4:2-5 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
4:2-5 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
Paul is teaching here that no human evaluation of anyone's faithfulness to their calling in God is of any account. The only one who can commend them is Jesus Himself, which He will do at the Judgement Seat of Christ (CP V5 and 2Cor 3:1-5 with Ro 14:10-12; 1Cor 3:11-15 and 2Cor 5:9-10).
Paul did not consider himself qualified to judge even his own faithfulness. He believed he was blameless but only Jesus could vindicate him (CP 1Cor 4:3-4 with 1Sam 16:7; Pr16:2; 21:2; 24:12 and 2Cor 10:18).
We also learn from this that no matter how sincere men's commendation of our faithfulness may be, Jesus Christ is the only one who can vindicate us. (See also comments on Ro 14:10-12; 1Cor 3:12-15 and 2Ti 1:12, and author's study Coming Judgments of God in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1)).