King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 4:5 Mean?

1 Corinthians 4:5 in the King James Version says “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 Corinthians 4:5 · KJV


Context

3

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. judgment: Gr. day

4

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. know: or, I am not conscious of any fault

5

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.

6

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

7

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? maketh: Gr. distinguisheth thee


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come. The imperative me krinete (μὴ κρίνετε, "do not judge") prohibits premature evaluation. Pro kairou (πρὸ καιροῦ, "before the time") refers to Christ's parousia (return), the appointed moment for final assessment. The command doesn't forbid all discernment (5:12; Matt 7:15-20) but warns against presumptuous verdict-rendering on servants accountable to another Master.

Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. Two future verbs emphasize eschatological certainty: phōtisei (φωτίσει, "will illuminate") exposes concealed deeds; phanerōsei (φανερώσει, "will reveal") unveils secret motives—boulas tōn kardiōn (βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν, "counsels/intentions of hearts"). Only then, when Christ's light penetrates all darkness, will true assessment be possible. And then shall every man have praise of Godepainos (ἔπαινος, "commendation") awaits the faithful, however obscure their service seemed to human observers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Eschatological judgment was central to early Christian theology. Paul consistently points to the bema of Christ as the ultimate tribunal where hidden things are revealed (Rom 2:16; 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:10). The Corinthians' premature judgments reflect realized eschatology gone wrong—acting as if the kingdom had fully arrived (v. 8) when actually they still lived between Christ's advents, in the "already/not yet" tension of redemptive history.

Reflection Questions

  1. What judgments have you made about others' ministries or motives that God might overturn at Christ's return?
  2. How does the promise that God will reveal all hidden faithfulness encourage you when your service goes unnoticed or unappreciated?
  3. In what areas are you living as if final judgment has already occurred, rather than waiting for Christ's authoritative verdict?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
ὥστε1 of 33

Therefore

G5620

so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)

μὴ2 of 33

nothing

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πρὸ3 of 33

before

G4253

"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to

καιροῦ4 of 33

the time

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

τι5 of 33
G5100

some or any person or object

κρίνετε6 of 33

judge

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

ἕως7 of 33

until

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἂν8 of 33
G302

whatsoever

ἔλθῃ9 of 33

come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

10 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος11 of 33

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ὃς12 of 33

who

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ13 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φωτίσει14 of 33

will bring to light

G5461

to shed rays, i.e., to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively)

τὰ15 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κρυπτὰ16 of 33

the hidden things

G2927

concealed, i.e., private

τοῦ17 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σκότους18 of 33

of darkness

G4655

shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)

καὶ19 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φανερώσει20 of 33

will make manifest

G5319

to render apparent (literally or figuratively)

τὰς21 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βουλὰς22 of 33

the counsels

G1012

volition, i.e., (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose

τῶν23 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδιῶν·24 of 33

of the hearts

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

καὶ25 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τότε26 of 33

then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

27 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔπαινος28 of 33

praise

G1868

laudation; concretely, a commendable thing

γενήσεται29 of 33

have

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἑκάστῳ30 of 33

shall every man

G1538

each or every

ἀπὸ31 of 33

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ32 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ33 of 33

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 4:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 4:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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