1 Corinthians 4:5

The practical conclusion of the statement respecting Christ's servants (see note on ὥστε, 1 Corinthians 3:21): “So then do not before the time be passing any judgment”. τι, the cognate ace. = κρίσιν τινά, as in John 7:24. πρὸ καιροῦ (the fit time, not the set time) signifies prematurely (so Æsch., Eumen., 367), as ἐν καιρῷ seasonably (Luke 12:42). Our Lord gives another reason for not judging, in Matthew 7:1 ff.; this prohibition, like that, points to His tribunal, bidding men hold back their verdicts on each other in deference to His (cf. Romans 14:10). “Until the Lord come:” ἕως ἄν indicates contingency in the time, not the event itself; for this uncertainty, cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Matthew 25:13; Luke 12:39; Acts 1:7, etc. His coming is the ἀποκάλυψις toward which the hope of this Church was directed from the first (1 Corinthians 1:7 : see note); it will reveal with perfect evidence the matters on which the Cor [665] are officiously and ignorantly pronouncing. ὃς καὶ φωτίσει κ. τ. λ.: “who shall also illuminate the hidden things of darkness”. φωτίζω points to the cause, as φανερόω to the result, and ἀποκαλύπτω (1 Corinthians 2:10) to the mode of Divine disclosures. Christ's presence of itself illuminates (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:6, and other parls.); His Parousia is light as well as fire (1 Corinthians 3:13) both instruments of judgment. τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους, “the secrets hidden in the darkness” (res tenebris occultatas, Bz [666]) not necessarily evil things (see Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 4:6), but things impenetrable to present light. Chief amongst these, “the Lord will make manifest (φανερώσει) the counsels of the hearts ”. These God (and with Him Christ, ὁ ἀνακρίνων : 1 Corinthians 4:4) already searches out (Romans 8:27; Psalms 139, etc.); then He will make plain to men, about themselves and each other, what was dark before. The καρδία is the real self, the “hidden,” “inward man” (Ephesians 3:16 f., 1 Peter 3:4, and other parls.), known absolutely to God alone (cor hominis crypta est, Bz [667]); its “counsels” are those self-communings and purposings which determine action and belong to the essence of character. “And then (not before) the (due) praise will come (ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται) to each from God (not from human lips).” ἀπὸ τ. Θεοῦ for it is on God's behalf that Christ will judge; His commendation is alone of value (Romans 2:29; John 5:44). The Church is God's field and temple (1 Corinthians 3:9 ff.); all work wrought in it awaits His approval. ἑκάστῳ recalls the lesson of 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 3:11-13, respecting the discriminating and individual character of Divine rewards. “Praise” ambitious Gr [668] teachers coveted: let them seek it from God. “Praise” the Cor [669] partisans lavished on their admired leaders: this is God's prerogative, let them check their impertinent eulogies. Enough was said in 1 Corinthians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 3:17, of condemned work; P. is thinking here of his true συνεργοί (1 Corinthians 4:1 f.), who with himself labour and hope for approval at the Day of Christ; little need they reck of the criticisms of the hour.

[665] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[666] Beza's Nov. Testamentum: Interpretatio et Annotationes (Cantab., 1642).

[667] Beza's Nov. Testamentum: Interpretatio et Annotationes (Cantab., 1642).

[668] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[669] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.