1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
When Paul wrote this letter to the Church at Corinth, there was division, immaturity and open disobedience to the Gospel in the church. This letter was written to correct those things, as well as many other topics. In Chapter 3, Paul wrote to them about their division based upon allegiances to one servant of God vs another. Specifically, one group was honoring Paul and another group was honoring the teacher, Apollos. Paul is trying to set them straight that the one to honor is the Lord Jesus Christ and he and Apollos are not divided, but simply servants of Christ. It is so easy for a church to honor one teacher over the other. Paul is trying to correct this common behavior.
But, Paul is quite aware that there are some in the church who are not only honoring Apollos over him, there are some who are “judging” him. In chapter 4 he is attempting to correct their judgmental spirit about the work he is doing for Christ. He has just stated that “it is the Lord who judges me.” Paul is not fearful of judgment. He is fearful of man’s false judgement. To prove his point he writes the above. He informs them that the judgment is so surface level and invalid. He wants them to know that he is very much conscious of the fact that God will judge him ... and, not only him, but them! Paul states that we should not judge someone’s ministry or work in the Lord “before the time, before the Lord comes.” Paul is aware that when Christ comes He will judge not only what the Corinthians see, but “bring to light things now hidden in darkness.” When Christ comes He will reveal the “heart” of the things. Paul has no worries about human judgement. He is simply in awe of Christ’s future exposing the hearts of men. We don’t have to worry about man’s judgement. If we are to worry, it is Christ’s judgement. Note how the writer of Hebrews wrote about this same subject:
Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We will all give account to God for the works done on the earth. God will use His Word as the rubric to reveal our works. Paul was not the least bit concerned about the judgment of men. He knew that he would one day be judged by God. He would not be judged by God for his salvation, as he knew there was no more condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). But, he did know that the believer’s works will be judged, some consumed by fire and others coming out as pure gold. Note what he already told these “judgmental” church members in chapter 3:
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (ESV)
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Paul did not fear the judgment of men. He feared the judgement of his risen Savior.
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