Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  (2) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  (3) But with me it is a very small that I should be judged by you or by a human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself.   (4) For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.  (5) 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 one’s praise will come from God.

This first letter to the Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church he founded at Corinth.   In today’s lesson Paul moves to the futility of judgment of teachers by the Corinthians and warns that the question should be:  are the teachers faithful to what they were sent by Christ to teach?  Not, were they eloquent?

Paul writes that a teacher must expect to be misjudged by those who have a different point of view.  A preacher must faithfully deliver what has been made known to him – he needs only the approval of Christ.  Paul shows that he had a just concern for his own reputation but what mattered to him was to please Christ, not men.  Fidelity to duty implies having to answer to someone – Paul is saying he is not to be judged by men but that he is the steward of God’s word and will be judged by Christ.

Paul feels that he is obedient to Christ’s call but maintains in verse 3 and 4,  that even he may be self deceived and that only God can see the inner man – “In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord”.   The Spirit only can search the heart.  So Paul can feel he is a faithful steward of Christ but still awaits the judgment of the Lord who can see “the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart.”

It is not by man’s judgment that we stand or fall.