James 4:12
Verse
Context
Drawing Near to God
11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Sermons
Zac Poonen
Harmon A. Baldwin
Russell DeLong
James Arminius
David ServantSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
There is one lawgiver - Και κριτης, And judge, is added here by AB, about thirty others, with both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, the Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Slavonic, Vulgate, two copies of the Itala, Cyril of Antioch, Euthalius, Theophylact, and Cassiodorus. On this evidence Griesbach has received it into the text. The man who breaks the law, and teaches others so to do, thus in effect set himself up as a lawgiver and judge. But there is only one such lawgiver and judge - God Almighty, who is able to save all those who obey him, and able to destroy all those who trample under feet his testimonies. Who art thou that judgest another? - Who art thou who darest to usurp the office and prerogative of the supreme Judge? But what is that law of which St. James speaks? and who is this lawgiver and judge? Most critics think that the law mentioned here is the same as that which he elsewhere calls the royal law and the law of liberty, thereby meaning the Gospel; and that Christ is the person who is called the lawgiver and judge. This, however, is not clear to me. I believe James means the Jewish law; and by the lawgiver and judge, God Almighty, as acknowledged by the Jewish people. I find, or think I find, from the closest examination of this epistle, but few references to Jesus Christ or his Gospel. His Jewish creed, forms, and maxims, this writer keeps constantly in view; and it is proper he should, considering the persons to whom he wrote. Some of them were, doubtless, Christians; some of them certainly no Christians; and some of them half Christians and half Jews. The two latter descriptions are those most frequently addressed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
There is one lawgiver--The best authorities read in addition, "and judge." Translate, "There is One (alone) who is (at once) Lawgiver and Judge, (namely) He who is able to save and destroy." Implying, God alone is Lawgiver and therefore Judge, since it is He alone who can execute His judgments; our inability in this respect shows our presumption in trying to act as judges, as though we were God. who art thou, &c.--The order in the Greek is emphatic, "But (inserted in oldest manuscripts) thou, who art thou that judgest another?" How rashly arrogant in judging thy fellows, and wresting from God the office which belongs to Him over thee and THEM alike! another--The oldest authorities read, "thy neighbor."
John Gill Bible Commentary
There is one lawgiver,.... The Alexandrian copy, and others, and the Syriac, Ethiopic, and Vulgate Latin versions, add, "and judge". Who is the one only Lord God, Isa 33:22. This is a character that may be applied to God the Father, who gave the law to the people of Israel, both the judicial and ceremonial law, and also the moral law; from his right hand went a fiery law, and to him belongs the giving of it; and also to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus who is King of saints, and lawgiver in his house; who has given out commandments to be observed, and laws of discipline for the right ordering of his house, and kingdom, to be regarded; and particularly the new commandment of love, which is eminently called the law of Christ; and which is most apparently broke, by detraction and speaking evil one of another: now there may be inferior and subordinate lawgivers, as Judah is said to be God's lawgiver, and Moses is said to command the Jews a law; yet there is but one supreme, universal, and perfect lawgiver, who is God; and though there may be many lawgivers in things political, whose legislative power is to be obeyed, both for the Lord's sake, and for conscience sake; yet in things religious, and relating to conscience, God is the only lawgiver, who is to be hearkened unto: who is able to save, and to destroy; this is true of God the Father, who is able to save, and does save by his Son Jesus Christ, and even persons that have broken the law he has given, and are liable to the curse and condemnation of it; and he is able to save them according to that law, in perfect consistence with it, and with his justice and holiness, since Christ, by whom he saves, was made under it, and has fulfilled it; and that Christ is mighty to save, able to save to the uttermost, is certain from the Scripture, and all experience; and God, the lawgiver, is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, for the transgressions of his law; and even Christ the Lamb is also the lion of the tribe of Judah, who will break his enemies in pieces, as a potter's vessel, and punish the contemners of his Gospel with everlasting destruction, from his presence and glory: in a word, God, the lawgiver, is sovereign, and can destroy, or save, whom he pleases; he is able to save the brother that is spoken against, and to destroy him that speaks against him: who art thou that judgest another? another man's servant, as in Rom 14:4 or "thy neighbour", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read; or "the neighbour", as the Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin version; that is, any brother, friend, or neighbour, in the manner as before observed in the preceding verse.
James 4:12
Drawing Near to God
11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
A Non-Judgmental Life
By Zac Poonen1.7K1:00:24JOB 42:7LUK 6:37LUK 15:11LUK 16:19JHN 8:1JAS 4:12
This sermon emphasizes the importance of not judging others but showing compassion and love, highlighting the dangers of legalism and self-righteousness. It encourages treating others with grace and mercy, following the example of Jesus in forgiving and not condemning. The message urges believers to focus on their own attitudes towards others, especially in their homes and local churches, rather than being critical or judgmental.
Mental Infirmities
By Harmon A. Baldwin01SA 16:7ROM 12:41CO 12:18GAL 5:22JAS 4:12Harmon A. Baldwin delves into the uniqueness of individuals in terms of personality, individuality, oddities, and temperamental differences, emphasizing that God has created each person distinctively. He explores how holiness does not eradicate natural dispositions but sanctifies them for God's use, highlighting the importance of embracing one's individuality for effective service. Baldwin also addresses the impact of education, environment, and judgment on holiness, urging believers to shine wherever they are placed and to refrain from passing harsh judgment on others.
Do You Keep a Box Score on Yourself?
By Russell DeLong0PRO 11:1MAT 7:1LUK 6:41ROM 2:1JAS 4:12Russell DeLong preaches about the importance of not judging others and being aware of our own faults before criticizing others. He uses the analogy of keeping a box score in baseball to illustrate how we tend to magnify the faults of others while minimizing our own. DeLong emphasizes the need to focus on our own hits, runs, and errors, and to let God, the Official Scorer, keep track of the box scores. The sermon encourages self-reflection and honesty in evaluating our own actions before passing judgment on others.
The Authority & Certainty of the Sacred Scriptures
By James Arminius0EXO 20:1DEU 6:5MAT 17:5JHN 5:39JHN 6:67ACT 16:16ROM 1:5ROM 8:51CO 1:181CO 13:12CO 5:192CO 10:5GAL 1:11TI 1:15HEB 3:8HEB 6:18JAS 4:122PE 1:19REV 2:17James Arminius delivers a sermon on the authority and certainty of the sacred Scriptures, emphasizing that the Scriptures derive their authority solely from God, who is infallible in truth and power. The authority of Scripture is evident through various inscriptions, introductions, petitions, and divine methods used in the Bible. Arminius refutes the notion that the Church's authority surpasses that of the Scriptures, highlighting that the Scriptures are both divine and canonical, serving as the rule of faith and living. He discusses the persuasion of faith through human testimony, internal suasion of God, and the efficacy of Scripture's doctrine in transforming lives and destroying opposing religions.
