Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:31

What does 1 Corinthians 11:31 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:31 means

Paul offers hope: if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. Honest self-examination and repentance avert God’s heavier discipline. The right response to the warning is not despair but sobriety that leads to correction. The Lord invites His people to align themselves with the truth before He must intervene more forcefully. This keeps the Supper a means of grace. Self-judgment is not morbid introspection, but a faith-filled reckoning with our sin and with Christ’s mercy, leading to restored fellowship with God and one another at the Table.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if we were true judges of ourselves, punishment would not come on us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for if ourselves we were discerning, we would not be being judged,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if we judged ourselves, so were we not judged.

Context

This verse follows the report of divine discipline with a gracious path forward. It bridges to verse 32, which clarifies the nature and purpose of the Lord’s judgment as fatherly chastening to prevent final condemnation. With the theological frame complete, Paul will then give practical directives that show what self-judgment looks like in community: waiting for one another and separating ordinary hunger from the sacred meal (verses 33–34).

v.30For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

v.31This passage

v.32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 1:9

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

  • 1 Corinthians 11:28

    But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

  • Revelation 3:2

    Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.

  • Luke 15:18

    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:

  • Psalms 32:3

    When I kept silence, my bones wasted away Through my groaning all the day long.

  • Revelation 2:5

    Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 11

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 11.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 11:31.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary