Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:5

"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." — 1 Corinthians 4:5 (ASV)

The apostle leaps forward to the return of Christ when all Christians will have their works examined at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Because of this, he charges the Corinthians not to judge his faithfulness, for this can be done truthfully only by the Lord when he returns. Therefore, knowing that the Corinthians are already judging him and others, he says to them in effect, “Curb your habit of judging.” “What is hidden in darkness” are the acts and motives concealed in the inner recesses of a person’s mind and heart. In Hebrew poetic style (cf. Psalms 18:10), Paul says the Lord will “expose the motives of men’s hearts” as an explanation of his statement, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness.” Thus, at the second coming of Christ, those who have been faithful in their work for the Lord will receive praise from him (cf. 3:8; also the parables in Mt 25:14–23). As the final judging must be done by God, so one’s final praise will come from him.