James 4:11

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {G2635} not {G3361} evil {G2635} one of another {G240}, brethren {G80}. He that speaketh evil {G2635} of his brother {G80}, and {G2532} judgeth {G2919} his {G846} brother {G80}, speaketh evil {G2635} of the law {G3551}, and {G2532} judgeth {G2919} the law {G3551}: but {G1161} if {G1487} thou judge {G2919} the law {G3551}, thou art {G1488} not {G3756} a doer {G4163} of the law {G3551}, but {G235} a judge {G2923}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Brothers, stop speaking against each other! Whoever speaks against a brother or judges a brother is speaking against Torah and judging Torah. And if you judge Torah, you are not a doer of what Torah says, but a judge.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 4:11 issues a direct and potent command against slandering and judging fellow believers, revealing that such actions are not merely personal offenses but a direct affront to God's divine law. The verse exposes the profound theological implication that when one assumes the role of judge over a brother, they simultaneously elevate themselves above God's law, thereby ceasing to be its obedient doer and instead becoming its presumptuous judge. This passage underscores the critical importance of humility, love, and adherence to God's commands within the Christian community, particularly concerning the use of the tongue.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 4:11 is strategically placed within a broader section of James's epistle (James 4:1-12) that addresses the root causes of conflict and disunity within the Christian community. The preceding verses (James 4:1-10) vividly describe the destructive nature of worldly desires, covetousness, and pride as the source of "wars and fightings" among believers. James calls for repentance, humility, and submission to God, contrasting worldly wisdom with divine wisdom. Following this call to draw near to God and humble oneself, verse 11 directly applies these principles to interpersonal relationships, specifically condemning slander and judgmental attitudes. It serves as a practical outworking of the humility and submission previously exhorted, leading into a further warning against self-exaltation by judging others (James 4:12).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian communities, like any human group, faced internal tensions, rivalries, and struggles with worldly influences. James's letter is often seen as a pastoral exhortation to Jewish Christians dispersed among the nations, who were grappling with the practical implications of their faith in a diverse and often hostile world. The cultural context of the ancient world, like today, often involved gossip, public shaming, and the formation of factions. James's strong prohibitions against "speaking evil" and "judging" were counter-cultural, calling believers to a higher standard of conduct rooted in divine love and unity, distinct from the prevailing social norms that might encourage such behaviors. The concept of "the law" would have been deeply ingrained in the Jewish Christian mindset, referring primarily to the Mosaic Law, but understood by James as fulfilled and summarized in the "royal law" of love (as seen in [James 2:8](/james/2-8 "James 2:8 - The Royal Law")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in James's epistle. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of the **power of the tongue**, a dominant concern in the letter, especially in [James 3](/james/3 "James 3 - Taming the Tongue"), where James vividly describes the tongue's capacity for both blessing and cursing. Here, evil-speaking and judging are presented as destructive uses of the tongue that undermine Christian fellowship. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **obedience to God's law**, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated by being a "doer of the word, and not a hearer only" ([James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word")). To judge a brother is to violate the law of love, thereby setting oneself above the very law one claims to follow. Thirdly, the verse touches upon **humility versus pride**, a recurring motif in James 4. Judging others is an act of pride, usurping God's exclusive prerogative as the ultimate Judge and Lawgiver, a concept explicitly stated in [James 4:12](/james/4-12 "James 4:12 - God is the Only Judge").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak evil (Greek, _katalaléō_):** From Strong's G2635, this verb means "to be a traducer, i.e. to slander." It denotes more than simple criticism; it implies malicious gossip, backbiting, or defaming another person. The act of "speaking evil" carries the connotation of ill-will and often involves spreading damaging information, whether true or false, with the intent to undermine or discredit. It is a direct assault on a person's reputation and character.
* **Judgeth (Greek, _krínō_):** From Strong's G2919, this verb means "to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish." In the context of James 4:11, especially when paired with "speak evil," it signifies passing a critical, condemnatory verdict on a fellow believer, assuming a position of authority that rightfully belongs to God alone. It is not merely observing or discerning, but pronouncing a definitive, often harsh, judgment.
* **Law (Greek, _nómos_):** From Strong's G3551, this noun refers to "law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)." In James, "the law" often encapsulates God's moral and ethical requirements, particularly as summarized in the "royal law" of love for one's neighbor (cf. [James 2:8](/james/2-8 "James 2:8 - The Royal Law")). To "judge the law" means to act as if one is superior to it, or to disregard its commands, especially concerning love and unity within the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak not evil one of another, brethren."**: This is a direct, imperative command, setting the tone for the entire verse. "Brethren" emphasizes the familial bond within the Christian community, highlighting that such destructive speech is particularly egregious when directed at fellow members of God's family. It forbids slander, gossip, and any form of malicious speech that undermines a brother or sister in Christ.
* **"He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother,"**: This clause identifies the specific actions being condemned. It reiterates the initial prohibition, connecting "speaking evil" with "judging." The conjunction "and" indicates that these two actions often go hand-in-hand, where malicious talk leads to or is accompanied by a condemning attitude. The focus remains on the "brother," emphasizing the interpersonal harm.
* **"speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law:"**: This is the profound theological leap. James reveals that an attack on a brother is not merely a personal offense but a direct assault on God's divine law. By slandering or judging a fellow believer, one implicitly or explicitly violates the law of love (e.g., "love your neighbor as yourself") and other commands for unity and mutual respect. In doing so, the one speaking evil effectively "speaks evil of" and "judges" the very law that enjoins such love and respect.
* **"but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge."**: This final clause serves as the climactic conclusion and a stark warning. It presents a clear dichotomy: one cannot simultaneously judge God's law and be its obedient "doer." If a person assumes the role of judging the law (by disregarding its precepts regarding interpersonal conduct), they forfeit their position as a humble follower and instead usurp the role of a "judge"—a position reserved for God alone. This highlights the pride and spiritual rebellion inherent in such behavior.

