1 Cor 4-5 Judging Notes
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How To Be Holy: Judge With Right Judgment
How To Be Holy: Judge With Right Judgment
To Judge or Not to Judge?
Paul says in 1 Cor 4:3-7
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?
“I do not even judge myself” “Do not pronounce the judgment before the time, before the Lord comes” - implying we WILL judge then!
“Each one will receive his commendation from God” - this is a form of judgment, an assessment of one’s life and fruitfulness, and corresponding reward or loss
5:3 “For though already absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing” — //to 1 Cor 4:21
What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Paul has JUDGED the man in his spirit!!! And he threatening to JUDGE the church—using the image of a ROD—like a father disciplining his children, if they do not address this situation with the proper church discipline! (root of the Islamic view of hating from the heart if you can’t change some evil circumstance? Anything good in Islam stems from Christianity/Judaism…)
and he is now expecting/exhorting the Corinthians to exercise actual, tangible discipline the excommunication of this man… “Deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord”
“Purge the evil person from among you.”
// to Jesus rebuke of the churches with false teachers, and did not get rid of them! but tolerated them. Same like Corinth in 2 Cor 11, “You put up with it readily enough!” the false teachers with false Jesus’ and false gospels...
Do not associate with “believers” who live in sin, sexual immorality.
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
Is it not those INSIDE the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. Purge the evil person from among you.
This can only happen in the context of a church membership.
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Goal of message:
To Train the Singles to KNOW the RIGHT form of judgment from the WRONG form of judgment. When to JUDGE, when NOT to judge!
Key Summary Sentence:
Outline:
Right Judging
fatherly, pastoral judgment? 1 Cor 5:3-4 for those in positions of authority; or even internal HEART judgment; hating something that you have no control to change; condemning the sin in your heart...
For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
Church discipline; corporate? 1 Cor 5:11-13, 2
1 Corinthians 5:2 (ESV)
And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. FOR though absent in body…as if present, I have already pronounced judgment...”
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
- You cannot really obey this outside of the local church!!
Future judgment/rule of believers 1 Cor 6:2-3
Our judment of the world in Millenium? In New Creation? In providing final sentences of who goes to Fire and who to Kingdom? RULING and condemning judgment. Psalm 2. We share his throne!
1 Corinthians 6:2–3 (ESV)
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Judging as SETTLING disputes, bringing about justice, resolving our conflicts maturely
Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Judging as assessing, discerning; discerning oneself, examining oneself or claims/teaching of others?
I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
- judge yourselves, discern the body? EXAMINING yourself!!! Searching your heart and life and repenting and making amends for all sin!
1 Cor 2 spiritual people judge all things but cannot be judged? Used in different senses?
Bad Judging
premature judging 1 Cor 4:5
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.
(worldly judging?) judging leaders according to worldly standards of eloquence and speech: favoritism, factionalism, 1 Cor 1:10-14
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
CONDEMNING judgment
Paul in v.4 is saying, I am not aware of anything in me worth condemning me. But that doesn’t mean I’m justified/innocent. It is the Lord who judges me, who brings to light the things hidden in darkness and discloses the purposes of the heart.”
He’s saying, there could be something in my heart that would condemn me—but I’m not conscious of it…
indicating that we ARE all liable to self-deception!!!!
Judging brothers and sisters on matters of Conscience!
Rom 14!
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
NOTICE: on matters of conscience and NON-essentials!!!
Judging God!
Rom 3:4
By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,
“That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you are judged.”
L: KRINO: judge, pass judgment on; consider, separate; select, prefer, express an opinoin about; pass an unfavorable judgment; come to a conclusion, decide, make up one’s mind
BDAG: ‘to set apart so as to distinguish, separate’, then by transference
② to pass judgment upon (and thereby seek to influence) the lives and actions of other people
(Jesus’ commands against it)
John 7:24 (ESV)
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Deut 16:18
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
2b
pass an unfavorable judgment upon, criticize, find fault with, condemn
Jas 4:11 condemned!
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (κρίνω)
why is my freedom (of action) to be unfavorably judged by another person’s scruples? 1 Cor 10:29.
