Misjudgement

You can judge the manner in which a person does something, but not their motive. Joseph’s manner in speaking to his brothers was, “roughly,” which was apparent to all; but his inward motive was to bring them to repentance. After this was accomplished we’re told he “...spake kindly unto them.” If you had judged him too quickly, you would have found to your own embarrassment, you were wrong in your assessment of this good man. 

It is difficult to be misjudged, to be condemned, especially by loved ones and friends, as Paul was; while trying to do ones best. Paul experienced this injustice by the pharisaical Corinthian believers. Interestingly, in his case, those doing the judging were immoral, divisive, and immature. This is definitely one of those times when the pot is calling the kettle black.

But Paul said he had little or no concern for their censorship of him. He considered it a trifle. The reason being, he knew he could not even judge himself without being biased. Thus, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.” Therefore he would leave the judging of his motives to God. It was of little consequence to Paul what estimate even he placed on himself.

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