JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME

The matter of the Corinthian factions and the carnality they exhibited in their allegiance to men instead of Christ, had led them to sit in judgement upon whichever of their teachers they did not personally support. Paul therefore examines the basis of their judgement so that they may see the error of their ways. To whom did the assembly at Corinth belong? To Christ! To whom did Paul, Apollos and Peter belong? To Christ! Who had appointed these men as His attendants and stewards? Christ Himself. It follows, therefore, that Christ alone has the knowledge and authority to pass any kind of judgement on the activities, teaching and motives of His servants. Paul tells the Corinthians that they are to look upon him and his beloved fellow teachers as attendants of the Lord, thus emphasizing the humility of their position, but also as stewards of divine truth, entrusted with the faithful exposition of the word of God, thus pointing out the dignity of their calling.

In the light of such a dignified ministry, Paul counted it a very small thing, something of no consequence, that the Corinthians should sit in judgement upon him and his teaching. The whole matter of his faithfulness as a steward and, most importantly, his hidden motives and intentions as he served his Master, were things that could only be intelligently and fairly judged by the Lord. Paul himself could not sit as his own judge in relation to his service so, to him, the whole thing was an exercise in futility. In verse 4 he indicates that he knows nothing about himself that would necessitate a judicial trial and subsequent verdict but, even then, his clear conscience cannot justify him. ‘He that judgeth me is the Lord’. Doubtless there were some who judged Daniel for remaining in Babylon when the remnant returned to rebuild the temple and the city, and faithful servants of the Lord will never want for critics of their ministry and motives.

The day will come when, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, every aspect of our thoughts, deeds and motives will be made manifest to us by the Lord Himself. That will be a righteous review and we should serve Him in the light of that coming day.