1 COR 4:5 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) So don’t make judgements ahead of time, but wait until the master comes—the one who’ll bring to light what’s hidden in the darkness, and who will expose people’s true motives. At that time, God will praise each person who’s acted faithfully.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Therefore, do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the purposes of the hearts. And then the praise from God will come to each one.

UST So then, you should not finally decide about anything until the Lord comes back to judge everyone and everything. He will make clear what is now hidden, and he will show everyone what each person desires and plans. At that time, God will praise each person who has acted faithfully.

BLB Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord shall have come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the motives of the hearts; and then the praise will come to each from God.

AICNT Therefore, do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts; and then praise will come to each one from God.

OEB Therefore do not pass judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes. He will throw light on what is now dark and obscure, and will reveal the motives in people’s minds; and then everyone will receive due praise from God.

WEBBE 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET 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.

LSV so, then, judge nothing before the time, until the LORD may come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of the darkness, and will reveal the counsels of the hearts, and then the praise will come to each from God.

FBV So don't judge anything before the right time—when the Lord comes. He will bring to light all the darkest secrets that are hidden, and he will reveal people's motives. God will give everyone whatever praise they deserve.

TCNT So then, do not judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes, who will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the heart. At that time each person will receive his praise from God.

T4T So, stop evaluating any of us (exc) before the time when God judges everyone [MTY]! Do not judge us before the Lord comes. He is the one who will reveal the sinful things that people have done secretly. He will even reveal what people have thought. At that time God will praise each person as each one of them deserves.

LEB 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.

BBE 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.

Moff So do not criticize at all; the hour of reckoning has still to come, when the Lord will come to bring dark secrets to the light and to reveal life's inner aims and motives. Then each of us will get his meed of praise from God.

Wymth 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.

ASV 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.

DRA 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.

YLT 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.

Drby 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 [fn]God.

4.5 Elohim

RV 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.

SLT Therefore judge ye nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who also, will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of hearts: and then shall praise be to each from God.

Wbstr 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.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-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.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps 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.
(Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will lighten things that are hid in darkness, and open the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God.)

Gnva Therefore iudge nothing before the time, vntill the Lord 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.
(Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will lighten things that are hid in darkness, and make the counsels of the hearts manifest: and then shall every man have praise of God. )

Cvdl 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.
(Therefore judge ye/you_all nothing before ye/you_all time, until the LORD come, which shall bring it to lighte that is hid in darkness, and open the councels of ye/you_all hearts, and the shall every one have praise of God.)

TNT Therfore iudge no thinge before the tyme vntill the Lorde come which will lighten thinges that are hyd in darcknes and open the counsels of the hertes. And then shall every man have prayse of God.
(Therefore judge no thing before the time until the Lord come which will lighten things that are hid in darkness and open the counsels of the hearts. And then shall every man have praise of God. )

Wycl 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.
(Therefore won’t ye/you_all judge/judgement before the time, till that the Lord come, which shall lightne the hid things of darkness, and shall show the counseils of hearts; and then praising shall be to each man of God.)

Luth Darum richtet nicht vor der Zeit, bis der HErr komme, welcher auch wird ans Licht bringen, was im Finstern verborgen ist, und den Rat der Herzen offenbaren; alsdann wird einem jeglichen von GOtt Lob widerfahren.
(Therefore directed not before/in_front_of the/of_the time/period, until the/of_the LORD come, which also becomes at/to light(n) bring/get, what/which in_the darkness hidden/concealed is, and the advice the/of_the heart(s) reveal; then becomes on anyone from God Lob happen.)

ClVg Itaque nolite ante tempus judicare, quoadusque veniat Dominus: qui et illuminabit abscondita tenebrarum, et manifestabit consilia cordium: et tunc laus erit unicuique a Deo.[fn]
(Itaque don't before time/season to_judge, quoadusque let_him_come Master: who/which and will_illuminate hidden of_darkness, and will_manifest plans heart: and then praise will_be to_each_one from to_God. )

4.5 Quoadusque veniat Dominus. Aliter injuria judici fit: quia judicis injuria est si ante judicium ejus a servo procedat sententia. Illuminabit. Id est aperta faciet abscondita tenebrarum, id est peccatorum. Tunc laus erit unicuique. Bene agenti vel cogitanti; hic autem nescitur quis sit laude dignus.

4.5 Quoadusque let_him_come Master. Aliter injuria yudici fit: because judgements injuria it_is when/but_if before judgement his from server/keeper procedat opinion. Illuminabit. That it_is open will_do hidden of_darkness, that it_is of_sins/sinners. Then praise will_be to_each_one. Well agenti or they_thinki; this/here however doesn't_knowur who/any be praise worthy.

UGNT ὥστε μὴ πρὸ καιροῦ τι κρίνετε, ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος, ὃς καὶ φωτίσει τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους, καὶ φανερώσει τὰς βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν; καὶ τότε ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(hōste maʸ pro kairou ti krinete, heōs an elthaʸ ho Kurios, hos kai fōtisei ta krupta tou skotous, kai fanerōsei tas boulas tōn kardiōn; kai tote ho epainos genaʸsetai hekastōi apo tou Theou.)