Summary:
So this KRINO/ANALKRINO whether noun or adjective, is a BROAD word with great semantic range, ranging from the court of the law condemning an individual, the divine court of God in which one is deemed righteous or wicked, unto hell/heaven, as well as the giving an account of believers unto rewards/loss; it can also be used in the sense of evaluation, evaluating and thinking through a situation or an instruction/teaching to DISCERN the validity, significance, and meaning of something.
We are commanded as believers on one hand NOT to judge our brothers/sisters, on matters pertaining to conscience. Despising or condemning a fellow saint on secondary or tertiary matters (like food, drink, holy days etc.)—DIFF than gospel issues… (which brings us to the debate of HOW much must someone be able to articulate justif. by faith alone to be saved… are those who deny this—necessarily damned? Or are they perhaps denying it in terms only, semnatically, while believing the same general sentiment, just articulating it differently? I’m inclined toward the latter, given the dialogues I have listened to. NO doubt, though, there are Catholics and Orthodox who outright have a damning, anathematizing gospel… But someone like JMAC who doesn’t seemto have engaged with meaningful orthodox theologians, and damns them based off of his reading and interp of their words, seems to me so closed-minded. I respect him as a brother, but I despise this blanket-condemnation… for JMAC he’s taking the step of Paul in Gal 1, spaeking in confidence since he really believes they have forfeited the true gospel.)
So we are not to condemn or judge fellow believers on matters of consceince and issues not explicitly sinful—rather to PLEASE them, to SERVE them, to not put anything in the way of the brother, to show deference, to even lay down our rights for the sake of others. Those with a weak conscience ought NOT hoist their convictions upon others — why shoudl I be judged for what I consider clean? judged by anothers’ scruples? Judged as being less than, less holy, or sinning… WRONG WRONG WRONG.
HOWEVER, we ARE commanded to JUDGE our fellow man, our fellow believer in Christ, in the context of the corporate body of Christ, pertaining to CLEAR moral issues, like sexual immorality. Like the false taeaching of Balaam, the Nicolaitans, and Jezebel (Rev 2-3)— we are to discipline as a CHURCH—the congregation—purging them, not associating with them, REMOVING them from the assembly, as the newly constituted people of God, Israel of God!
We ARE to judge those INSIDE the church with the standards of morality and holiness Chirst has given us!
And we are to pass judgment through excommunication — removing them, barring them from the table — until they repent!
How does this work in our day, where there are so many churches and people just leave and go to another after discipline?
They do not need to repent!!! They can just pack their bags and wreak havoc at another church, like serpents and parasites, spreading gangrene.
We are NOT to JUDGE unbelievers.
GOD judges them. We are NOT to condemn those who are in the world, not yet saved. They remain in darkness! we are to LOVE such enemies of ours, pleasing them for their sake, serving them like Paul 1 Cor 9, so that we might WIN them!!!
Not raising questions/judgments on matters of conscience when with them, but seeking to do life next to them in such a way that would WIN them to Jesus~!!
BECOMING all things to all people to SAVE some.
As saints we are to JUDGE all things, discerning all things by the Holy Spirit — judging the claims of every leader, every preacher, every so-called revelation or philosophy, must be JUDGED, weighed, evaluated before the testimony of Scripture and tradition! the corporate voice of teh Church throughout history.
WS:
Judge (4:3) ἀνακριθῶ;
the different meanings and usages of this word
Judging as condemning
Judging as assessing, discerning
Judging as RULING in the new world (Lk 22:30?)
Judging as meting our just sentences… (or pronouncing justice, just sentences upon evildoers of God’s earthly and divine families on Judgment Day)
C: Paul seems to be using it in a VARIETY of ways...
One, in acquittal judgment type context of final judgment, assessing and weighing one’s works/life; used of the LORD bringing judgment upon the saints like Paul in the last day. End Time type Judgment should not be made now by mortal men...
“I do NOT judge myself” - in the sense of judging unto condemnation? or faithfulness. “FOr I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am NOT thereby acquitted. It is the LORD who judges me; ἀνακρίνων με κύριός ἐστιν
This judgment is something we will PARTICIPATE in when Jesus returns 4:5, 6:2-3!
Our future role in the final judgment… what will this look like????
