1 Corinthians 11:31

KJV

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1487} we would judge {G1252} ourselves {G1438}, we should {G302} not {G3756} be judged {G2919}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If we would examine ourselves, we would not come under judgment.

Berean Standard Bible

Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.

American Standard Version

But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 11:31 presents a profound principle of spiritual self-governance, asserting that if believers would diligently examine and discern their own spiritual state and conduct, particularly in relation to their participation in sacred ordinances like the Lord's Supper, they would preempt the need for God's corrective judgment. This verse underscores the importance of proactive introspection and repentance as a means of maintaining a right relationship with God and avoiding divine discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy and critical section of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, specifically addressing their profound disunity and disorderly conduct during their communal gatherings, which included the observance of the Lord's Supper. Paul has just rebuked them for their factions and the shameful way they were partaking in the Supper, where some were gluttonous while others went hungry, effectively despising the church of God and shaming the poor among them ([1 Corinthians 11:17-22](/1_corinthians/11-17-22 "Paul Rebukes Disorder in the Church")). He then recounts the institution of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing its sacred nature and the solemn responsibility of those who partake ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "The Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Paul warns that partaking "unworthily" brings judgment upon oneself ([1 Corinthians 11:27-29](/1_corinthians/11-27-29 "Warning Against Unworthy Participation")), even leading to sickness and death among them ([1 Corinthians 11:30](/1_corinthians/11-30 "Consequences of Unworthy Communion")). Verse 31 then offers a practical solution and a path to avoid such severe consequences: self-judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was a diverse community, reflecting the social stratification of the Roman city of Corinth. Wealthier members often hosted church gatherings in their homes, which would have included the "love feasts" (agape meals) that preceded or accompanied the Lord's Supper. The problem in Corinth was that these meals were not egalitarian; the rich were eating their fill while the poor were neglected, creating divisions and shaming those who had little. This behavior directly contradicted the spirit of unity and selfless love that the Lord's Supper was meant to embody. Furthermore, the concept of "judgment" in the ancient world, particularly in a religious context, often carried connotations of divine intervention or consequence for moral failings, making Paul's warning about being "judged" a serious one for a community that had already experienced physical repercussions ([1 Corinthians 11:30](/1_corinthians/11-30 "Consequences of Unworthy Communion")).
* **Key Themes:** The immediate context of [1 Corinthians 11](/1_corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians Chapter 11 - Order in Worship") highlights several critical themes. First, **Reverence for Sacred Ordinances** is paramount; the Lord's Supper is not a common meal but a profound remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, demanding a humble and discerning heart. Second, **Self-Examination and Discernment** emerges as a central personal responsibility. Believers are called to look inward, assess their spiritual state, confess sin, and ensure their attitudes align with Christ's example before participating in worship or sacred rites. This theme extends beyond the Lord's Supper to all areas of Christian life, as seen in Paul's later exhortation to [examine yourselves](/2_corinthians/13-5 "2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine Yourselves") to see if you are in the faith. Third, **Preventative Divine Discipline** is a crucial theological concept here. Paul indicates that active, voluntary self-judgment serves as a preventative measure against God's corrective discipline. If individuals take responsibility for their spiritual health and repent, God does not need to intervene with chastening, which is always intended for restoration rather than condemnation, as discussed in [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for His Children").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **For (Greek, _gár_):** This particle serves to introduce a reason or explanation for the preceding statement. In 1 Corinthians 11:30, Paul states that many are weak, sick, and some have died because they did not discern the body. Verse 31, beginning with "For," then explains *how* they could avoid such judgment: by judging themselves. It links the consequence to the solution.
* **judge (Greek, _diakrínō_):** This verb, used here in the active voice, means "to separate thoroughly," "to distinguish," "to discern," or "to evaluate." It implies a careful, thoughtful process of internal scrutiny, differentiating between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, within oneself. It's an act of self-assessment and spiritual discernment, not merely a superficial glance but a deep, honest evaluation of one's motives, attitudes, and actions.
* **ourselves (Greek, _heautoû_):** This reflexive pronoun emphasizes that the action of judgment is directed inward. It is a personal, individual responsibility. The focus is on self-scrutiny rather than judging others, highlighting the need for personal accountability before God.
* **be judged (Greek, _krínō_):** This verb, used here in the passive voice, means "to decide (mentally or judicially)," "to try," "to condemn," or "to punish." In this context, it refers to God's judgment. For believers, this is typically disciplinary or corrective judgment, intended to bring His children back to righteousness and holiness, rather than eternal condemnation (compare with [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if we would judge ourselves,"**: This clause introduces a conditional statement, offering a pathway to avoid divine discipline. The phrase "judge ourselves" uses the Greek verb _diakrínō_, which implies a thorough and discerning self-examination. It's an active, intentional process of evaluating one's motives, actions, and spiritual state before God. This self-assessment is not about earning salvation but about maintaining a right relationship with God and others, particularly in the context of participating in sacred acts like the Lord's Supper. It suggests a proactive spiritual discipline of introspection and repentance.
* **"we should not be judged."**: This is the consequence of the conditional clause. The verb "be judged" (Greek _krínō_) here refers to the disciplinary judgment of God. Paul's point is that if believers take the initiative to discern and correct their own failings, God's corrective hand will not be necessary. This divine judgment for believers is not for condemnation but for purification and restoration, aimed at bringing them into alignment with His will and preventing them from being condemned with the world ([1 Corinthians 11:32](/1_corinthians/11-32 "1 Corinthians 11:32 - God's Discipline for Believers")).

