NOTES for Jam 4:12
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? |
Hide
The apostle James implies by the form itself of the question that man doesn’t only have to, but is not also simply in the state to judge the neighbor. On one hand, to judge the neighbor means appropriating the right belonging only to the Creator. On the other hand, it means trying to make what we cannot.
Do we have the right of our opinion on the acts of another person? Certainly, yes. But then the right to judge the neighbor is obviously not given to us: about this is spoken not only in this verse of James' epistle, but also in some evangelic passages, above all, in the sermon on the Mountain. In what is thus the difference?
Probably, in which status we assign to ourselves furthermore. Our opinion is and remains our opinion, the opinion isn’t qualified for absolute justice. And so, when we judge, we take the position of the bearer of the absolute knowledge about truth and righteousness (it is natural that with such a position we don’t only judge, but condemn!). But only God can have such a position, and it is of this that reminds us the apostle James. It is still advisable to remind here that God is not only the Lawgiver and the Judge, but also perfect love, that is why we can hope in His judgment (Ps. 119:43). The judgments of men are never executed with love, we can only be afraid of them.
Other notes
For Jam 4:7-17
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. |
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. |
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. |
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. |
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. |
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? |
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: |
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. |
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. |
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. |
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. |
Hide
Readings for 27 February 2022
The Bible for beginners
There are no readings on Sunday
Three-year Bible reading plan
There are no readings on Sunday
Five-year Bible reading plan
There are no readings on Sunday
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
