1 Corinthians 11:31-32 - Exposition

For if we would judge ourselves, etc. These verses are very unfortunately mistranslated in our Authorized Version. They should be rendered (literally), For if we discerned (or, discriminated ) ourselves, we should not be undergoing judgment (namely, of physical punishment); but, in being judged by the Lord (by these temporal sufferings), we are under training, that we may not be condemned with the world. The meaning is that "if we" (St. Paul here identities himself with the Corinthians) "were in the habit of self discernment—and in this self discrimination is involved a discrimination between spiritual and common things—we should nut be undergoing this sign of God's displeasure; but the fact that his judgments are abroad among us is intended to further our moral education, and to save us from being finally condemned with the world." Discernment ( diakrisis ) , by saving us from eating unworthily ( Psalms 32:5 ; 1 John 1:9 ), would have obviated the necessity for penal judgments ( krima ) , but yet the krima is disciplinary ( paideuometha, we are being trained as children), to save us from final doom ( katakrima ) . Unworthy eating, then, so far from involving necessary or final "damnation," is mercifully visited by God with temporal chastisement, to help in the saving of our souls. "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord" ( Psalms 94:12 ; Hebrews 12:5-12 ).