Devine Scripture

James 4:12

What does James 4:12 mean?

A plain-English look at James 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 4:12 means

There is only one rightful Lawgiver and Judge—God Himself, the One able to save and to destroy. That truth puts all human judgment in its place. When we presume to sit in judgment over a neighbor, we forget our creaturely status and our need of mercy. James asks, “who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?” to expose the pride behind a condemning spirit. God’s authority is unique and absolute; ours is derivative and limited. Remembering His prerogative restrains our tongues and redirects our energy from condemning others to doing the good His law requires, leaving final judgment in His competent hands.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

There is only one judge and law-giver, even he who has the power of salvation and of destruction; but who are you to be your neighbour's judge?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; thou--who art thou that dost judge the other?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There is one lawgiver and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

One is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou who judgest thy neighbour?

Context

This verse completes James’s prohibition of slanderous judgment begun in verse 11. By grounding the command in God’s singular role as Lawgiver and Judge, James removes any defense for a condemning posture within the church. With the vertical and horizontal dimensions of humility addressed, the chapter now turns (vv. 13–17) to another mark of worldliness: presumptuous planning that ignores life’s uncertainty and God’s sovereign will.

v.11Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

v.12This passage

v.13Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Romans 14:4

    Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.

  • Romans 2:1

    Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.

  • Isaiah 33:22

    For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our king; he will save us.

  • Luke 12:5

    But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

  • Hebrews 7:25

    Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

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