James 4:11

Friends, don't speak badly of one another. Anyone who criticizes a fellow-believer and condemns them, criticizes and condemns the law. If you condemn the law you're not someone who keeps the law, because you're sitting in judgment of it.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

10Be humble before the Lord and he will lift you up.

12There's only one lawgiver and judge—the one who can either save or destroy you—so who are you to judge your neighbor?

Read all of James 4

Cross References

Psalms 140:11Don't let people who slander others live in our land. May disaster strike down violent people.

Luke 6:37Don't judge, and you won't be judged; don't condemn, and you won't be condemned; forgive, and you'll be forgiven;

Romans 2:13Just listening to what the law says doesn't make you right in God's sight. It's those who do what the law says who are made right.

Romans 7:12However, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.

Romans 14:10So why do you criticize your fellow-believer? Why do you despise your fellow-believer? For all of us will stand before God's throne of judgment.

2 Corinthians 12:20I do worry when I visit that somehow I won't find you as I would want to, and that you won't find me as you would want to! I'm afraid that there will be arguments, jealousy, anger, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Matthew Henry on James 4:2-11

Origin of War and Contention; Against Pride; Submission to God. ( a. d. 61.) 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever… Read the whole commentary →

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