Paul is rebuking the Corinthians for their over-realized eschatology, thinking that NOW was the time to live like kings in luxury and pomp… “ALREADY you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign so that we might share the rule with you!”
These “already’s” are indicating that THESE blessings WILL be fulfilled and given, as Paul articulates in 1 Cor 3:21-22… its just awaiting us in GLORY… NOT here and now in the physical.
Our current state of life is one of DEATH. Tribulation. The life of the apostles should be what’s more common than luxury and ease and comfort. (see 3:8-13); becoming the SCUM of the world!!!
Their RULE is connected with the future JUDGING we WILL experience; in Jesus words, giving his disciples thrones to JUDGE the 12 tribes.
the OT judges were RULERS! Were political, governing leaders! Mini-kings, vicegerents! THIS is to which God called us from the beginning… and this is how he has set up his church, with the proper hierarchy… this seems to flow with biblical history and redemptive progression...
Is the hierarchy entirerly removed in the New Cov?
Now that we ALL have the Spirit?
NO, God still gives Eph 4 officers to the church… expects them Heb 13 to be obeyed!
To be SUBJECT to them.
HUMAN Courts exercise ANAKRINO!
either condeming or justifying the accused!
SOUNDS like condemnation judging!!!!
E:
NASB: “It is insignificant that I would be examined by you…I do not even examine myself.” v.3; v. 4 it is the Lord who JUDGES me (so they change the English word). Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but WAIT until the Lord comes… who will bring to light things in darkness and disclose the MOTIVES of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God!
understanding Paul to be using it distinctly here b/w them, him, and the Lord...
Leg v.4 it is the Lord who examines me
HCSB: evaluates me is the Lord
NIV I care very little if I am judged by you or human court…I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
PAUL cares LITTLE about the ANAKRINO/judgment of the Corinthians.
He DOES NOT judge/ANAKRINO himself [similar to ch. 2, NO ONE should ANAKRINO/judge spiritual people (not just leaders)!!!! as the Corinthians were DOING, with Paul, Apollos, Cephas…]
the ANAKRINO of people, even of our Christian brothers and sisters SHOULDN’t affect, bother, or INFLUENCE us… Paul is UNMOVED by it.
NLT: It matters very little how I might be evaluated by you… I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. “It is the Lord who will examine me and will decide.
KJV: Therefore JUDGE nothing before the time...
Multiple say that at the judgment, “PRAISE will come to each one from God”
receiving the PRAISE/commendation of God!!!
A: 1 Cor 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 2:14–15 (ESV)
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
What kind of judgment is this? Judgment that we DO upon ALL things, but which cannot be done to us… ???
Judging claims of truth and revelation? We “judge” it in the sense of testing it with Scripture? Testing all things?
We are to ANAKRINO/judge ALL THINGS!!!!
to spiritually DISCERN/ANAKRINO the things of the Spirit,
to JUDGE claims/revelations; discerning what the Spirit is saying, interpreting and gathering meaning, wisdom, instruction from the words of GOd
BUT, are to be ANAKRINO/judged by NO ONE!!!!
1 Corinthians 9:3 (ESV)
This is my defense to those who would examine me.
Some were condemning Paul and disqualiftying him! They were ANAKRINO/examining him, unto judgment, disqualification...
I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
Paul uses this language a lot in speaking to the Corinthians to examine, consider, and WEIGH what Paul is saying!
Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
without raising any JUDGMENT/ANAKRINO on the ground of conscience
Don’t be hyper-conscious, in judging pagan food, in the meat market… don’t be occupied with ritual food laws when with pagans… just engage, eat, participate insofar as you are acting so as to SAVE this person! (1 Cor 10:33
just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
We seek to PLEASE unbelievers — give them NO unnecessary offense — not seeking our own advantage, but that of MANY, that they might be saved...
BE FREE from the judgments of conscience when with unbelievers...
Feel free to share a cup of wine with unbelievers!
Seek the GOOD of your neighbor!!! As Loukas and I did when visiting the Hindu temple.
1 Corinthians 11:31–32 (ESV)
But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
it is time for judgment to BEGIN with us! God’s judgment for the saints is our DISCIPLINE!!!! God disciplines us, chastises us, afflicts us, sparing us the wrath to come upon unrepentant sinners and preparing us for glory
1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (ESV)
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
- WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!
