Do Not Ye Judge Them That Are Within?

Someone says, “Do not judge lest ye be judged.” Another says, “You cannot judge me. The Bible says not to judge.” yet Apostle Paul says, “Do not ye judge them that are within?” 1 Cor. 5:12.

What is the consistency of the Bible concerning judging? Are we to not judge anything? Are we to judge some things? If we can judge, to what extent are we to judge? When is it appropriate to judge?

In 1 Corinthians chapter 6, another problem has come to Paul’s attention which is causing division within the assembly; lawsuits among brethren.

When a strong disagreement occurs among those of the same assembly, what is the probable outcome? A disgruntled party leaves the assembly and most likely does not return. It could become so great an issue they leave the church altogether. And, those of whom are divided might, and many will, leave the assembly with the disgruntled party. Now the assembly is much less than it should. Also, now the assembly has given the world something to talk openly about that is not good for the Kingdom of God on earth.

How are we to handle these issues?

First let us determine if, and if so, when we are to judge.

We must be knowledgeable of God’s laws and righteousness, and be truthful and righteous to ourselves and before others. We must have gained their respect to have the wisdom to handle most issues. We must not be guilty of that with which we judge others. Thus, this judgment within the assembly is of the type of the disciplinary judgment to which Christians subject the conduct of their fellows, passing censure upon them as the facts require. (1 Cor. 5:12) Therefore, conflicts will occur and wise men–believers–have the authority to censor members with facts proven to be contrary to the will of God.

Let us turn to Romans chapter 1. Let us see what it is that is causing the conflicts among men.

Vs. 18. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Those who do not know the truth but impose and hold their opinion against others are distorting The Truth–false Christians

God’s wrath is placed upon mankind due to ungodliness and because of unrighteous men distorting the truth into unrighteousness; even if sincerely

Unrighteousness is still unrighteousness even if democratically the majority deem it truth and righteous

Let us consider those which we see in assemblies called Christian churches. We know the world acts like this. Vss. 28-32. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Apostle Paul speaks to Corinth concerning their divisions and of those things causing division; many of these iniquities are the root cause.even today; the attitudes and characters of men have not changed.

It is because of overbearing people who do not know all the righteousness of God who bind upon others their opinions; they are ignorant of the truth and do not know they are

The root cause of the contentions is found in Romans 2:1-3.

2 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

The one judging is guilty of the same. How can one guilty judge another righteously?

The accused will say you are a hypocrite. And, they very well may be correct.

The Apostle Paul said those inside the assembly are to judge those inside the assembly. Some men will say only the leaders of the congregation have that right because they were appointed to do so. Let us ask ourselves, who appointed these leaders, man or God? Often men appoint others to lead because they are, in the assembly's opinion, the best they have to offer as leaders; or, it is the only ones who desire to lead. Paul did not say that the leaders are the ones to judge. We do not know who sent a message to Apostle Paul concerning these issues they desired him to address, but it could have been any member; not just a leader. And, Paul says to use the least esteemed of the assembly to sit on the jury, if you will.