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1 Corinthians 4

1 Cor. 4:4 KJV (With Strong’s)

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4
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
I know
suneido (Greek #4894)
to see completely; used (like its primary) only in two past tenses, respectively meaning to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of
KJV usage: consider, know, be privy, be ware of.
Pronounce: soon-i'-do
Origin: from 4862 and 1492
nothing
oudeis (Greek #3762)
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
KJV usage: any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
Pronounce: oo-dice'
Origin: οὐδεμία (oo-dem-ee'-ah), and neuter οὐδέν (oo-den') from 3761 and 1520
by myself
emautou (Greek #1683)
of myself so likewise the dative case ἐμαυτῷ (em-ow-to'), and accusative case ἐμαυτόν (em-ow-ton')
KJV usage: me, mine own (self), myself.
Pronounce: em-ow-too'
Origin: genitive case compound of 1700 and 846
; yet
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
o am I
dikaioo (Greek #1344)
to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent
KJV usage: free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
Pronounce: dik-ah-yo'-o
Origin: from 1342
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
hereby
toutoi (Greek #5129)
to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)
KJV usage: here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.
Pronounce: too'-to
Origin: dative case singular masculine or neuter of 3778
justified
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
dikaioo (Greek #1344)
to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent
KJV usage: free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
Pronounce: dik-ah-yo'-o
Origin: from 1342
: but
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
he
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
that judgeth
anakrino (Greek #350)
properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine
KJV usage: ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search.
Pronounce: an-ak-ree'-no
Origin: from 303 and 2919
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
.
o
Psa. 143:2• 2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. (Psa. 143:2)

More on:

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Justification

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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For.[Ouden gar emauto sunoida] "For I am not conscious to myself of any guilt" or neglect of duty. Wetstien has shown, from the classics, that this is the proper signification of [suneidein.]I know.
Job 27:6• 6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. (Job 27:6)
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Psa. 7:3‑5• 3O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
 4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
 5Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust. Selah. (Psa. 7:3‑5)
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John 21:17• 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
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2 Cor. 1:12• 12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Cor. 1:12)
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1 John 3:20‑21• 20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (1 John 3:20‑21)
yet.
Job 9:2‑3,20• 2I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
 3If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
 20If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. (Job 9:2‑3,20)
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Job 15:14• 14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? (Job 15:14)
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Job 25:4• 4How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? (Job 25:4)
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Job 40:4• 4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (Job 40:4)
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Psa. 19:12• 12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. (Psa. 19:12)
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Psa. 130:3• 3If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? (Psa. 130:3)
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Psa. 143:2• 2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. (Psa. 143:2)
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Prov. 21:2• 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. (Prov. 21:2)
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Rom. 3:19‑20• 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:19‑20)
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Rom. 4:2• 2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (Rom. 4:2)
but.
1 Cor. 4:5• 5Therefore 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 Cor. 4:5)
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Psa. 26:12• 12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psa. 26:12)
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Psa. 50:6• 6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. (Psa. 50:6)
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2 Cor. 5:10• 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)
• Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 4:4-5; Rom. 2:16; Matt. 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 8:16-17; Luke 12:1-2; JND in article on judgment seat. (“Reasons for This Session: 2 Corinthians 5:9-10” by B. Anstey)
• A good conscience is a good thing; but it does not clear the person who may in this or that be blinded by self-love or other feelings. (“Notes on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5” by W. Kelly)
• He was not conscious of anything wrong, but that did not justify him. He who judged (examined) him was the Lord. And, after all, who was it that gave to the one or to the other that which he could use in service? (“1 Corinthians 4” by J.N. Darby)

J. N. Darby Translation

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4
For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord.

W. Kelly Translation

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4
Nay, I do not examine even myself, for I am conscious to myself of nothinga, yet I am not justified by this, but he that examineth me is the Lord.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The true force is, "For I am conscious to myself of nothing," or "I have nothing on my conscience"; but the whole passage is rendered loosely in our version, which confounds "examine" (anakrinōn), in verses 3, 4, with the simple verb "judge" (krinete) in verse 5.