1 Corinthians 4:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὥστε
Therefore
G5620
ὥστε
Therefore
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
1 of 33
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
μὴ
nothing
G3361
μὴ
nothing
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
2 of 33
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
3 of 33
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
7 of 33
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
ἔλθῃ
come
G2064
ἔλθῃ
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
9 of 33
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
11 of 33
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὃς
who
G3739
ὃς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φωτίσει
will bring to light
G5461
φωτίσει
will bring to light
Strong's:
G5461
Word #:
14 of 33
to shed rays, i.e., to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκότους
of darkness
G4655
σκότους
of darkness
Strong's:
G4655
Word #:
18 of 33
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φανερώσει
will make manifest
G5319
φανερώσει
will make manifest
Strong's:
G5319
Word #:
20 of 33
to render apparent (literally or figuratively)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βουλὰς
the counsels
G1012
βουλὰς
the counsels
Strong's:
G1012
Word #:
22 of 33
volition, i.e., (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδιῶν·
of the hearts
G2588
καρδιῶν·
of the hearts
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
24 of 33
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
26 of 33
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενήσεται
have
G1096
γενήσεται
have
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
29 of 33
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
31 of 33
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
James 5:7Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.2 Corinthians 5:10For 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.1 Corinthians 3:13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.Hebrews 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.2 Corinthians 10:18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.Romans 2:1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.Ecclesiastes 12:14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.Romans 2:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Historical Context
Eschatological judgment was central to early Christian theology. Paul consistently points to the bema of Christ as the ultimate tribunal where hidden things are revealed (Rom 2:16; 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:10). The Corinthians' premature judgments reflect realized eschatology gone wrong—acting as if the kingdom had fully arrived (v. 8) when actually they still lived between Christ's advents, in the "already/not yet" tension of redemptive history.
Questions for Reflection
- What judgments have you made about others' ministries or motives that God might overturn at Christ's return?
- How does the promise that God will reveal all hidden faithfulness encourage you when your service goes unnoticed or unappreciated?
- In what areas are you living as if final judgment has already occurred, rather than waiting for Christ's authoritative verdict?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come. The imperative me krinete (μὴ κρίνετε, "do not judge") prohibits premature evaluation. Pro kairou (πρὸ καιροῦ, "before the time") refers to Christ's parousia (return), the appointed moment for final assessment. The command doesn't forbid all discernment (5:12; Matt 7:15-20) but warns against presumptuous verdict-rendering on servants accountable to another Master.
Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. Two future verbs emphasize eschatological certainty: phōtisei (φωτίσει, "will illuminate") exposes concealed deeds; phanerōsei (φανερώσει, "will reveal") unveils secret motives—boulas tōn kardiōn (βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν, "counsels/intentions of hearts"). Only then, when Christ's light penetrates all darkness, will true assessment be possible. And then shall every man have praise of God—epainos (ἔπαινος, "commendation") awaits the faithful, however obscure their service seemed to human observers.