SBL-GNT ὥστε μὴ πρὸ καιροῦ τι κρίνετε, ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος, ὃς καὶ φωτίσει τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους καὶ φανερώσει τὰς βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν, καὶ τότε ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ.
(hōste maʸ pro kairou ti krinete, heōs an elthaʸ ho kurios, hos kai fōtisei ta krupta tou skotous kai fanerōsei tas boulas tōn kardiōn, kai tote ho epainos genaʸsetai hekastōi apo tou theou.)

RP-GNT Ὥστε μὴ πρὸ καιροῦ τι κρίνετε, ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος, ὃς καὶ φωτίσει τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους, καὶ φανερώσει τὰς βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν· καὶ τότε ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ.
(Hōste maʸ pro kairou ti krinete, heōs an elthaʸ ho kurios, hos kai fōtisei ta krupta tou skotous, kai fanerōsei tas boulas tōn kardiōn; kai tote ho epainos genaʸsetai hekastōi apo tou theou.)

TC-GNT Ὥστε μὴ πρὸ καιροῦ τι κρίνετε, ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος, ὃς καὶ φωτίσει τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους, καὶ φανερώσει τὰς βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν· καὶ τότε ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(Hōste maʸ pro kairou ti krinete, heōs an elthaʸ ho Kurios, hos kai fōtisei ta krupta tou skotous, kai fanerōsei tas boulas tōn kardiōn; kai tote ho epainos genaʸsetai hekastōi apo tou Theou. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–21: The Corinthians should respect Paul as a servant of Christ

Paul continued to talk about how the Corinthian believers should think about their Christian leaders, especially himself. He said that Christian leaders are servants of Christ and should be judged only by Christ. Some Corinthian believers were saying that they did not have to listen to Paul’s teaching. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to respect and obey him as their spiritual father.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to respect him and Apollos

Paul and Apollos deserved respect as Christ’s servants

Paragraph 4:1–5

Paul explained that he was a worker whom Christ had sent to teach and work for him. Christ alone was the one to decide whether or not Paul had done his work well.

4:5a

Therefore judge nothing

So then, you should not pass/render any such judgment
So you should not decide, “This worker works well, and that worker does not,”
Therefore I command/urge you not to judge/declare whether or not someone has been faithful to the Lord.

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as Therefore here introduces a command that states what Paul wants the Corinthians to stop doing as a result of what he has just told them. Here is another way to translate this:

So (GNT)

judge nothing: The Greek word that the BSB translates as judge here refers to declaring a verdict at the end of a trial. it is a slightly different word from that used in 4:4c. Other ways to translate it include:

pass judgment (GNT)

pronounce judgment (RSV)

4:5b

before the appointed time;

until the appropriate time.
because this/now is not the right time.
It is not yet the proper time to judge/decide such things.

before the appointed time: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as before the appointed time refers to the right or opportune/appropriate time for something. This time is the Lord’s judging day when he returns to earth. See the note on 3:13b. Here is another way to translate this:

before the right time (GNT)

4:5c

wait until the Lord comes.

That time will be/come when the Lord comes/returns.
When the Lord Jesus comes back, he will judge.

wait until the Lord comes: The BSB has supplied the word wait. Paul was not implying that people should pass judgment on others at the time when the Lord comes.

In your translation, make sure that it is clear that until the Lord comes is explaining the meaning of the phrase “the appointed time” in the previous verse part.

4:5d

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness

He will shine light on the things that are hidden/concealed in/by darkness
He will reveal whatever is now in the dark.

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as what is hidden in darkness is literally “the hidden things of darkness.” This is a metaphor. It refers to things that a person has thought or done secretly, things that other people do not know about. Other ways to translate this part of the verse include:

He will bring our deepest secrets to light (NLT)

he will bring into the light of day all that at present is hidden in darkness (JBP)

He will show what is hidden in the dark (CEV)

what is hidden in darkness: This is a passive phrase. It literally refers to things that cannot be seen because of darkness and figuratively refers to what is not known by other people. There are several ways to translate it:

using a passive verb. For example:
what is concealed by/in the dark
using an active verb. For example:
what darkness hides (REB)
remove the metaphor of darkness. For example:
secrets/mysteries of men
all the things people have done that other people do not know about

Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language in this context.

4:5e

and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.

and reveal the thoughts/purposes in people’s hearts/minds.
He will make clear to everyone what everyone thinks/plans.

will expose the motives of men’s hearts: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as will expose the motives of men’s hearts indicates that God will reveal people’s intentions, the reasons why they do things. He will make plain everyone’s inward thoughts and purposes. In your translation, you should refer to the part of the body where people think and plan (for example, the mind). Other ways to translate this include:

He will show…what is in everyone’s hearts. (CEV)

reveal people’s motives (GW)

Paul did not say to whom the Lord would expose or reveal these things, whether to the people themselves or to others. He was probably thinking of people in general, rather than just the people themselves. So if you must make this explicit, you may be able to say:

will make clear to all people what is in everyone’s heart

General Comment on 4:5d-e

Paul said that the Lord will do two things that are closely related (he will “bring to light what is hidden in darkness” and he will “expose the motives of each man’s heart.”) The action in the first clause is described in a figurative and general way. The clause refers to exposing anything that is now hidden. The second clause is more specific. The Lord will expose people’s motives. There are several possible ways of translating these verse parts:

use a conjunction that is broad or general in meaning, like the English “and.” For example:
He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness, and will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. (NCV)
start a new sentence, leaving the relationship between the two sentences implied. For example:
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness. He will reveal the motives of each one’s heart.
indicate that the two clauses are closely related by using only one main (independent) verb. For example:
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, disclosing everyone’s internal/inward motives.
He will show what is hidden in the darkness and what is in everyone’s heart. (CEV)

4:5f

At that time each will receive his praise from God.

And at that time God himself will praise each person as he deserves.
Then God will tell each person how well they have done the work that he gave them to do.

At that time each will receive his praise from God: This verse part emphasizes that it is God who will praise his workers at the proper time. The proper time is when the Lord comes. Other ways to translate this include:

then will be the time for each to receive commendation from God (REB)

In some languages it may be natural to translate this verse part with God as the subject:

At that time God will praise each one.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

πρὸ καιροῦ & ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὥστε μή πρό καιροῦ τὶ κρίνετε ἕως ἄν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος ὅς καί φωτίσει τά κρυπτά τοῦ σκότους καί φανερώσει τάς βουλάς τῶν καρδιῶν καί τότε ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπό τοῦ Θεοῦ)

If the form before the time, until the Lord comes contains redundant information that would be unnatural to state in your language, you could express the idea without the redundant words. Alternate translation: [before the Lord comes] or [until the Lord comes]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / go

ἔλθῃ

˓may˒_come

Here Paul is speaking about how the Lord will “come” back to earth at some point in the future. Use a form in your language that could refer to Jesus’ return to earth. Alternate translation: [returns to the earth]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὃς καὶ φωτίσει τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους

Here Paul speaks as if the Lord will bring a flashlight or torch when he comes, and he will use that torch or flashlight to shine light on things that are currently hidden in the darkness. By speaking in this way, Paul means that the Lord will reveal what no person knows right now. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning of this phrase with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [who will both disclose what people do not know about]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe things that are hidden in darkness. If the hidden things would not be understood to be in darkness in your language, you could express the idea by using a word such “in” or “within.” Alternate translation: [the things hidden in darkness]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους

If your language does not use the abstract noun darkness, you can express the idea by using a word or phrase that describes something that cannot be seen because there is no light, such as “in shadow.” Alternate translation: [the hidden things in shadow] or [the things hidden where no light shines]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὰς βουλὰς τῶν καρδιῶν

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe purposes that come from or are created in the hearts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind that the purposes are located in the heartsby using a word such as “from” or “in.” Alternate translation: [the purposes in the hearts] or [the purposes from the hearts]

Note 7 topic: translate-unknown

τὰς βουλὰς

Here, purposes refers to how humans have specific goals in mind and plan ways of attaining those goals. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express purposes with a word such as “plans” or “intentions.” Alternate translation: [the plans] or [the intentions]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τῶν καρδιῶν

˱of˲_the hearts

In Paul’s culture, hearts are the places where humans think and plan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state clearly the place where humans think in your culture or express the idea of hearts. Alternate translation: [of the minds] or [that humans plan]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

the the praise ˓will_be˒_becoming ˱to˲_each (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὥστε μή πρό καιροῦ τὶ κρίνετε ἕως ἄν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος ὅς καί φωτίσει τά κρυπτά τοῦ σκότους καί φανερώσει τάς βουλάς τῶν καρδιῶν καί τότε ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπό τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul speaks as if praise were something that could come or travel from God to humans. Paul means that God is the source of the praise that each one will receive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning of this sentence by translating it so that God is the one who gives the praise. Alternate translation: [God will give praise to each one]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὁ ἔπαινος γενήσεται ἑκάστῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here Paul might seem to be saying that every person will receive some praise from God. However, Paul does not mean that. Instead, he only gives the example of the person who has been faithful to God, not the example of the person who has not been faithful to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express why Paul uses only one example by clarifying that this example is only about those who are faithful, or you could include the opposite example about those who have been unfaithful. Alternate translation: [the praise from God will come to each faithful one] or [the praise and blame from God will come to each one]

Parallel 1 COR 4:5

Section 4:1–21: The Corinthians should respect Paul as a servant of Christ

Paragraph 4:1–5

4:5a

4:5b

4:5c

4:5d

4:5e

General Comment on 4:5d-e

4:5f

Parallel 1 COR 4:5