Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewardo of the mysteries of God.  (2) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  (3) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself.  (4) For I know of nothing against myself, yet i am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.  (5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.  Then each one’s praise will come from God. 

The first letter to the CORINTHIANS was written be the Apostle Paul in response to a leadership crisis there. The Christians in Corinth had developed pride in “their” different messengers of the gospel, disregarding the real gospel and becoming highly secular instead of growing spiritually.

Paul contrasts the way he is viewed by the  Christians at Corinth and how they view themselves and their ministers.  Christian ministers are not masters but they are stewards of the Lord – they have certain authority but are not to be intent on pleasing men but pleasing the Lord who is both master and judge.

Paul pursues the matter of the CORINTHIANS judging him and he does this by pointing out that he, Paul, has limitations to judge even himself.  Human judgment is fallible and the Christians at Corinth are to cease judging.  (And Paul is writing of the judgment of believers, not unbelievers.).  Man’sjudgment is temporal and incomplete but the Lord is the final judge. Only God knows what is really motivating men’s hearts. So Paul is saying men don’t have enough information to judge and they are not wise enough – they base their judgment on outward appearances.