The Meaning of James 4:12 Explained

James 4:12

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

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

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

ASV: 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?

Discover James 4:12

CONTEXT: What is the Context of James 4:12?

MEANING: What does James 4:12 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in James 4:12 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in James 4:12?

What is the context of James 4:12?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does James 4:12 Mean?

Study Notes

save
.

salvation

The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:

(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.

(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .

(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

James was speaking of judging other people without divine authorization to do so. Obviously God has delegated the responsibility of judging some civil acts to human governments, some church conduct to elders, and the behavior of children to their parents. Likewise Christians who are walking by the Spirit who observe other Christians overtaken by some fault should seek to restore them, not ignore them ( Galatians 6:1).

Criticizing our equals is a common sport, but it is inappropriate for mere mortals. We all are responsible to God ultimately and must leave the judgment of His servants up to Him ( Romans 14:1-13). We need to remember that we are on the same level with those we may wish to judge. We are brothers and neighbors (cf. Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6-7; 2 Kings 5:7).

Context Summary

James 4:11-17 - "if The Lord Will"

When we speak evil of another, we usurp the functions of the only lawgiver and judge. If that other is endeavoring to model his life by the law, to speak evil of him is to question not his action alone, but the law he is trying to observe. Let us turn the light in upon ourselves and be merciless in self-criticism, while merciful to all others. When you see another doing wrong, always ask yourself whether the same evil is not hiding in your own character. Do not speak of men, but to them, when their faults confront you.

We are prone to make plans without reference to God's will. Life is so transient and brief that if we are to make the most of it, we should ask the divine Spirit to choose for and guide us. Our one endeavor must be to discover God's will and do it. If we are not constantly saying, "If the Lord will," the sentiment it expresses should always be uppermost with us. "Thy will be done" in me as in heaven! [source]

Chapter Summary: James 4

¹ We are to strive against covetousness;
⁴ intemperance;
⁵ pride;
¹¹ detraction and rash judgment of others;
¹³ and not to be boastful of our future plans

Greek Commentary for James 4:12

One only [εις]
No “only” in the Greek, but εις heis here excludes all others but God. [source]

The lawgiver [ο νομοτετης]
Old compound (from νομοσ τιτημι nomosνομοτετεω tithēmi), only here in N.T. In Psalm 9:20. Cf. σωσαι nomotheteō in Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 8:6.To save (σωζω sōsai first aorist active infinitive of και απολεσαι sōzō) and to destroy (απολλυμι kai apolesai first aorist active infinitive of συ δε τις ει apollumi to destroy). Cf. the picture of God‘s power in Matthew 10:28, a common idea in the O.T. (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:16; 2 Kings 5:7).But who art thou? Proleptic and emphatic position of τον πλησιον su (thou) in this rhetorical question as in Romans 9:20; Romans 14:4.Thy neighbour (ton plēsion). “The neighbour” as in James 2:8. [source]

To save [σωζω]
Cf. the picture of God‘s power in Matthew 10:28, a common idea in the O.T. (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:16; 2 Kings 5:7). [source]

But who art thou? [συ]
Proleptic and emphatic position of τον πλησιον su (thou) in this rhetorical question as in Romans 9:20; Romans 14:4.Thy neighbour (ton plēsion). “The neighbour” as in James 2:8. [source]

Thy neighbour [ton plēsion)]
“The neighbour” as in James 2:8. [source]

There is one lawgiver [εἶς ἐστὶν ὁ νομοθέτης]
The A. V. fails to note the emphatic position of one. Better, Rev., one only is the lawgiver. Νομοθέτης , lawgiver, only here in New Testament. [source]

But who art thou? [σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ]
According to the Greek order: but thou, who art thou? [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 4:12

2 Timothy 4:8 Judge [κριτής]
Comp. 2 Timothy 4:1. Mostly in Luke and Acts. oP. Only here in Pastorals. Applied to Christ, Acts 10:42; James 5:9; to God, Hebrews 12:28; James 4:12. [source]

