ON JUDGING OTHERS

I've noticed lately that many Christians, especially those I've met in British Internet chatrooms, are concerned (in many cases, alarmed is more accurate) when other Christians make statements about the morality of one act or another. When a fellow Christian makes statements about people who commit such acts, the concern grows to full outrage. Fingers scream, "Judge not!" The Christians who thus condemn their fellows for passing judgment always believe that they are morally right. Because they are quoting Scripture, and because the words are those of Jesus, I have feared to offer rebuke to the Judge Not partisans. Now I have given this matter some study and prayer; so here, in the interest of both peace and godliness, are my findings.

Matt. 7
1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. (KJV)

In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, the word translated judge is the Greek word krinw (pronounced kree'-no, Greek Dictionary Ref. #2919). It literally means to distinguish or decide. Usage adds the definitions to try judicially, to condemn, to punish. Take a moment to substitute each definition at the beginning and end of the verse. Which of the above acts does God command for us all, and which does He reserve for those in authority (Jesus was addressing a common crowd)? Trial and judicial decision are the proper duties of courts, institutions God approves (see Ex. 21:6, 22; Deut. 16:18). Punishment is the duty of authorities in the family (Prov. 13:24; 23:13-14), the government (Rom. 13:3-4), and the church (I Cor. 5:9-13). The Book of Proverbs is all about distinguishing good and evil, wisdom and folly. Condemn comes across as the likeliest meaning in our problem verse.

Is this a one-verse campaign to overthrow the commonly-held meaning of the words of Jesus? No. I have no desire to stand before God, accused of misusing His Word to deceive others. Here are additional verses in which judge (krinw) is used. Each passage contains a parallel clause using another verb.

Luke 6
1. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Here, judge and condemn are used in parallel. Forgive is presented as a contrasting idea. The context makes a good case for a definition of judge that is negative. Judgment is not a judicial act here, but a decision to think less of someone, for whatever reason. This verse, along with John 5:37, is a parallel text to Matt. 7:1.

Rom.14
3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Judge and despise are used in parallel here. Are they synonyms, or at least steps in the same ungodly direction? It would seem so from the context. God warns against either act, while reminding us that He has accepted believers, despite petty doctrinal differences.

Rom. 14
10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

If judge and set at nought are used in parallel, are they similar in meaning? The warning of the impartial justice of Christ indicates that both actions call into question the worth of someone Jesus valued enough to die for.

James 4
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?

Here is a more accurate reading of the beginning of verse 11, based on The Literal Bible: "Do not slander each other, brothers. He who slanders a brother and condemns the brother himself, slanders the Law, and condemns the Law." By slandering one another, we slander the Law. The Law is God's righteous standard for judgment. In slander (speaking what is untrue and hinders another's reputation), we condemn another person without using the Law as reference. When we ignore the Law while doing what only the Law should do (passing sentence on another person), we show contempt for the Law, thus slandering it. The Law condemns sin. If we use the Law to condemn sin, we are using it rightly and wisely. It is not our place to go beyond condemning sin and into personal attacks.

Is it ever legitimate, then, to say that a brother or sister is doing wrong, or that a particular practice is sinful? Yes. As Christians, we must recognize sin, and we must agree with God that sin is wrong and is glaringly out of place in a Christian's life. God's Word is our source of sin's definition.

John 8
15. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16. And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me.

Jesus said that His judgment is the same as that of the Father. That makes His judgment true. If we see others' actions and motives for what they are, and if we compare the works of others with the standard of God's Law, our judgment can be the same as His. This is a legitimate function of the mind of Christ, which believers have (I Cor. 2:16). In fact, correction of both belief and behavior is part of the reason we have the Bible:

II Tim. 3
16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

If we use the Word as our guide, then, is it permitted to call another Christian's behavior wrong? It is. In fact, we are compelled to keep God's reputation and that of His church pure by excluding from fellowship those who habitually defy God's call to righteousness. We are to do this as a last resort, in love, and for the purpose of reconciliation (see II Thess. 3:14-15); but we, as the Body of Christ, are to exclude those whose behavior compels such action.

I Cor. 5
11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one, no, not to eat. 12. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Please note that this command does not extend to those outside the church. The unsaved are rebellious against God by nature. Disobedience of His Law is not unusual among them, and obedience, because they lack His Spirit, is not possible. Until they are born from above, it is not our place to conform them to the rules we, as Christians, live by. An exception certainly exists for those under our authority, but not for our peers who have not yet believed.

Brothers and sisters, distinguish the meaning of every command from God. Decide by God's standards when determining what is right or wrong for you. But do not try, condemn, or punish on your own. Correct your fellow saints in the love of God, in private (remember Instant Message when dealing with saints online),and only when He compels you to do so. Let the outworking of the righteousness of God in His saints be your motive for dealing with their shortcomings.

The Two-Page Papers

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