1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Such chastisements may be averted; when they come, it is for our salvation: “If however we discerned (or discriminated: dijudicaremus, Vg [1793]) ourselves, we should not be judged”. διακρίνω is taken up from 1 Corinthians 11:29 (see note); it is distinguished from κρίνω, which in turn is contrasted with κατακρίνω (1 Corinthians 11:32). τῷ κόσμῳ in the sequel explains the bearing of διακρίνω here: it expresses a discriminating judgment, by which the Christian rightly appreciates his own status and calling, and realises his distinctive character, even as the διακρίνων of 1 Corinthians 11:29 realises the diff [1794] between the κυριακὸν δεῖπνον and a common δεῖπνον. The alliterative play on κρίνω and its compounds is untranslatable; cf. 1 Corinthians 2:13 ff., 1 Corinthians 4:3 ff. For the form of hypothesis, see 1 Corinthians 2:8; for the pers. of ἑαυτοὺς, 1 Corinthians 6:7. κρινόμενοι δὲ assumes, from 1 Corinthians 11:30, as a fact the consequence hypothetically denied in the last sentence: “But under judgment as we are, we are being chastised by the Lord, in order that we may not with the world be condemned ” (κατακριθῶμεν, judged-against, to our ruin). Thus hope is extracted from a sorrowful situation; cf. Hebrews 12:6 f., Revelation 3:19; νουθεσίας μᾶλλόν ἐστιν ἢ καταδίκης τὸ γινόμενον (Cm [1795]). On παιδεύω, to treat as a boy, see Trench, Syn., § 32. Plato describes παιδεία as δύναμις θεραπευτικὴ τῇ ψυχῇ; cf. the proverb, παθήματα μαθήματα. Ch. 1 Corinthians 5:5 is the extreme case of such “chastening” unto salvation; cf. Psalms 119:67, etc. κρινόμενα (p [1796].), a disciplinary proceeding; κατακριθῶμεν (aor [1797]), a definitive pronouncement; cf. Acts 17:31, etc. P. associates himself, by 1st pers [1798] pl [1799], with the readers, sharing his Churches' troubles (2 Corinthians 11:28 f.).

[1793] Latin Vulgate Translation.

[1794] difference, different, differently.

[1795] John Chrysostom's Homiliœ († 407).

[1796] present tense.

[1797] aorist tense.

[1798] grammatical person, or personal.

[1799] plural.