Hebrews 8:6 Was established upon better promises [ἐπὶ κρείττοσιν ἐπαγγελίαις νενομοθέτηται]
For established rend. enacted. Νομοθετεῖν toenact a law, only here and Hebrews 7:11. A few times in lxxclass="greek normal"> Νομοθεσία enactingonly Romans 9:4 νομοθέτης lawgiveronly James 4:12. The better covenant was enacted as truly as was the law. See Hebrews 8:10. The new covenant was a new law - the perfect law, the law of liberty, James 1:25. [source]

James 1:21 Putting away [αποτεμενοι]
Second aorist middle participle of αποτιτημι apotithēmi to put off, metaphor of removing clothing as in Romans 13:12; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:25; 1 Peter 2:1.Filthiness (ρυπαριαν ruparian). Late word (Plutarch) from ρυπαρος ruparos dirty (James 2:2), here only in N.T. Surely a dirty garment.Overflowing of wickedness Περισσεια Perisseia is a late word (from περισσος perissos abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with χαρας charas (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with χαριτος charitos (of grace). Κακια Kakia (from κακος kakos evil) can be either general like ρυπαρια ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like “malice.” But any of either sense is a “superfluity.”With meekness (εν πρατητι en praūtēti). In docility. “The contrast is with οργη orgē rather than κακιας kakias ” (Ropes).The implanted word This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]

James 1:21 Overflowing of wickedness [περισσειαν κακιας]
Περισσεια Perisseia is a late word (from περισσος perissos abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with χαρας charas (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with χαριτος charitos (of grace). Κακια Kakia (from κακος kakos evil) can be either general like ρυπαρια ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like “malice.” But any of either sense is a “superfluity.”With meekness (εν πρατητι en praūtēti). In docility. “The contrast is with οργη orgē rather than κακιας kakias ” (Ropes).The implanted word This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]

James 1:21 The implanted word [τον εμπυτον λογον]
This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]

James 1:21 Able to save [δυναμενον σωσαι]
Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]

James 5:9 That ye be not judged [ινα μη κριτητε]
Negative purpose clause with ινα μη hina mē and the first aorist passive subjunctive of κρινω krinō As already indicated (James 2:12.; James 4:12) and repeated in James 5:12. Reminiscence of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1.Standeth before the doors (προ των τυρων εστηκεν pro tōn thurōn hestēken). Perfect active indicative of ιστημι histēmi “is standing now.” Again like the language of Jesus in Matthew 24:33 (επι τυραις epi thurais) and Mark 13:29. Jesus the Judge is pictured as ready to enter for the judgment. [source]

What do the individual words in James 4:12 mean?

One there is - Lawgiver and Judge the [One] being able to save to destroy You however who are - judging the neighbor

εἷς ἐστιν [ὁ] νομοθέτης καὶ κριτής ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι ἀπολέσαι σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων τὸν πλησίον

εἷς	One
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: εἷς Sense: one.
ἐστιν	there is
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
[ὁ]	-
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νομοθέτης	Lawgiver
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: νομοθέτης Sense: a lawgiver.
κριτής	Judge
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: κριτής Sense: one who passes or arrogates to himself, judgment on anything.
ὁ	the [One]
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δυνάμενος	being able
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: δύναμαι Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
σῶσαι	to save
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: ἐκσῴζω Sense: to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction.
ἀπολέσαι	to destroy
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: ἀπόλλυμι Sense: to destroy.
δὲ	however
Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ὁ	-
Parse: Article, Vocative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κρίνων	judging
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Vocative Masculine Singular Root: κρίνω Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
πλησίον	neighbor
Parse: Adverb Root: πλησίον Sense: a neighbour.

What are the major concepts related to James 4:12?

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Similar Scriptures for James 4:12

		Romans 14:4 [9]
		Matthew 10:28 [8]
		Romans 2:1 [8]
		Isaiah 33:22 [5]
		Hebrews 7:25 [3]
		James 5:9 [3]
		Job 38:2 [3]
		Luke 12:5 [3]
		Romans 9:20 [3]
		Romans 14:13 [3]
		1 Samuel 25:10 [1]
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