James 2:13

13 for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

James 2:13 Meaning and Commentary

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy
Strict justice, and no mercy shown him:

that hath showed no mercy;
to the poor brethren, and distressed members of Christ, but has shown respect of persons to the hurt of the poor, and has despised and oppressed them, instead of relieving and comforting them; so the rich man, that neglected Lazarus at his gates, is refused a drop of water to cool his tongue; and the servant that cruelly insisted on his fellow servant's paying him all he owed, justly incurred the displeasure of his Lord, and was by him delivered to the tormentors; and that servant that beats his fellow servants will be cut asunder, and, have his portion with hypocrites; and such who have seen any of the brethren of Christ hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and in prison, and have showed no regard for them, will hear, "Go, ye cursed, into everlasting fire":

and mercy rejoiceth against judgment;
that is merciful men, who have shown mercy to the poor saints, will not be afraid of the awful judgment, but rather rejoice or glory, as the word signifies, in the view of it, since they will obtain mercy at that day, and hear, Come, ye blessed of my Father ( Matthew 25:34-36 ) so the Ethiopic version renders it, he only shall glory in the day of judgment, who hath showed mercy; the Alexandrian copy reads in the imperative, "let mercy glory" and the Syriac version, "be ye exalted by mercy over judgment".

James 2:13 In-Context

11 For he who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become transgressor of [the] law.
12 So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by [the] law of liberty;
13 for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.
14 What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?
15 Now if a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

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The Darby Translation is in the public domain.