1 Corinthians 4:5

New King James Version

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
So don't judge anyone now. The time for judging will be when the Lord comes. He will shine light on everything that is now hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of our hearts. Then the praise each person should get will come from God.

Revised Standard Version
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 every man will receive his commendation from God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Therfore iudge no thinge before the tyme vntill the Lorde come which will lighten thinges that are hyd in darcknes and ope the counsels of the hertes. And then shall every man have prayse of God.

Hebrew Names Version
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

International Standard Version
Therefore, stop judging before the proper time, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts. Then each person will receive his praise from God.Matthew 7:1; Romans 2:1,16, 29; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.

New Century Version
So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness, and will make known the secret purposes of people's hearts. Then God will praise each one of them.

Update Bible Version
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord shall come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.

English Standard Version
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.

World English Bible
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and manifest the counsels of the hearts. And then shall every one have praise from God.

Weymouth's New Testament
Therefore form no premature judgements, but wait until the Lord returns. He will both bring to light the secrets of darkness and will openly disclose the motives that have been in people's hearts; and then the praise which each man deserves will come to him from God.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor nyle ye deme bifore the tyme, til that the Lord come, which schal liytne the hyd thingis of derknessis, and schal schewe the counseils of hertis; and thanne preisyng schal be to ech man of God.

English Revised Version
Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Contemporary English Version
So don't judge anyone until the Lord returns. He will show what is hidden in the dark and what is in everyone's heart. Then God will be the one who praises each of us.

Amplified Bible
So do not go on passing judgment before the appointed time, but wait until the Lord comes, for He will both bring to light the [secret] things that are hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

American Standard Version
Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

Bible in Basic English
For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.

Complete Jewish Bible
So don't pronounce judgment prematurely, before the Lord comes; for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness; he will expose the motives of people's hearts; and then each will receive from God whatever praise he deserves.

Darby Translation
So that do not judge anything before [the] time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then shall each have [his] praise from God.

Etheridge Translation
Therefore, do not judge before the time, until the Lord come, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the thoughts of hearts. Then will there be praise to each man from Aloha.

Murdock Translation
5 Therefore pronounce not judgments before the time, [fn] until the Lord come, who will pour light upon the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the thoughts of [fn] hearts: and then will each one have [fn] praise from God.

King James Version (1611)
Therefore iudge nothing before the time, vntill the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkenesse, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall euery man haue prayse of God.

New Living Translation
So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

New Life Bible
Do not be quick to say who is right or wrong. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring into the light the things that are hidden in men's hearts. He will show why men have done these things. Every man will receive from God the thanks he should have.

New Revised Standard
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 commendation from God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore iudge nothing before the time, vntill the Lorde come, who will lighten things that are hid in darkenesse, and make the counsels of the hearts manifest: and then shall euery man haue praise of God.

George Lamsa Translation
Therefore do not judge before the time, until the LORD comes, and brings to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveals the thoughts of the hearts; then shall every man have praise from God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So then, not before the fitting time, be judging anything, - until the Lord shall come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and, then, the praise shall come to each one, from God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore, judge not 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 from God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therefore iudge nothyng before the tyme, vntyll the Lorde come, who wyl lyghten thynges that are hyd in darkenesse, & open the counsels of the heartes, and then shall euery man haue prayse of God.

Good News Translation
So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

Christian Standard Bible®
So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

King James Version
Therefore 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.

Lexham English Bible
Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord should come, who will both enlighten the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of hearts, and then praise will come to each one from God.

Literal Translation
Then do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both shed light on the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of the hearts. And then praise will be to each one from God.

Young's Literal Translation
so, then, nothing before the time judge ye, till the Lord may come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of the darkness, and will manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then the praise shall come to each from God.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Therfore iudge ye nothinge before ye tyme, vntyll the LORDE come, which shal brynge it to lighte that is hyd in darknesse, and ope the councels of ye hertes, and the shal euery one haue prayse of God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
therefore suspend your judgment till the Lord comes, who will bring to light the secrets of darkness, and expose the counsels of mens hearts: and then shall every man have his due reward from God.

THE MESSAGE
So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God.

New English Translation
So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God.

Simplified Cowboy Version
So don't go making judgments about yourselves or others. If there's breath left in either, there's time to make things right. The only judgment that matters will happen when the Lord rides back through the main gate. Like a light in a pitch-dark tack room, he will reveal our darkest secrets and our secret prayers. Then, if there's attaboys to be given, God will do the givin'.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and make manifest the motives of hearts. And then each one's praise will come to him from God.

Contextual Overview

¹ Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. [fn] In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. ⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. ⁶ Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

judge: Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Luke 6:37, Romans 2:1, Romans 2:16, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:10-13, James 4:11

until: 1 Corinthians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Corinthians 15:23, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 24:46, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, James 5:7, 2 Peter 3:4, 2 Peter 3:12, Jude 1:14, Revelation 1:7

who: 1 Corinthians 3:13, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Malachi 3:18, Luke 12:1-3, Romans 2:16, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 20:12

praise: Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23, John 5:44, Romans 2:7, Romans 2:29, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 10:18, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 5:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:25 - Discern Leviticus 13:4 - shut up Numbers 32:23 - be sure your sin Deuteronomy 32:34 - General 1 Samuel 2:30 - I will honour 1 Samuel 15:14 - What meaneth 2 Samuel 12:12 - secretly Job 1:5 - in their hearts Job 10:6 - General Job 12:22 - discovereth Job 20:27 - heaven Job 28:11 - and the thing Job 34:22 - no Psalms 7:8 - The Lord Psalms 33:15 - considereth Psalms 37:6 - he shall Psalms 44:21 - knoweth Psalms 50:21 - set Psalms 64:6 - they accomplish Psalms 90:8 - our Psalms 111:10 - his praise Psalms 139:2 - understandest Proverbs 10:9 - but Proverbs 12:5 - counsels Proverbs 12:8 - commended Proverbs 24:12 - doth not he that Proverbs 31:30 - she Ecclesiastes 3:17 - God Isaiah 26:7 - most Isaiah 29:15 - and their works Jeremiah 16:17 - General Jeremiah 23:25 - heard Ezekiel 16:57 - thy wickedness Ezekiel 24:8 - I have set Ezekiel 38:10 - that at Daniel 2:22 - he knoweth Hosea 2:10 - now Hosea 7:2 - I remember Jonah 1:7 - and the Micah 7:3 - wrap Micah 7:9 - he will Zephaniah 3:5 - bring Matthew 6:4 - reward Matthew 10:26 - for Matthew 13:30 - both Matthew 18:23 - which Matthew 22:11 - when Matthew 22:12 - how Matthew 25:32 - he shall separate Mark 4:22 - General Luke 8:17 - nothing Luke 12:2 - General Luke 16:2 - give Luke 16:15 - God Luke 19:17 - Well John 1:48 - when John 12:43 - the praise of God John 16:11 - judgment John 21:22 - If Acts 17:31 - he hath appointed Acts 24:25 - judgment Romans 2:6 - General 1 Corinthians 2:15 - yet 1 Corinthians 3:8 - and every 1 Corinthians 3:14 - General 1 Corinthians 4:4 - but 2 Corinthians 5:11 - but 2 Corinthians 5:20 - in 2 Corinthians 10:9 - terrify Galatians 6:5 - General Ephesians 5:13 - for Philippians 4:8 - praise 1 Thessalonians 2:19 - in 2 Timothy 1:10 - and hath 2 Timothy 4:1 - who Hebrews 9:27 - but James 5:9 - the Judge Revelation 2:25 - till

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:11
So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

Genesis 31:2
And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.

Genesis 31:5
and said to them, "I see your father's countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.

Numbers 16:15
Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, "Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them."

Job 5:2
For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.

Psalms 20:3
May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice.Selah

Matthew 20:15
Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?'

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Hebrews 11:4
Genesis 4:1-16; 5:18-24; 6:5-8:22">[xr] By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore judge nothing before the time,.... This is said to prevent rash and precipitate judgment, and agrees with that well know Jewish maxim, הוו מתונין בדין, "be slow in judgment" s; not hasty to pass sentence; it is best to leave things to the great day of account, than to be free in censuring one another. There is a time "fixed" for the awful judgment, though of that day and hour knows no man: judge nothing

until the Lord come; who at the fixed time will certainly come to judgment, and that suddenly, at unawares, in an hour no man knows of:

who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness; meaning not so much vices, immoralities, wickedness of all sorts committed in the dark, and which it is a shame to speak of; but those hidden things of dishonesty, those secret arts and private methods which false teachers have made use of to conceal themselves, and carry on their base designs to the injury of truth, the souls of men, and the cause of Christ:

and will make manifest the counsels of the heart; what were the views and intentions, the aims and ends of these men in taking upon them to be preachers of the word; when it will appear that these were not the glory of God, and the good of the souls of men, but filthy lucre, popular applause, or some such mercenary view, and sinister end.

And then shall every man have praise of God. Every regenerated soul; everyone that is a Jew inwardly; everyone that has the circumcision of the Spirit; and particularly every faithful minister, who is more especially designed; to whom it will be said, "well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord". The apostle, in these words, has respect to the false teachers who sought the praise of men, and not the honour which comes from God; and which the true ministers of the word will have another day, however despised and criticised by men now.

s T. Bab Sanhed, fol. 7. 2. & Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore - Inview of the danger of being deceived in your judgment, and the impossibility of certainly knowing the failings of the heart.

Judge nothing - Pass no decided opinion; see the note at Matthew 7:1. The apostle here takes occasion to inculcate on them an important lesson - one of the leading lessons of Christianity - not to pass a harsh opinion on the conduct of any man, since there are so many things that go to make up his character which we cannot know; and so many secret failings and motives which are all concealed from us.

Until the Lord come - The Lord Jesus at the Day of Judgment, when all secrets shall be revealed, and a true judgment shall be passed on all men.

Who both will bring to light; - See Romans 2:10.

The hidden things of darkness - The secret things of the heart which have been hidden as it were in darkness. The subsequent clause shows that this is the sense. He does not refer to the deeds of night, or those things which were performed in the secret places of idolatry, but to the secret designs of the heart; and perhaps means gently to insinuate that there were many things about the character and feelings of his enemies which would not well bear the revelations of that Day.

The counsels of the hearts - The purposes, designs, and intentions of men. All their plans shall be made known on that Day. And it is a most fearful and alarming truth, that no man can conceal his purposes beyond the Day of Judgment.

And then shall every man have praise of God - The word here rendered “praise” ἔπαινος epainos denotes in this place reward, or that which is due to him; the just sentence which ought to be pronounced on his character. It does not mean as our translation would imply, that every man will then receive the divine approbation which will not be true; but that every man shall receive what is due to his character, whether good or evil. So Bloomfield and Bretschneider explain it. Hesychius explains it by judgment (κρισις krisis). The word must be limited in its signification according to the subject or the connection. The passage teaches:

(1) That we should not be guilty of harsh judgment of others.

(2) The reason is, that we cannot know their feelings and motives.

(3) That all secret things will be brought forth in the great Day, and nothing be concealed beyond that time.

(4) That every man shall receive justice there. He shall be treated as he ought to be. The destiny of no one will be decided by the opinions of people; but the doom of all will be fixed by God. How important is it, therefore, that we be prepared for that Day; and how important to cherish such feelings, and form such plans, that they may be developed without involving us in shame and contempt!

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 4:5. Judge nothing before the time — God, the righteous Judge, will determine every thing shortly: it is his province alone to search the heart, and bring to light the hidden things of darkness. If you be so pure and upright in your conduct, if what you have been doing in these divisions, c., be right in his sight, then shall you have praise for the same if otherwise, yourselves are most concerned. Some refer the praise to St. Paul and his companions: Then shall every one of us apostles have praise of God.