What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit – 18
What an interesting past two weeks we’ve had!
I’d like to review the very last verse we looked at Sunday since it was not in your notes, 1 Corinthians 4:4. Before we do that, however, let me remind you of the Greek word for conscience: suneidesis, meaning “co-perception” (Strong’s) or “a knowing with” (Vine’s).
1 Corinthians 4:4
For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. (ESV)
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. (KJV)
I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines and judges me. (AMP)
For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this aquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. (NASB)
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. (NIV)
The Greek word for those underlined above is the verb form of suneidesis, which is suneido. So, therefore, this verse fits into the topic we have been discussing.
As much as Paul talked about the conscience…
- maintaining a clear conscience (examples 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Peter 3:16; Acts 24:16; Acts 23:1)
- Spirit bearing witness with the conscience (ex. Romans 9:1)
- our conscience being purified by Christ (ex. Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:22)
- not offending the conscience of others (ex. 1 Corinthians 8:10; 1 Corinthians 10:27-29)
…he states here in this verse that even that does not justify us, aqcuit us, or make us innocent. What can? Only the blood of Jesus can make us innocent. And, truly, clear conscience or otherwise, it is the Lord who judges. It all (we all) rests on Jesus. That is the best news of all! He cannot be defiled, seared, or weak. He IS truth. He IS goodness. He IS righteousness.
Next week we’ll move on to 1 Corinthians, beginning in chapter 12, if you’d like to read ahead.
