the habitual indulgence of sin is characteristic of the wicked only. But then, on the other hand, we cannot with equal certainty pronounce any man to be holy; for worldly motives may operate on corrupt hearts to produce the appearance of holiness. 2. Though we cannot absolutely determine any man's godly sincerity, yet we may form such a charitable judgment concerning our fellow Christians, as is sufficient to religious communion. We may have different degrees of evidence in favour of different persons, arising from their different attainments, or from our different acquaintance with them. But our judgment must always incline to the favourable side. We are to hope every man a saint, till we have conclusive evidence that he is not such. Having stated the doctrine in the text, note some arguments in support of it. I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF MEN'S HEARTS IS GOD'S PREROGATIVE. "I, the Lord, search the hearts," &c. It is on this ground that the apostle cautions us not to judge anything before the time. For us to judge the heart is to invade His throne. II. IT IS NO EASY MATTER FOR MEN TO KNOW THEIR OWN HEARTS. "The heart is deceitful above all things,... who can know it?" So the apostle says, "I judge not my own self," &c. We are cautioned not to deceive ourselves, nor to be deceived. III. WE CAN JUDGE THE HEARTS OF OTHERS ONLY BY EXTERNAL INDICATIONS. In conversing with a friend we may be much pleased with his doctrinal knowledge, religious sentiments, and professed experience. This, however, is but external evidence. We know not but he aims to deceive us, or may be deceived himself. Such works as are the proper fruits of faith are more solid evidence; for in these there is less room for dissimulation. But we may misjudge even here; for it is but a small part of any man's life which falls under our observation. IV. THE SCRIPTURE GIVES US MANY INSTANCES OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF HUMAN JUDGMENT IN THIS MATTER. All the disciples were deceived by the hypocrisy of Judas; and none of the first believers in Jerusalem could discern the sincerity of Paul. What arrogance, then, must it be in us to assume the bold pretension of ascertaining the existence of grace in other men's hearts! Wise is the caution given in the text. Conclusion: The subject suggests some useful remarks. 1. The spirit and temper of the primitive disciples afford a substantial evidence of the truth of our religion. They were not credulous, but cautious; not hasty in their judgment, but deliberate in their inquiries. 2. Worthy of our imitation is the prudence of the early Christians in regard to those whom they received as teachers of religion. In admitting members into the Church, they were liberal and candid; but in receiving public teachers they acted with great caution. They required, not only a present personal profession, but a testimony from others of previous good conduct. 3. The sentiment entertained by some, that there is in true Christians a kind of sympathy or fellowship, by which they infallibly know one another, appears to be irrational and unscriptural. 4. It is dangerous hastily to pronounce men in a converted state. This is judging before the time. As we cannot know others infallibly, so neither can we form a probable judgment of them speedily. 5. We cannot be sure of forming a pure Church on earth. (J. Lathrop, D. D.) Parallel Verses 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. |
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