Often, Latter-day Saints are criticised by many Evangelicals who hold to some theology of eternal security. However, there are many texts (e.g., Heb 6:4-6) that exegetically demolish such theologies. 1 Cor 4:4 is another such verse. It reads as follows:
As with many soteriological texts, the NIV fudges things. The term translated as "innocent" is the verb δικαιοω, which means "to justify." The KJV is more accurate in its translation than the NIV in this instance, rendering the verse as, "For I know nothing by myself; yet I am not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." In this verse, the apostle Paul states that he is not infallibly sure that he will be accepted by God on judgement day (see v.5), something that is echoed in his sombre warning in 1 Cor 9:27:
The term "castaway" in the KJV is the Greek αδοκιμος which means a "reprobate"; Paul is warning the Corinthian church that even he could lose his salvation (see an exegesis of 1 Cor 9:27 here). This also poses a problem for many Evangelical theologies as Paul understands justification to be not just a once-off, static event in the life of a Christian, but something that also takes place in the future (in the context of 1 Cor 4:4-5, the eschaton).
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Cor 4:4 NIV)
As with many soteriological texts, the NIV fudges things. The term translated as "innocent" is the verb δικαιοω, which means "to justify." The KJV is more accurate in its translation than the NIV in this instance, rendering the verse as, "For I know nothing by myself; yet I am not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." In this verse, the apostle Paul states that he is not infallibly sure that he will be accepted by God on judgement day (see v.5), something that is echoed in his sombre warning in 1 Cor 9:27:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The term "castaway" in the KJV is the Greek αδοκιμος which means a "reprobate"; Paul is warning the Corinthian church that even he could lose his salvation (see an exegesis of 1 Cor 9:27 here). This also poses a problem for many Evangelical theologies as Paul understands justification to be not just a once-off, static event in the life of a Christian, but something that also takes place in the future (in the context of 1 Cor 4:4-5, the eschaton).
