James 2:13

Speak and act like that, because when God judges us, he will not act mercifully toward those who do not act mercifully toward others. But when we are merciful to others, we can rejoice, because our being merciful shows that we are acting like people whom God has mercifully saved from being judged (OR, we can rejoice because God will judge us mercifully).

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

In Context

12Continually speak and act toward others as people should who will be judged {whom God will judge} by the law that frees us from being punished { God punishing us} for our sins.

14My fellow believers, there are some people who say, “I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,” but they do not do good things for other people. ◄Their saying that will certainly not do them any good!/What good will their saying that do for them?► [RHQ] God will certainly not save people like that who say that they believe, but do not do good things! [RHQ]

Read all of James 2

Cross References

Genesis 42:21They said to each other, “It is surely because of what we did to our younger brother that ◄we are being punished/God is punishing us►! We saw that he [SYN] was very distressed when he pleaded with us not to harm him. But we did not pay any attention to him, and that is why we are having this trouble!”

Judges 5:27He collapsed and fell dead at her feet.

Psalms 18:25Yahweh, you are faithful to those who faithfully do what you tell them to do; you always do what is good/right to those who do what you want them to do.

Proverbs 21:13There are people who refuse to listen when poor people cry out for help; but some day they themselves will cry out for help, and no one will hear them.

Jeremiah 9:24Instead, those who want to boast should boast about their knowing me and about understanding that I am Yahweh, that I am kind and just and righteous, that I faithfully love people, and that I am delighted with people who act that way.

Micah 7:18Yahweh, there is no [RHQ] God like you; you forgive the sins [DOU] that were committed by the people who have survived, the people who belong to you. You do not remain angry forever; you are very happy to show us that you faithfully love us.

Matthew Henry on James 2:9-14

The Christian Law. ( a. d. 61.) 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study James 2:13