#### Literary Devices
James 4:11 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its urgent message. The verse utilizes striking **Parallelism** and a form of **Chiasmus** (A-B-B'-A') in its structure: "Speak evil of brother, judge brother" (A-B) is mirrored by "speak evil of law, judge law" (B'-A'). This rhetorical pattern emphasizes the direct correlation between judging a brother and judging God's law. Furthermore, James uses **Personification** by attributing human actions ("speak evil of," "judge") to the abstract concept of "the law." This makes the theological point more vivid and impactful, showing that the law is not a mere set of rules but a living expression of God's will that can be offended. The verse also employs a sharp **Contrast** between being a "doer of the law" and being a "judge." This dichotomy underscores the incompatibility of these two roles for a believer, forcing the reader to choose between humble obedience and presumptuous self-exaltation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 4:11 profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of God's law as an expression of His character and will, particularly the "royal law" of love. When believers engage in slander and judgment, they are not merely violating a social code but actively undermining the very fabric of divine order and love that binds the community of faith. This act of judging a brother is presented as an act of judging the law itself, implying that the one judging believes their own standards or opinions supersede God's commands for love, unity, and non-condemnation. This theological insight elevates the seriousness of interpersonal speech, revealing it as a direct reflection of one's posture toward God's authority and His revealed will. It underscores that humility before God necessarily translates into humility and love towards fellow human beings, especially within the church.

* [Matthew 7:1-2](/matthew/7-1-2 "Matthew 7:1-2 - Do Not Judge")
* [Romans 14:10-13](/romans/14-10-13 "Romans 14:10-13 - Do Not Pass Judgment")
* [1 John 4:20-21](/1_john/4-20-21 "1 John 4:20-21 - Love for God and Brother")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 4:11 serves as a timeless mirror for believers, challenging us to scrutinize not only our words but also the underlying attitudes of our hearts. In a world saturated with criticism, gossip, and the rapid spread of information, this verse calls us to a radical counter-cultural posture. It compels us to ask if our speech truly reflects the love and humility commanded by Christ, or if we are subtly, or overtly, setting ourselves up as judges over others, thereby judging God's own perfect law. Practical application demands a conscious effort to cultivate a spirit of grace and forbearance, recognizing that only God possesses the ultimate right to judge. Our calling is to be "doers" of His law, which fundamentally includes loving our neighbors as ourselves, rather than critiquing or condemning them. This means actively choosing to build up, encourage, and pray for one another, rather than tearing down through slander or harsh judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "speaking evil" or "judging" a brother or sister, perhaps subtly through gossip, criticism, or negative assumptions?**
* **How does my speech towards others reflect my true attitude towards God's law of love? Am I a "doer" or a "judge" of that law?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to guard my tongue and cultivate a more edifying and loving pattern of communication within my community?**

### FAQ

**What does James mean by "the law" in this verse?**

Answer: In James, "the law" often refers to the comprehensive moral and ethical demands of God, not merely the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law. While it certainly includes the Old Testament commandments, James specifically highlights the "royal law" found in [James 2:8](/james/2-8 "James 2:8 - The Royal Law"): "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Therefore, when James says that speaking evil of or judging a brother is judging "the law," he means that such actions violate the foundational principle of love that underpins God's entire moral code. To disregard this command is to act as if one's own judgment is superior to God's revealed will.

**Why is judging a brother considered "judging the law"?**

Answer: James connects these two actions because God's law, particularly the law of love, explicitly commands believers to love, respect, and refrain from harming one another. When someone slanders or judges a brother, they are effectively violating this divine command. By doing so, they implicitly demonstrate a disregard for the law itself, acting as if it does not apply to them or that their own judgment is more valid than God's. In essence, they are setting themselves up as an authority over the law, rather than being humbly submissive to it. This act usurps God's unique role as the ultimate Lawgiver and Judge, as further emphasized in [James 4:12](/james/4-12 "James 4:12 - God is the Only Judge").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 4:11 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus perfectly embodied the "doer of the law," not only fulfilling its every righteous requirement but also demonstrating the law of love in its purest form. He consistently refused to condemn those who were judged by society, instead extending grace and mercy, as seen in His interaction with the woman caught in adultery ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery")). Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, particularly His admonition "Judge not, that ye be not judged" ([Matthew 7:1](/matthew/7-1 "Matthew 7:1 - Do Not Judge")), directly underpins James's warning. Furthermore, Jesus gave a new commandment: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - The New Commandment")). When believers speak evil of or judge one another, they not only violate God's law but also fail to reflect the very character of Christ, who came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son")). Thus, living out James 4:11 is a call to conform our speech and attitudes to the perfect example of our Savior, who is both the Law-Giver and the ultimate Law-Doer.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 2:1

¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

Romans 2:1

¶ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

James 5:9

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Luke 6:37

¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

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.

Psalms 140:11

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: