‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged.’ It is frightening to think how often we break this commandment without noticing it, without being aware of it. In fact, we have grown accustomed to continually passing judgement on ‘everyone and everything’. And it might seem that, if we impose our judgement on no one, perhaps do not even say it aloud, then...
‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged.’ It is frightening to think how often we break this commandment without noticing it, without being aware of it. In fact, we have grown accustomed to continually passing judgement on ‘everyone and everything’. And it might seem that, if we impose our judgement on no one, perhaps do not even say it aloud, what is wrong with that? But no. When the Lord says ‘Do not judge’, He means that such an approach is absolutely unacceptable. Why? The answer lies in the complex, many-dimensional idea of the human person as a microcosm. We know no one in all the unique diversity of their relationships with other people and, above all, with God. Even when we think we know everything about someone, there are particular details we do not know that could turn the whole picture upside down.
From this understanding grows the sense of standing before God as the most unworthy of all people. Without the commandment ‘Do not judge’, this is impossible to understand. After all, it seems obvious that there are far more unworthy people. But this is how we must reason: there is simply something that speaks in their favour that I do not know. I do not even know everything about myself, although I know how little speaks in my defence and how much accuses me.
But we must not judge ourselves either. The commandment says ‘Do not judge’, not ‘Do not judge others’. This is infinitely difficult, because we have become so accustomed to doing it. At times, these judgements seem to be the structures on which our whole life rests. But the time will come when all the supporting structures will be removed.
4
4:8 Indeed then when ye knew not God, ye served them that by nature - That is, in reality. Are no gods - And so were under a far worse bondage than even that ofthe Jews. For they did serve the true God, though in a low, slavish manner.
4:9 But now being known of God - As his beloved children. How turn ye back to the weak and poor elements - Weak, utterly unable to purge your conscience from guilt, orto give that filial confidence in God. Poor - incapable of enriching the soul with such holiness and happiness as ye are heirs to. Ye desire to be again in bondage - Though of another kind; now to these elements, as before to those idols.
4:10 Ye observe days - Jewish sabbaths. And months - New moons. And times - As that of the passover, pentecost, and the feast of tabernacles. And years - Annual solemnities.it does not mean sabbatic years. These were not to be observed out of the land of Canaan.
4:11 The apostle here, dropping the argument, applies to the affections, Gal 4:11-20, and humbles himself to the Galatians, with an inexpressible tenderness.
4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am - Meet me in mutual love. For I am as ye were - I still love you as affectionately as ye once loved me. Why should I not? Ye have not injured me at all - I have received no personal injury from you.
4:13 I preached to you, notwithstanding infirmity of the flesh - That is, notwithstanding bodily weakness, and under great disadvantage from the despicableness of my outward appearance.
4:14 And ye did not slight my temptation - That is, ye did not slight or disdain me for my temptation, my "thorn in the flesh."
4:15 What was then the blessedness ye spake of - On which ye so congratulated one another.
4:17 They - The judaizing teachers who are come among you. Zealously affect you - Express an extraordinary regard for you. But not well - Their zeal is not according to knowledge; neither have they a single eye to your spiritual advantage. Yea, they would exclude you - From me and from the blessings of the gospel. That ye might affect - Love and esteem them.
4:18 In a good thing - In what is really worthy our zeal.True zeal is only fervent love.
4:19 My little children - He speaks as a parent, both with authority, and the most tender sympathy, toward weak and sickly children. Of whom I travail in birth again - As I did before, Gal 4:13, in vehement pain, sorrow, desire, prayer.Till Christ be formed in you - Till there be in you all the mind that was in him.
4:20 I could wish to be present with you now - Particularly in this exigence. And to change - Variously to attemper.My voice - He writes with much softness; but he would speak with more. The voice may more easily be varied according to the occasion than a letter can. For I stand in doubt of you - So that I am at a loss how to speak at this distance.
4:21 Do ye not hear the law - Regard what it says.