Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:3
I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while defending his stewardship of the gospel. He speaks to believers who were using human standards to evaluate his apostolic conduct.
The words — ἐλάχιστόν (elachiston) literally means "the smallest matter," and ὑφ᾽ (huph᾽) marks the agent "by" in a passive construction. These terms frame his dismissal of human evaluation as negligible.
The thread — The tension between human and divine evaluation appears in 1 Corinthians 2:15 and 1 Samuel 16:7. John 7:24 also addresses the limits of human judgment by warning against deciding by outward appearances.
Why it lands — The text records Paul's refusal to rely on self-assessment or human verdicts for his standing. It requires the reader to recognize that final accountability rests with the Lord, not with human courts or personal conscience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James 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.
Cross-references
- John 7:24 Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.