This verse is linked to verse 3 by the weak connective “for.” Verse 4a explains the previous statement “I do not even judge myself,” and verse 4b is the positive counterpart of this negative statement.

Revised Standard Version gives the literal meaning of the first part of this verse and makes good sense. Good News Bible and other translations use “conscience” because the Greek word for “conscience” (suneidēsis) is related to the verb for “be aware of” (sunoida), just as “conscience” and “consciousness” are related in English. Translators need to remember that in the New Testament, the conscience usually has the negative function of signaling when something is wrong. Later ideas of conscience as an inner guiding light, or even something divine in humans, should not influence the translator. Perhaps a better translation is “I cannot think of anything that I have done wrong.”

But I am not thereby acquitted: acquitted is literally “justified” or “declared innocent.” Paul’s thought is moving from the examination of people in court to the final verdict. In many places such as Rom 4.5, Paul uses this word in a deeper sense to refer to the event of being put right with God. In this verse, however, the context shows clearly that Paul is thinking for the moment of judgment on the human level.

The verb which is translated judges is again anakrinō and probably still refers to the process of examination, but it is now examination being carried out by God. The Lord does not have the in Greek, and this may suggest the meaning “It is the one who is Lord who alone has the right to interrogate me.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .