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Is God Judging the World in This Age?

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Is God Judging the World in This Age?

[Posted June 6, 2023]

Hi K____,

Thank you for this question about God judging the world at this time in 1 Corinthians 5:13, because it demonstrates how important it is to know the tense of what is being said.

Here, in brackets, is the tense of the verb ‘judgeth’G2919 ‘krino‘:

1Co 5:13  ButG1161 them that are withoutG1854 GodG2316 judgethG2919 [G5692]. ThereforeG2532 put awayG1808 [G5692] fromG1537 among yourselvesG5216 thatG846 wicked personG4190.

When you click on the number I have emboldened in brackets, G5692, you will get the Greek tense of this verb, ‘krino’, and this is that tense:

On the other hand, let’s look at the Greek tense of ‘krino‘ which is taking place on the house of God at this time in 1 Peter 4:17, which you also reference:

1Pe 4:17  ForG3754 the timeG2540 is come that judgmentG2917 must beginG756 [G5670] atG575 the houseG3624 of GodG2316: andG1161 ifG1487 it firstG4412 begin atG575 usG2257, whatG5101 shall the endG5056 be of them that obey notG544 [G5723] the gospelG2098 of GodG2316?

The tense of the verb ‘judgment’ here is not in the future tense. We are first plainly told “the time is come…”, followed by the verb phrase… “that judgment must begin G756 [5670]”. Here is the tense which the bracketed number ‘5670’ reveals:

G5670
Tense-Aorist See [G5777]
Voice-Middle See [G5785]
Mood-Infinitive See [G5795]

I hope we are all familiar with the fact that the ‘aorist’ tense indicates that a process is at this moment taking place.

Furthermore, the tense of the question asking “what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God” is G5273, which is:

The very clear contrast Peter is making is between those upon whom the judgment of God is presently in the process of taking place, and those who are not obeying the gospel of God. The former is spoken of in the ongoing aorist tense and the latter is in the present tense.

Since the tense of the word Greek word ‘krino‘G5692 in 1 Corinthians 5:13 is the future tense, as indicated by the bracketed number [5776], that verse would be much better translated as:

1Co 5:13  But God will [future tense] judge the ones outside. And you shall put out from yourselves the evil one. (LITV)

As another brother pointed out:  “It’s a matter of timing. Notice that it says abiding. Why is that? because it won’t happen in this age.”

You ask:  “What about John 3:36 ‘God’s wrath ABIDETH on unbelievers, is that word, Abideth in future tense?”

Here is that scripture:

Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The word ‘abideth’ is present tense. God’s wrath is abiding on all unbelievers at this present time.  However, that does not mean they are being judged at this time.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

I hope this helps you to see that God is not judging the world at this time. He will judge the world in Gehenna fire, which typifies the great white throne judgment/ lake of fire/ second death.

Your fellow student of the Lord’s Words,
Mike

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