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James 4:12

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

James 4:12

Verse 12 of 17

Scripture focus

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

James 4:12 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on James 4:12

Theological / Devotional

One lawgiver. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) adding the words “and judge.” In spiritual matters, only the Lawgiver can be judge. God alone is competent to discern, without possibility of error, the character of men. Consequently, He alone is able to decide a man’s everlasting destiny (see on 1 Cor. 4:5).

Save. See on Acts 4:12.

Destroy. Gr. apollumi (see on John 3:16).

Art thou? James emphasizes the absurdity of one man’s attempting to judge another, in view of the fact that man cannot discern motives. In one way or another all men are violators of the same law, and it is selfish pride that impels one man to depreciate and hurt another by his words.

Another. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “neighbor.”

By SdaBc