1Cor 4:5, 1Th 5:4 | JFB | STEP | 5. Disproving the judicial power claimed by the Romish priesthood in the confessional. Therefore —as the Lord is the sole Decider or Dijudicator. judge —not the same Greek word as in , where the meaning is to approve of or decide on, the merits of one's case. Here all judgments in general are forbidden, which would, on our part, presumptuously forestall God's prerogative of final judgment. Lord —Jesus Christ, whose "ministers" we are ( ), and who is to be the judge ( ). manifest . . . hearts —Our judgments now (as those of the Corinthians respecting their teachers) are necessarily defective; as we only see the outward act, we cannot see the motives of "hearts." "Faithfulness" ( ) will hereby be estimated, and the "Lord" will "justify," or the reverse ( ), according to the state of the heart. then shall every man have praise — ( ). Rather, " his due praise," not exaggerated praise, such as the Corinthians heaped on favorite teachers; "the praise" (so the Greek ) due for acts estimated by the motives. "Then," not before: therefore wait till then ( ).

1 Corinthians 4:5

5. Disproving the judicial power claimed by the Romish priesthood in the confessional.

Therefore—as the Lord is the sole Decider or Dijudicator.

judge—not the same Greek word as in 1Co 4:3, 4, where the meaning is to approve of or decide on, the merits of one's case. Here all judgments in general are forbidden, which would, on our part, presumptuously forestall God's prerogative of final judgment.

Lord—Jesus Christ, whose "ministers" we are (1Co 4:1), and who is to be the judge (Joh 5:22, 27; Ac 10:42; 17:31).

manifest . . . hearts—Our judgments now (as those of the Corinthians respecting their teachers) are necessarily defective; as we only see the outward act, we cannot see the motives of "hearts." "Faithfulness" (1Co 4:2) will hereby be estimated, and the "Lord" will "justify," or the reverse (1Co 4:4), according to the state of the heart.

then shall every man have praise— (1Co 3:8; 1Sa 26:23; Mt 25:21, 23, 28). Rather, "his due praise," not exaggerated praise, such as the Corinthians heaped on favorite teachers; "the praise" (so the Greek) due for acts estimated by the motives. "Then," not before: therefore wait till then (Jas 5:7).

1 Thessalonians 5:4

4. not in darkness—not in darkness of understanding (that is, spiritual ignorance) or of the moral nature (that is, a state of sin), Eph 4:18.

that—Greek, "in order that"; with God results are all purposed.

that day—Greek, "THE day"; the day of the Lord (Heb 10:25, "the day"), in contrast to "darkness."

overtake—unexpectedly (compare Joh 12:35).

as a thief—The two oldest manuscripts read, "as (the daylight overtakes) thieves" (Job 24:17). Old manuscripts and Vulgate read as English Version.