Day 125, Romans 14
By David Servant0ROM 14:31CO 8:9GAL 5:13COL 2:161TH 5:221TI 5:21JAS 4:12David Servant preaches on the importance of respecting and loving one another despite differing personal convictions, using the example of believers in Rome and Corinth who had conflicting views on eating meat sacrificed to idols. He emphasizes the need for mutual respect and understanding, rather than judgment and contempt, among believers with varying convictions. Paul's message in Romans 14 highlights that the kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not about non-essential matters like food or drink. The sermon addresses contemporary issues like Sabbath-keeping, alcohol consumption, and holiday celebrations, urging Christians to be fully convinced in their own minds and to prioritize love and respect for one another.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
There is one lawgiver - Και κριτης, And judge, is added here by AB, about thirty others, with both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, the Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Slavonic, Vulgate, two copies of the Itala, Cyril of Antioch, Euthalius, Theophylact, and Cassiodorus. On this evidence Griesbach has received it into the text. The man who breaks the law, and teaches others so to do, thus in effect set himself up as a lawgiver and judge. But there is only one such lawgiver and judge - God Almighty, who is able to save all those who obey him, and able to destroy all those who trample under feet his testimonies. Who art thou that judgest another? - Who art thou who darest to usurp the office and prerogative of the supreme Judge? But what is that law of which St. James speaks? and who is this lawgiver and judge? Most critics think that the law mentioned here is the same as that which he elsewhere calls the royal law and the law of liberty, thereby meaning the Gospel; and that Christ is the person who is called the lawgiver and judge. This, however, is not clear to me. I believe James means the Jewish law; and by the lawgiver and judge, God Almighty, as acknowledged by the Jewish people. I find, or think I find, from the closest examination of this epistle, but few references to Jesus Christ or his Gospel. His Jewish creed, forms, and maxims, this writer keeps constantly in view; and it is proper he should, considering the persons to whom he wrote. Some of them were, doubtless, Christians; some of them certainly no Christians; and some of them half Christians and half Jews. The two latter descriptions are those most frequently addressed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
There is one lawgiver--The best authorities read in addition, "and judge." Translate, "There is One (alone) who is (at once) Lawgiver and Judge, (namely) He who is able to save and destroy." Implying, God alone is Lawgiver and therefore Judge, since it is He alone who can execute His judgments; our inability in this respect shows our presumption in trying to act as judges, as though we were God. who art thou, &c.--The order in the Greek is emphatic, "But (inserted in oldest manuscripts) thou, who art thou that judgest another?" How rashly arrogant in judging thy fellows, and wresting from God the office which belongs to Him over thee and THEM alike! another--The oldest authorities read, "thy neighbor."
John Gill Bible Commentary
There is one lawgiver,.... The Alexandrian copy, and others, and the Syriac, Ethiopic, and Vulgate Latin versions, add, "and judge". Who is the one only Lord God, Isa 33:22. This is a character that may be applied to God the Father, who gave the law to the people of Israel, both the judicial and ceremonial law, and also the moral law; from his right hand went a fiery law, and to him belongs the giving of it; and also to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus who is King of saints, and lawgiver in his house; who has given out commandments to be observed, and laws of discipline for the right ordering of his house, and kingdom, to be regarded; and particularly the new commandment of love, which is eminently called the law of Christ; and which is most apparently broke, by detraction and speaking evil one of another: now there may be inferior and subordinate lawgivers, as Judah is said to be God's lawgiver, and Moses is said to command the Jews a law; yet there is but one supreme, universal, and perfect lawgiver, who is God; and though there may be many lawgivers in things political, whose legislative power is to be obeyed, both for the Lord's sake, and for conscience sake; yet in things religious, and relating to conscience, God is the only lawgiver, who is to be hearkened unto: who is able to save, and to destroy; this is true of God the Father, who is able to save, and does save by his Son Jesus Christ, and even persons that have broken the law he has given, and are liable to the curse and condemnation of it; and he is able to save them according to that law, in perfect consistence with it, and with his justice and holiness, since Christ, by whom he saves, was made under it, and has fulfilled it; and that Christ is mighty to save, able to save to the uttermost, is certain from the Scripture, and all experience; and God, the lawgiver, is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, for the transgressions of his law; and even Christ the Lamb is also the lion of the tribe of Judah, who will break his enemies in pieces, as a potter's vessel, and punish the contemners of his Gospel with everlasting destruction, from his presence and glory: in a word, God, the lawgiver, is sovereign, and can destroy, or save, whom he pleases; he is able to save the brother that is spoken against, and to destroy him that speaks against him: who art thou that judgest another? another man's servant, as in Rom 14:4 or "thy neighbour", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read; or "the neighbour", as the Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin version; that is, any brother, friend, or neighbour, in the manner as before observed in the preceding verse.