Proper Judging – 1 Corinthians 4:1-7

Cami Ostman tells a personal story of how she and a friend were misunderstood and criticized when they lost track of a marathon route because of a late start and ended up following the runners ahead of them as they circled back on the route.  Everyone thought they were cheating.  The apostle Paul was wrongly judged as well, and it revealed something very wrong about the church at Corinth.

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.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?  (1 Corinthians 4:1-7 ESV)

The Corinthians have been judging Paul and the other teachers by external things like eloquence of speech and philosophical communication, but they don’t really know the motives of each teacher’s heart.  Only God knows that, and so Paul, though he seeks to keep his conscience clear and know his own motives, ultimately knows God alone can and will judge him. 

The Corinthians should judge by whether the teacher correctly stewards the mysteries of God and leave motive judgment to God.  It is likely that with their external judging they were also judging Paul’s motives to be wrong.  This is evident in 2 Corinthians (ch. 1 where he knows that they think he makes big claims that he does not intend to fulfill and that he is wishy washy about visiting them, or even scared to visit them) and he’ll allude to it here.

If the Corinthians could see that their enrichment in the form of spiritual gifts and gifted teachers who have ministered among them all comes from God there would be no reason to boast or get conceited against one another about who follows the best person.  Are you rich in insight?  God gave you that?  Are you rich in talents?  God gave you that.  Are you blessed with capable leaders?  God gave you that.  Should the beauty queen boast about how pretty she is when God gave her her looks?  Neither should we boast in the good things God has given us.