1 Corinthians 4:3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 4:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Corinthians 4:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3But 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But with me it is a very small thing, etc.] It stood for little or nothing, was of no account with him, what judgment and censures were passed on him by men with regard to his faithfulness in the ministry not even by the Corinthians themselves: that I should be judged of you; not that the apostle declined, or despised the judgment of a church of Christ, rightly disposed, and met together in the fear of God, to try prove, and judge of his ministry, and his fidelity in it; but he made no account of theirs, and slighted it as being under bad influence, the influence of the false teachers, who had insinuated many things among them to the prejudice of the apostle’s character; wherefore he set it…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“it is a very small thing--literally, "it amounts to a very small matter"; not that I despise your judgment, but as compared with God's, it almost comes to nothing. judged . . . of man's judgment--literally, "man's day," contrasted with the day (Co1 3:13) of the Lord (Co1 4:5; Th1 5:4). "The day of man" is here put before us as a person [WAHL]. All days previous to the day of the Lord are man's days. EMESTI translates the thrice recurring Greek for "judged . . . judge . . . judgeth" (Co1 4:4), thus: To me for my part (though capable of being found faithful) it is a very small matter that I should be approved of by man's judgment; yea, I do not even assume the right of judgment and approving…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But with me - In my estimate; in regard to myself. That is, I esteem it a matter of no concern. Since I am responsible as a steward to my master only, it is a matter of small concern what men think of me, provided I have his approbation. Paul was not insensible to the good opinion of people. He did not despise their favor or court limit contempt. But this was not the principal thing which he regarded; and we have here a noble elevation of purpose and of aim, which shows how direct was his design to serve and please the master who had appointed him to his office. That I should be judged - The word rendered “judged” here properly denotes to examine the qualities of any person or thing; and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yea, I judge not myself - My final state is not to be determined by my own judgment. 1 Corinthians 4:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:3-4 Paul’s deepest desire was that he be found faithful before God. Human assessments of him—by himself or others—didn’t matter.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“it is: Co1 2:15; Sa1 16:7; Joh 7:24 judgment: Gr. day, Co1 3:13 1 Corinthians 4:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification