Matthew 7:1

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Judge {G2919} not {G3361}, that {G3363} ye be {G2919} not {G3363} judged {G2919}.

"Don't judge, so that you won't be judged.

“Do not judge, or you will be judged.

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Context

Matthew 7:1 opens the concluding section of Jesus' transformative Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7). Following teachings on prayer, fasting, and wealth, this verse shifts focus to interpersonal relationships and the dangers of spiritual hypocrisy. It sets the stage for further warnings against judgmentalism, symbolized by the famous analogy of the speck and the plank. This instruction is critical for understanding the nature of true righteousness that Jesus calls His followers to embody.

Key Themes

  • Prohibition of Hypocritical Judgment: The primary message is a strong warning against a condemning, critical, or self-righteous attitude towards others. Jesus is not forbidding all forms of discernment or correction, but rather the spirit of fault-finding that ignores one's own failings.
  • The Principle of Reciprocity: The phrase "that ye be not judged" highlights a divine principle: the standard by which we judge others will be applied to us. This idea is explicitly reinforced in the very next verse, Matthew 7:2, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
  • Self-Examination Before Criticism: This verse implicitly calls for introspection. Before pointing out flaws in others, one must first examine their own heart and actions. It promotes humility and grace over arrogance and condemnation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "judge" is krinō (κρίνω). While krinō can mean simply "to discern" or "to decide," in this context, especially given the surrounding verses, it carries the stronger connotation of "to condemn," "to pass a harsh verdict," or "to criticize unjustly and hypocritically." It refers to a definitive, often condemning, judgment that usurps God's role as the ultimate judge. It does not preclude the need for believers to exercise righteous discernment (as seen in John 7:24) or to confront sin within the church lovingly (as outlined in 1 Corinthians 5:12 and Matthew 18:15-17).

Practical Application

Matthew 7:1 challenges believers to cultivate a spirit of humility and self-awareness. It doesn't mean we should ignore sin or fail to make moral distinctions, but rather that our approach to others should be marked by grace, understanding, and a recognition of our own fallenness.

  • Humility First: Before criticizing someone else, reflect on your own shortcomings and areas needing growth.
  • Focus on Inner Transformation: Prioritize dealing with your own "plank" before attempting to remove the "speck" from another's eye.
  • Extend Grace: Remember the mercy and forgiveness you have received from God, and extend that same compassion to others.
  • Discernment, Not Condemnation: While we are called to discern truth from error and good from evil, this must be done with love and a desire for restoration, not with a condemning spirit.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that the way we treat others, particularly in judgment, often reflects the very standard by which we ourselves will be evaluated.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:

  • 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.

  • Romans 2:2

    But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

  • James 4:11

    ¶ 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.

  • James 4:12

    There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

  • Luke 6:41

    And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

  • Romans 14:10

    But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
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