James 4:11

Translations

Modern

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.

Traditional

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Literal

Do not speak against one another, brothers. The one speaking against a brother or judging his brother speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Latin

Nolite detrahere alterutrum fratres. Qui detrahit fratri, aut qui judicat fratrem suum, detrahit legi, et judicat legem. Si autem judicas legem, non es factor legis, sed judex.

Original

Greek

English

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.

Notes

James 4:11

do not slander one another: This appeal for peace among Christians means they must not speak badly about one another. Speaking badly about a neighbor is like speaking badly about God's law. This is because the law forbids slander and requires loving your neighbor (2:8; Leviticus 19:16–18; Matthew 7:1–5).

James 4:11–12

These verses discuss the teaching in Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37 (see study note on James 1:22–23).

Theme notes and profiles

James, Brother of Jesus Faith and Good Deeds The Coming of the Lord as Judge

Related verses

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
James 5:9
Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Psalm 140:11
May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
Matthew 7:1–2
“Do not judge, or you will be judged.
Romans 14:10–12
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
2 Timothy 3:3
…unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,
Romans 7:12–13
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Glossary

Letter of James

Topics

Being Wrongly Judged Charitableness: General Scriptures Concerning Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Controlling Anger Criticism Disagreement Do Unto Others Doer of the Word Evil Thoughts Family Problems Holding a Grudge Holding your Peace Insults Labeling Others Living a Christian Life No One is Perfect Passing Judgment Slander: Forbidden Slander: Includes: Judging Charitably Slander: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sowing Discord Speaking: Evil Uncharitableness: General Scriptures Concerning

James 4:11

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