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NASB | 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? |
Bible Question: Scripture Gal 6:1 tells us to try to get our brother out of sin and to do this you must judge, but isn't judging wrong and we're not supposed to do this? What about judging someones character? |
Bible Answer: What does the NT mean when it says judge? In the New Testament to judge means: to try, investigate, inquire into, discern, pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence as the facts require], discern the difference between right and wrong, decide grievances, disputes, and quarrels, think over and make up your mind, searchingly examine, pay attention and weigh and discern [what is said], examine, test and evaluate. Do not judge? Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. Matthew 7:1 Amplified New Testament "7:1 Judge not. As the context reveals, this does not prohibit all types of judging (v. 16). There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise with careful discernment (John 7:24). Censorious, hypocritical, self-righteous, or other kinds of unfair judgments are forbidden; but in order to fulfill the commandments that follow, it is necessary to discern dogs and swine (v. 6) from one's own brethren (vv. 3-5)" (1997, Word Publishing). If one insists on one narrow interpretation of the English word judge, one that implies condemnation, then to that person, no, we have no right to judge. However, if one understands the various ways in which the Bible uses the word(s) translated "judge", then, yes, Christians have not only the right, but also the duty, to judge. The Scriptures quoted here demonstrate what "judge" actually means. When taken as a whole and diligently compared one to another, the Scriptures do NOT prohibit all types of judging. Therefore, the idea that we are never to judge is an idea not taught in Scripture. Do not judge? Anyone? Anything? Ever? A careful reading of the NT and a study of the passages in which the English word "judge" appears may surprise you. According to the Scriptures (see below), Christians are to judge: - all things - those who are inside the church - the world - angels - what is said or taught - ourselves So believers are to judge at least six different things or groups of people. [Scriptural examples of Christians judging are presented below. The following Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Words in parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ] are from the text of the Amplified New Testament (ANT).] 1 Co 2:15 (ANT) But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one . . . 1 Co 5: 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge (pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]) those who are inside [the church]? 1 Co 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge (and govern) the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge (try) the smallest matters? 1 Co 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels (and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them])? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Co 6:5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge (to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels]) between his brethren? 1 Co 10: 15 I speak as to wise men; judge (think over and make up your minds) for yourselves [about] what I say. 1 Co 11:31 For if we would judge (searchingly examine) ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we would not be judged. 1 Co 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge (pay attention and weigh and discern what is said). 2 Co 13:5 (ANT) Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves . . . Anyone who, after reading these Scriptures, still makes the blanket statement that we are never supposed to judge others either cannot or will not understand what the word "judge" really means, as it is used in the Bible. (NASB 1 Thessalonians 4:8) So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. |