Judge Yourself to Not be Judged 1 Corinthians 11:31

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth that “many are weak and sickly among” them, “and many sleep” because they “eat and drink” of “the Lord's supper” “unworthily”. In chapter eleven and verse thirty-one of First Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members what happens, “if we would judge ourselves”, where we read:

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The verse begins, “For if we would judge ourselves, ...”. Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “if we would judge” or “whether Paul and the church members should make a distinction, discriminate, determine and give judgment to” “ourselves” which refers to “Paul and the church members”. Paul put forth the following condition for “judging” themselves.

The verse continues, “... we should not be judged.” Paul added the words, “we should not” which means “Paul and the church members would have no need to” “be judged” or “to be put asunder, called into question or sentenced”. The benefit of “judging” themselves would keep others from bringing down judgment upon them.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how it is better to “judge” or “make a determination” upon ourselves rather than to have someone else do it. The Lord Jesus is our ultimate “judge”, and we should seek his ways in all matters. It is much better to allow the Lord to “search” our hearts to let us know of our “wicked ways” than to rely upon ourselves to do so. Let us be reminded, Paul exhorted the church members to “examine themselves”, and let us be certain to “examine” ourselves as well.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.