ABC:1 Corinthians 4

Verse 5
Jim Meritt of Infidels.org claims a contradiction exists here concerning judging.

1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Corinthians 4:5 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.

Word Count
The Bible was not originally authored in English, the KJV translators picked 16th century English words (which by the way is different from today's English) that they thought correctly produced the word's meanings. In some cases, however, that creates confusion, as it does here. There are actually six different Greek words translated 'judge' by the King James Version's New Testament, but for purposes of this alleged contradiction only two of them will be examined here. The following is a table showing the Greek words translated 'judge' in the New Testament by the KJV, what their Strong's reference numbers are, how many times they are translated 'judge', and how many times they are used in the New Testament overall.

Different Words
There are actually TWO Greek words translated "judge" here. Whereas 1 Corinthians 2:15 uses the Greek word anakrino 4:15 uses the word krino; there are actually two different words being translated 'judge' just as today we use the word judge with different meanings. The following is the Interlinear showing the original Greek overlaying the KJV text:

1 Corinthians 2:15 But  he that is spiritual judgeth  all things, yet  he himself is judged of no man.

1 Corinthians 4:5 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.

So what do these two different words translated judge mean? The following are definitions for anakrino, the Greek word seen in 1 Corinthians 4:5:

"350. anakrinw anakrino,  an-ak-ree'-no from 303 and 2919; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine:--ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search. See Greek 303 (ana), Greek 2919 (krino)" -Strong's Exhaustive Concordance with Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries

"Strong's Number: 350	Transliterated Word: Anakrino Word Origin: from (303) and (2919) Definition: examine or judge to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinise, sift, question specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation to interrogate, examine the accused or witnesses to judge of, estimate, determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing King James Word Usage - Total: 16 examine 6, judge 6, ask question 2, search 1, discern 1" -

The following are definitions for the Greek word krino seen in 1 Corinthians 2:15:

"2919. krinw krino,  kree'-no properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think." -Strong's Exhaustive Concordance with Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries

"Strong's Number:  2919	  Transliterated Word: Krino	Definition: 1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose 2) to approve, esteem, to prefer 3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion 4) to determine, resolve, decree 5) to judge 5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong 5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one' s case may be examined and judgment passed upon it 5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure 5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others 6) to rule, govern 6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment 7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants 7a) to dispute 7b) in a forensic sense 7b1) to go to law, have suit at law King James Word Usage - Total: 114 judge 88, determine 7, condemn 5, go to law 2, call in question 2, esteem 2, miscellaneous 8" The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon Anakrino is a rarely used word found just 16 times, but clearly appears to mean scrutinize or examine as seen from its usage in Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9, 12:19, 17:11, 24:11, and 28:18. Christians are frequently said to examine or scrutinize using this word, and no commandment against doing so is given. As seen from 1 Corinthians 10:27 it can be used as "examining (anakrinos) no examination (anakrinos)." For whatever reason the KJV translators who had been translating it examined before 1 Corinthians once in the book of 1 Corinthians translated it as judged instead. The following is the Interlinear for all places where it is found:

Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people : and , behold , I , having examined him before you , have found no fault in  this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him :

Acts 4:9 If  we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by  what means he is made whole ;

Acts 12:19 And  when Herod  had sought for him, and found him not , he examined the keepers , and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea  to Caesarea , and there abode.

Acts 17:11  These were  more noble than those in  Thessalonica , in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily  , whether <ei> those things were so. Acts 24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee <se>: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. Acts 28:18 Who, when they had examined me <me>, would have let me go , because there was no cause of death in <en> me. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But <de> the natural man receiveth not <ou> the things <ho> of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto him : neither <ou> can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:15 But <de> he that is spiritual judgeth  all things, yet <de> he himself is judged of no man. 1 Corinthians 4:3 But <de> with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged  of you, or <e> of man's judgment : yea , I judge not mine own self. 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I know nothing by myself ; yet am I not <ou> hereby <en> justified : but <de> he that judgeth me <me> is the Lord. 1 Corinthians 9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this ,

1 Corinthians 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in <en> the shambles, that eat , asking no question  for conscience sake :

1 Corinthians 10:27 <de> If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go ; whatsoever is set before you, eat , asking no question  for conscience sake. 1 Corinthians 14:24 But <de> if all prophesy, and <de> there come in one that believeth not , or <e> one unlearned , he is convinced of all , he is judged of all :

Whereas anakrinos was a casual term meaning examination or scrutiny, krinos is a legal term referring to judicial judgment and punishment. It is frequently used throughout the New Testament to refer to legal rulings. The following are a few of the verses where it is used:

Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

Matthew 7:2 For <en> with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged : and with <en> what measure ye mete , it shall be measured to you again.

John 3:17 For God sent not <ou> his Son into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not <ou> condemned : but <de> he that believeth not <me> is condemned already, because he hath not <me> believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 7:51 Doth our law judge <me> any man, before it hear  him , and know what he doeth ?

John 18:31 Then said Pilate <Pilatos> unto them, Take ye him , and judge him according to your law. The Jews <Ioudaios> therefore said unto him, It is not <ou> lawful for us to put any man to death :

Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham <Abraam>, and of Isaac <Isaak>, and of Jacob <Iakob>, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus <Iesous>; whom ye delivered up , and denied him in the presence of Pilate <Pilatos>, when he was determined to let him go.

Acts 13:27 For they that dwell at <en> Jerusalem <Hierousalem>, and their rulers, because they knew him not , nor yet the voices of the prophets which <ho> are read every sabbath day , they have fulfilled them in condemning  him.

Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not <me> them, which <ho> from among the Gentiles are turned to God :

Acts 23:3 Then said Paul <Paulos> unto him, God shall smite thee <se>, thou whited wall : for sittest thou <su> to judge me <me> after the law , and commandest me <me> to be smitten contrary to the law ?

Acts 24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple : whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

Acts 25:9 But <de> Festus <Phestos>, willing to do the Jews <Ioudaios> a pleasure, answered Paul <Paulos>, and said , Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem <Hierosoluma>, and there be judged of these things before me ? 10 Then <de> said Paul <Paulos>, I stand at Caesar's <Kaisar> judgment seat, where I <me> ought to be judged : to the Jews <Ioudaios> have I done no wrong , as  thou <su> very well knowest.

Romans 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by <ek> nature, if it fulfil the law , judge thee <se>, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law ?

Romans 3:6 God forbid <me> : for then how shall God judge the world ?

1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another , go to law before the unjust , and not before the saints ?

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which <ho> were in <en> it ; and death and hell delivered up the dead which <ho> were in <en> them : and they were judged every man according to their works.

Summary
In conclusion, the Greek word anakrinos used in 1 Corinthians 2:15 simply means judgment in the sense of scrutinizing or examining. Christians are shown to use this kind of judgment and there is nothing wrong with doing so according to the Bible.

However, the Greek word krinos used in 1 Corinthians 4:5 is a legal term referring to judging, sentencing, or condemning with punishments to (often negatively) affect another person. Christians are repeatedly told not to use this kind of judgment:

Matthew 7:1 Judge not <me>, that ye be not judged. 2 For <en> with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged : and with <en> what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art <ei> inexcusable, O <o> man , whosoever thou art that judgest : for wherein <en> thou judgest another , thou condemnest thyself ; for thou that judgest  doest the same things.

Romans 2:3 And <de> thinkest thou this, O <o> man , that judgest them which do such things , and doest the same , that thou <su> shalt escape the judgment of God ?

Romans 14:3 Let not <me> him that eateth despise him that eateth not <me>; and let not <me> him which eateth not <me> judge him that eateth : for God hath received him. 4 Who art <ei> thou <su> that judgest another man's servant ? to his own master he standeth or <e> falleth. Yea <de>, he shall be holden up : for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more : but judge  this rather, that no man <me> put a stumblingblock or <e> an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing <me> before the time, until <an> 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.

James 4:11 Speak not <me> evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother , speaketh evil of the law , and judgeth  the law : but <de> if <ei> thou judge  the law , thou art <ei> not <ou> a doer of the law , but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who <ho> is able to save and to destroy : who art <ei> thou <su> that judgest another ?

However, Christians are told of the word krino to "judge in yourselves". On rare occasions it is used to refer to a self-judgment or judgment of what is right, rather than another person, and in such cases we are told to judge with it. Whereas Christians are commanded not to judge OTHERS, they are commanded to judge RIGHT AND WRONG, i.e. determine for themselves what is right without condemning others. In essence, Christians are commanded to judge concepts, not people.

Luke 12:57 Yea <de>, and why even of yourselves judge ye not <ou> what is right ?

John 7:24 Judge not <me> according to the appearance, but judge  righteous judgment.

Acts 4:19 But <de> Peter <Petros> and John <Ioannes> answered and said unto them, Whether <ei> it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than <e> unto God , judge ye.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another : <de> another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in <en> his own mind.

1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men ; judge ye what I say.

1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge in <en> yourselves : is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered ? 1 Corinthians 11:31 For if <ei> we would judge ourselves, we should <an> not <ou> be judged.

2 Corinthians 2:1 But <de> I determined this with myself, that I would not <me> come again to you in <en> heaviness.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ <Christos> constraineth us ; because we thus judge, that if <ei> one died for all , then were all dead :

Titus 3:12 When I shall send Artemas <Artemas> unto thee <se>, or <e> Tychicus <Tuchikos>, be diligent to come unto me <me> to Nicopolis <Nikopolis>: for I have determined there to winter.

There also appears to be cases where internal judgment within churches is considered right, even though such judgment outside is wrong. This appears to be because as 1 Corinthians 5:13 shows, God judges those outside the church, but Christians are called to judge themselves, i.e. "them that are within."

1 Corinthians 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but <de> present in spirit , have judged already , as though I were present , concerning him that hath so done this deed , 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without ? do not ye judge them that are within ? 1 Corinthians 5:13 But <de> them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from <ek> among yourselves that wicked person.

1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another , go to law before the unjust , and not before the saints ? 2 Do ye not <ou> know that the saints shall judge the world ? and if <ei> the world shall be judged by <en> you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters ? 3 Know ye not <ou> that we shall judge angels ? how much more <ge> things that pertain to this life ? 1 Corinthians 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

In summary, the confusion is caused in part because several different words are actually being translated as 'judge' from the original Greek text that have different meanings. Even when the same word 'krino' is used, it can be used in different ways and contexts. In reference to judging others it is often said to be wrong for purposes of condemning or punishing, since God is the only Judge. However, the word is also used sometimes to speak of internal judgment or deciding, the way we would say "judge for yourselves whether it's okay to harm others," and such judgment is alright in that context.

There also is a kind of internal church judgment seen from 1 Corinthians 5-6 which is Biblical and necessary that Christianity is not infiltrated with Satan's tares. (Matthew 13:25-40) Although Christians are commanded not to go to courts of law before the unbelievers (1 Corinthians 6:6) they are told to "have no fellowship with" those doing evil (Ephesians 5:7-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:14) and remove them from the church. (1 Corinthians 5:13) Such punishment is not done to condemn or punish those removed but keep the church and its reputation pure, and they are to be restored if turning from their wickedness, while being "admonished as a brother." (Galatians 6:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:15)