3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment:
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
3 It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:3
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:1-6
(Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-6)
Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our own judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents.