James 5:9
What does James 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:9 means
James forbids grumbling against one another, reminding believers that such murmuring invites judgment, and that the Judge stands at the doors. Suffering often tempts communities to turn inward in irritation, but the nearness of divine scrutiny calls for restraint and charity. The Lord’s approach means we do not police one another with harshness; instead, we live aware that He evaluates our words. This is a sober kindness: keep accounts short, avoid resentful comparisons, and remember whose judgment matters. The verse urges a community shaped by hope and holiness, where trials do not breed division but deepen mutual patience under the gaze of the coming Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Say no hard things against one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged; see, the judge is waiting at the doors.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862murmur not against one another, brethren, that ye may not be condemned; lo, the Judge before the door hath stood.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Grudge not, brethren, one against another, that you may not be judged. Behold the judge standeth before the door.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Complain not one against another, brethren, that ye be not judged. Behold, the judge stands before the door.
Context
After urging patience and heart-establishment (v. 8), James applies it horizontally: avoid internal complaints that fracture fellowship. The reminder that the Judge is near links back to the Lord’s coming and forward to examples of endurance in verses 10–11. Thus, the focus widens from individual perseverance to communal health. The warning also balances the earlier denunciation of oppressors: God will judge both public injustice and private bitterness, calling believers to live as those who expect His arrival.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
- Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
- Galatians 5:26
Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.
- 1 Peter 4:5
who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
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