1 Corinthians 4:5

Judgment Waiting on God Truth and honesty

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.

⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

⁶ Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.

⁷ For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
ASV: Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
DARBY: So that do not judge anything before [the] time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then shall each have [his] praise from God.
BLB: So then do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord shall have come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the purposes of hearts; and then the praise will come to each from God.

ÅB: Døm derfor ikke noe før tiden, før Herren kommer, han som også skal føre fram for lyset det som har vært skjult i mørket, og åpenbare hjertenes råd; og da skal enhver få sin ros av Gud.
OTB: Derfor, fortsett ikke å dømme før tiden, men vent til Herren kommer, som både vil bringe frem i lyset det som er skjult i mørket og avsløre motivene i menneskenes hjerter; og da vil ros komme til hver person fra Gud.
B1930: Døm derfor ikke noget før tiden, før Herren kommer, han som også skal føre frem for lyset det som har vært skjult i mørket, og åpenbare hjertenes råd; og da skal enhver få sin ros av Gud.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Read in context
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.
Read in context
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Read in context
Romans 2:16
on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Read in context
Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Read in context