William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Corinthians 4:4 - 4:4

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Corinthians 4:4 - 4:4


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These words are not to be understood absolutely and universally, but relatively and respectively; not as if the apostle knew no sin in himself, (for he went groaning under a body of sin to his grave,) but with respect to his ministry; his conscience cleared him of all unfaithfulness and neglect of duty. Though I know nothing of unfaithfulness by myself, yet am I not thereby justified at God's tribunal; for he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Note here, 1. St. Paul's justification of himself: before men he knew nothing by himself; that is, in general, his conscience did not charge him with any negligence or unfaithfulness, in respect of his office; he had not been an unfaithful steward of divine mysteries, nor guilty of any crimes that his adversaries could charge him with.

Note, 2. His disclaiming all justification thereby in the sight of God: Yet am I not thereby justified. His sincerity did comfort him, but could not justify him; the righteousness of the holiest and best of men, is not pleadable before the righteous and holy God for justification.

The reason given why the apostle did not, durst not, plead his own righteousness before God for justification. For he that judgeth me is the Lord; as if he had said, "Were I to appear at man's bar, I doubt not but to come off well enough, for none knows me so well as myself; but I have to do with an heart-searching God, who knows me better than myself; and when God comes to look over my work, he will spy that which the most eagle-eyed person cannot spy.

Therefore there is no standing for me, a creature, before God, in any creature-purity. Angelical perfection is imperfect in his sight: angels, though they have not the least spot of sin in their natures, yet are they chargeable with folly, their nature being potentially sinful, and the heavens themselves are not clean in God's sight.