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. Primarily, it utilizes a **Conditional Statement** ("If... then..."), clearly outlining a cause-and-effect relationship between human action and divine response. This structure highlights the agency and responsibility of the believer. There is also a strong element of **Antithesis** or **Contrast** between "judge ourselves" and "be judged." This juxtaposition emphasizes that voluntary self-judgment serves as a preventative measure against involuntary divine judgment. The verse also functions as a **Proverbial Statement**, offering a concise, memorable truth about spiritual discipline that extends beyond its immediate context to a broader principle of Christian living.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The principle of self-judgment in 1 Corinthians 11:31 is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of personal accountability and divine discipline. It underscores that God, in His love, desires His children to walk in holiness and righteousness. When believers proactively examine their hearts, confess their sins, and repent, they align themselves with God's will and experience His grace. This self-assessment is not a legalistic exercise but a spiritual discipline that fosters humility, dependence on God, and a deeper appreciation for Christ's atoning work. It prevents the need for God to intervene with corrective measures, which, while ultimately redemptive, can be painful. This verse beautifully illustrates the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty in the sanctification process.

* [Psalm 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3-5 "The Blessing of Confession")
* [Lamentations 3:40](/lamentations/3-40 "Let us examine our ways")
* [2 Corinthians 13:5](/2_corinthians/13-5 "Examine Yourselves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 11:31 calls believers to cultivate a lifestyle of intentional self-reflection and spiritual honesty. It's an invitation to regularly pause and assess our inner motives, attitudes, and outward actions against the standard of God's Word, rather than waiting for external circumstances or divine intervention to reveal our shortcomings. This practice of "judging ourselves" involves humbly acknowledging our sins, repenting, and seeking God's forgiveness and strength to change. It's a proactive approach to holiness that fosters spiritual growth, maintains intimacy with God, and safeguards us from the consequences of unaddressed sin. When we take responsibility for our spiritual health, we walk in greater freedom and experience the transformative power of God's grace, rather than His corrective hand. This verse reminds us that true spiritual maturity involves a willingness to confront our own brokenness and allow the Holy Spirit to conform us more closely to the image of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "judging ourselves" practically look like in my daily life, beyond the context of the Lord's Supper?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be neglecting self-examination, and what steps can I take to cultivate this discipline?**
* **How does the understanding of God's judgment as corrective, rather than condemnatory, motivate me to more readily "judge myself"?**
* **What role does the Holy Spirit play in enabling me to truly discern and judge myself according to God's standards?**

### FAQ

**Does "judging ourselves" mean we should constantly feel guilty or condemn ourselves?**

Answer: No, "judging ourselves" as described in 1 Corinthians 11:31 does not mean dwelling in guilt or self-condemnation. The Greek word _diakrínō_ implies a discerning evaluation, a careful self-assessment, rather than a punitive self-condemnation. For believers, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Instead, this self-judgment is a healthy, proactive spiritual discipline aimed at identifying areas where we are out of alignment with God's will, confessing those sins, and repenting. It's about seeking restoration and growth, not wallowing in shame. It's a process of spiritual hygiene that prevents the need for God's corrective discipline, which, while loving, can be painful ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for His Children")). The goal is to walk in freedom and fellowship with God, not to live under a cloud of self-imposed guilt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 11:31 speaks to the believer's responsibility in self-examination, its ultimate fulfillment and power are found in Christ. Our ability to "judge ourselves" effectively is not born of our own strength or moral superiority, but is a grace-empowered response to the perfect self-offering of Jesus. He is the standard by which we judge ourselves, the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Furthermore, our self-judgment, leading to repentance, is only efficacious because of Christ's atoning work on the cross, where He bore the judgment we deserved ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He was Wounded for Our Transgressions")). He became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The discipline Paul speaks of is not a judgment unto condemnation, because Christ has already suffered that ultimate judgment for us. Instead, it is a loving Father's discipline to conform us to the image of His Son ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")), ensuring we are not condemned with the world ([1 Corinthians 11:32](/1_corinthians/11-32 "1 Corinthians 11:32 - God's Discipline for Believers")). Thus, self-judgment is a humble acknowledgment of our need for Christ's ongoing work in us, drawing us closer to Him who is our life and our righteousness ([Colossians 3:4](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - Christ Our Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Psalms 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Corinthians 11:28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Revelation 3:2

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Revelation 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.