He is lit. “JUDGED” anakrino by all, and the secrets of his heart are disclosed, leading to his repentance, worship! salvation!
the Spirit convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment!!!
- He brings the judgment of sin NOW so as to bring us to repentance, and send all our sins to the cross, where Christ has borne our judgment and wrath.
P: JUDGE us NOW Oh God! Judge my hearers! O LORD through my words, CALL PEOPLE TO ACCOUNT!!!! JUDGE them! CONVICT them!!!!!!!!!
convicted by all.
called to account by all NIV: brought under JUDGMENT by all; NLT judged by what you say.
JUDGE as CALLED TO ACCOUNT — leading to repentance and worship!
CF’s:
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
hypocritical KRINO
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Again, JDUGMENT upon CONSCIENCE issues is WRONG!!!!!! “Despising your brother” in next breath. Condemning brother for matters of conscience!
WRONG
And Paul warns of having reason to pass judgment on yourself for what you “approve”; but if ou have DOUBTS over something, and you do it against conscience, you are “condemned” b/c you are not acting in faith.
Zechariah 7:9 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,
These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;
Jn 7
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Context for this?
Condemning judgment vs discerning judgment…
assessing, discerning…
NOT being hypocritical!!!
The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
Ninevites participating in condemning the unrepentant generation of Jesus’ day AT the Final Judgment.
We will participate in the final judgment as SAINTS!!!
(same in Matt 12:42 with Queen of Sheba, rising up and condemning the unrepentant at the judgment)
Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
The promise of JEsus to his apostles… JUDGING on thrones over Israel [ethnic or spiritual Israel?… I think reconstituted spiritual Israel… but I’m not sure… OR the RENEWED Israel, the “fullness of the Jews” that will be saved, “all Israel” in the last day!” They will judge
But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
on such earthly matters, NOT the focus or mission of Christ
Luke 12:57–59 (ESV)
“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”
Jesus commands us to JUDGE what is right, settling with our accuser the just steps of action rather than quarelling all the way to court… as the Corinthian Cns were doing!! Receiving Paul’s rebuke!!
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
----------
v.2 He gives the standard, the bar of evaluation for a Christian leader (and anyone for that matter)I t
Christians are accused of being judgmental.
forcing our opinions/teachings/convictions on others
“You do you”; “Whatever works for you” - These are the mantras of our culture
But DON’T expect ME to
---
Corinthians for their presumptuous judgment,
their worldly judgment.
---
For some, drinking alcohol is wrong.
If there is a history of alcoholism in your family, this may be you!
If drinking even a sip of wine disturbs your conscience,
DON’T do it.
For others, responsible drinking of alcohol is all fine and great.
You know how to enjoy a drink over a Super-Bowl party
without coming NEAR the point of drunkenness.
If this is you, your conscience DOES not convict you over drinking a beer,
then go for it, but be RESPONSIBLE, and RESPECTFUL to those around you.
Within Christian morality and practice,
There are many issues like these,
MATTERS of conscience.
NOT black and white morality issues,
like the evil of murder and adultery
But more grey issues,
areas where Christians from different backgrounds and contexts think and feel differently.
And the Bible
The Beauty Magazine Allure took a national survey showing that for 64% of people,
the first thing they notice about another person is physical appearance
Within seconds of meeting someone, we are making countless judgments about them — what they look like, sound like.
+++
A) Maintain a Clear Conscience
Paul’s Example…
Notice what Paul says...
1 Cor 4:4a “For I am not aware of anything against myself...”
…elaborate.
Brothers and sisters,
like Paul,
STRIVE ALWAYS to KEEP your conscience CLEAR before God and men.
To maintain a clear conscience, means
To AVOID anything you perceive as sinful,
To CONFESS everything you feel guilt about
Don’t harbor anything in your heart, in your life,
that would bring doubts to you,
and self-condemnation,
were someone to criticize you,
or to condemn you.
+++
) Let Biblical Faithfulness Be Your Standard
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
The commendation disciples of Jesus look forward to hearing,
is not — “Well done! You were SUPER successful, amazingly gifted, impressive in