1 Corinthians 3:20-4:7 KJV
20) And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21) Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22) Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23) And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
1) Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3) 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.
4) For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6) And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7) For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
They were making a big deal over the various people, this one, that one, to which Paul responds, glorying in men is the wrong approach, because all things are yours, you are thinking too small!
And not that only, but you are Christ's, and Christ is God's, so stop this "lateral" approach, making big deal of other people, and in doing so, denouncing others, "I'm NOT of Apollos", "I'm NOT of Paul", like that.
We are each of us servants and stewards, and we are to be faithful, but your judgments mean little to me. I don't even judge myself!
This is the context.
4) For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
So don't judge anything before the time comes, that time when Jesus Himself will judge. He knows. He is our judge. Not ourselves, and not each other.
He's the ONE Who knows to judge rightly.
Paul has been talking about himself and Apollos, but he's really addressing how we are with each other, what do you have that wasn't given to you? Do you think yourself grand because God gave you a gift, as if it were from yourself?
Context is king.
You judge others, lifting one up, putting one down, creating division.
We are all building the church, either with good things, or bad things, and the day is going to separate which is which.
Leave asided judging others, don't judge me, don't judge yourself, Jesus is the True Judge, He's going to do it right.
Much love!
