James 5:9

9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:9 in Other Translations

KJV
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
ESV
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
NLT
9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
MSG
9 Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
CSB
9 Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!

James 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

James 5:9

Grudge not one against another, brethren
On account of any happiness, temporal or spiritual, which another enjoys; do not inwardly repine at it; or secretly sigh and groan in an envious manner at it, though nothing may be said, as the word used signifies; much less complain of, accuse, and condemn one another, or meditate and seek revenge:

lest ye be condemned;
hereafter, at the bar of Christ, by the Judge of the whole earth, who is privy to the secret murmurings and grumblings, and the envious sighs and groans of men; see ( Matthew 7:1 )

behold the judge standeth before the door;
there is another that judgeth, who is the Lord, and he is at hand; he is just at the door; a little while and he will come, and not tarry; which may refer not to Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem, but to his second coming to judgment, which will be quickly; for the Gospel times are the last times; there will be no other age; at the end of this, Christ will come.

James 5:9 In-Context

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Cross References 3

  • 1. James 4:11
  • 2. Psalms 94:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5; James 4:12; 1 Peter 4:5
  • 3. Matthew 24:33
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