What Does 1 Corinthians 4:3 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek uses the same verb for being examined by others and examining yourself, then calls both small.
THE MEANING
Other people’s scrutiny can feel decisive, and your own verdict can feel even more convincing; this verse places both within human limits. Your worth is not fully measured by either public judgment or self-examination.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is that a verdict from other people, or from your own inner voice, must be the final truth about you.
THE ROOT
ἀνακρίνω
anakrinō
GROWS FROM
κρίνω
krinō
To distinguish, decide, or judge.
“judged / judge” in this verse is anakrinō. The KJV renders the same Greek verb as “judged” and “judge”: being examined by others and examining yourself are the same action turned outward and inward. The verse places both forms of human scrutiny within a small measure.
ALSO GROWS
krisis: judgment, decision
κρίσις
It names the judgment that follows an act of deciding, giving weight to the verdict this verse refuses to make ultimate.
kritēs: judge, one who decides
κριτής
It names the person doing the judging and brings the verse’s focus onto who has authority to assess a life.
krima: judgment, verdict
κρίμα
It names the resulting verdict, clarifying that human examination and a final measure are not the same thing.
THE PATTERN
Human scrutiny is partial; a person’s full measure rests with the one who sees and holds them.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.THE THREAD
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.Romans uses κρίνεις (krineis, “you judge”), from the same root κρίνω (krinō, “judge”) that underlies the verb in 1 Corinthians 4:3. It places a person’s standing with their own master, opening the current verse’s claim that human examination has limited reach.
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