| Who's the Judge |
|
|
The 3 Paragraphs, each start with an appeal to authority: Jesus Christ (2:1) ; God (2:5); scripture (2:8);
15 times James calls his readers “brothers” and 15 times he speaks about judgment – both our own judgment of others (which he warns against) and God’s judgment of us (which he warns about), and the former leads to the latter: if we judge others then God will judge us for it. We are not the judges (of anyone); we are the judged (by God). Why brothers? As a mark of equality and respect (not children or servants) and because James wants and expects mature behaviour from them.
Why all this talk of judgment? It seems that there are disputes within this community and between this community and outsiders. And it seems that some of these have gone as far as the courts. 15 uses of “judg. . .” (judgment, judge, judges, judged)
James 2:4 - have you not (1) discriminated [literally “judged” in the Greek] among yourselves and become (2) judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:6 - But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into (3) court [literally “judgments” in the Greek]?
James 2:12 - Speak and act as those who are going to be (4)judged by the law that gives freedom.
James 2:13 - Because (5)judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over (6) judgment!
James 3:1 - Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be (7) judged more strictly.
James 4:11 - Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or (8) judges him speaks against the law and (9) judges it. When you (10) judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in (11) judgment on it.
James 4:12 - There is only one Lawgiver and (12) Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to (13) judge your neighbor?
James 5:9 - Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be (14) judged. The (15) Judge is standing at the door!
The Greek word for a Judge (4:12) is “crites”; for judges plural (2:4) it is “critai”; for courts or tribunals (2:6) it is “criteria” [literally “judgments” in the Greek -- legal processes rather than a person or a place) Critic, criticize, critical, criteria – sound familiar? All from the Greek word “Judge” whether as a noun (to be a judge) or as a verb “to judge” as an activity.
Our English words critic, criticize, critical, criteria come straight from the Greek of James.
A mini-drama to end:
Two actors: One playing God; one playing himself (i.e. a normal human being). Each take it turn to act, and the other must copy.
1. “God” goes first, then the human imitates, copies, and follows. So God gives e.g. life and love. We are called to follow and do likewise.
2. Then reverse this: us first, then God imitates, copies, and follows what we have done. (i.e. whether we show judgment or mercy will determine what God shows to us). If we want God to be merciful and forgiving then we must first be and do those things. The when we face God the Judge he will treat us as we ourselves have acted. |
Amen |
|
|
James 2 : 1 - 13 |
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! |
|
|
