Introduction

The concept of judging one another is a significant theme in the Bible, addressing the attitudes and actions of individuals within the community of believers. The Scriptures provide guidance on how judgment should be approached, emphasizing discernment, humility, and love. This entry explores the biblical perspective on judging one another, drawing from various passages to understand its implications for Christian living.

Biblical Context

1. Judgment and Discernment

The Bible distinguishes between righteous judgment and hypocritical judgment. In John 7:24, Jesus instructs, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly." This verse highlights the importance of discernment, urging believers to look beyond superficial factors and assess situations with fairness and truth.

2. Hypocrisy in Judgment

Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment in Matthew 7:1-5, where He says, "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." He further illustrates this with the metaphor of the speck and the plank, emphasizing the need for self-examination before criticizing others.

3. Judgment within the Church

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of judgment within the church in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13: "What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'" Here, Paul underscores the responsibility of the church to maintain purity and discipline among its members while leaving the judgment of outsiders to God.

4. Judgment and the Law of Love

Romans 14:10-13 speaks to the principle of love in judgment: "Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat... Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." This passage calls believers to prioritize love and unity over judgment, recognizing that all will ultimately answer to God.

5. Judgment and Mercy

James 2:12-13 highlights the relationship between judgment and mercy: "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This teaching encourages believers to extend mercy, reflecting the grace they have received from God.

Practical Implications

The biblical teachings on judging one another have practical implications for Christian conduct. Believers are called to exercise discernment and accountability within the community while avoiding hypocrisy and self-righteousness. The emphasis on love, mercy, and humility serves as a guiding principle, ensuring that judgment is exercised in a manner that edifies and unites the body of Christ.Matthew 7:1-5
Judge not, that you be not judged.
Topicalbible.org

James 4:11-12
Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 2:1-3
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are that judge: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things.
Topicalbible.org

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Topicalbible.org

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 16:17-18
Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
Topicalbible.org

2 Corinthians 6:17
Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Topicalbible.org

4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... 4793 ("judging together") is only used three times in the NT: in 1 Cor 2:13 ... From
sun and krino; to judge of one thing in connection with another, ie Combine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4793.htm - 7k

1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... Definition: I separate, distinguish, discern one thing from another; I doubt ... to judge")
-- properly, investigate (judge) -- literally, judging "back-and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

4299. prokrima -- a prejudice
... before" and 2919 , "judge") -- properly, pre-judging, (prejudice); undue ... a prejudgment
(prejudice), ie Prepossession -- prefer one before another. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4299.htm - 7k

Whether There are Two Keys or Only One?
... having the knowledge of the law, while another man, on ... And since the act of judging
to which a man ... knowledge, cannot be accepted without sin by one who lacks ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are two keys.htm

Whether {Synesis} (Judging Well According to Common Law) is a ...
... being quick at arguing from one thing to ... besides {euboulia} (deliberating well),
for another virtue, which ... and this is called {synesis} (judging well according ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether synesis judging well according.htm

A Saying of the Same Old Man About not Judging any One.
... A saying of the same old man about not judging any one. The same old man, when he
was teaching us that no one ought to judge another, remarked that there were ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxx a saying of.htm

To Sano Di Maco and all Her Other Sons in Siena
... serpent of presumption under a false aspect, which plays the judge, judging in its ...
like a leaf, but be firm, stable, and constant; loving one another with true ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sano di maco and.htm

The Passages in which the Saviour Declares that There Shall be a ...
... of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve ... totality),
that is to say four and three, multiplied into one another, give twelve. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 the passages in which.htm

Whether a Judge May Condemn a Man who is not Accused?
... judging man, takes the sinner's conscience as his accuser, according to Rom.2:15,
"Their thoughts between themselves accusing, or also defending one another"; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a judge may condemn.htm

Judging, Asking, and Giving
... and unconquered, we are incapable either of judging or of ... affected with such a tender
care for another's eyes has ... It is a delicate operation, and one which a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/judging asking and giving.htm

(That no Bishop Should Presume in Anything Pertaining to Another's ...
... such circumstances, so also is the power of judging or of ... or have power to judge:
for just as another man's wife ... nor be judged or disposed of by any one but by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/iii that no bishop should.htm

I Shall at once Go On, Then, to Exhibit the Peculiarities of the ...
... For with a great gravity is the work of judging carried on among us, as ... are animated
by mutual hatred; how they are ready even to die for one another, for they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxxix i shall at.htm

Of the Method in which Our Address Should be Adapted to Different ...
... while all the rest listen, like persons judging or attesting ... this same instance,
the effort will be one thing when ... and that it will be quite another thing when ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 15 of the method in.htm

What does it mean that we will judge angels? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about criticism? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ethnocentrism? | GotQuestions.org

Judging: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus