The Greek word krínō, represented by G2919, properly means to distinguish or decide, both mentally and judicially. By implication, its meaning extends to trying, condemning, or punishing. It appears 131 times across 98 unique verses, playing a significant role in concepts of judgment, discernment, and decision-making.
The semantic breadth of G2919 finds its foundation in the core idea of separation or sifting. At its most basic, to krínō is to discern between two or more options, to make a distinction, or to form an opinion after careful consideration. This internal process of evaluation is fundamental to both mental decision-making and the formal act of legal judgment. It implies an act of discrimination, where one carefully weighs evidence or principles to arrive at a conclusion, whether that conclusion is a personal resolve, a communal verdict, or a divine decree. Thus, the word encompasses the entire spectrum from initial mental assessment to a final, binding declaration.
This underlying notion of sifting is evident when individuals are called to "judge in yourselves" 1 Corinthians 11:13, prompting a self-assessment based on established principles rather than external appearances. Similarly, the admonition to "judge ye what I say" 1 Corinthians 10:15 invites an active, discerning engagement with truth, requiring a mental separation of valid arguments from invalid ones. This process of distinguishing forms the basis for all subsequent actions, whether it is a determination to act in a certain way or the pronouncement of a judicial sentence.
In scripture, G2919 is used in several distinct ways. It is frequently a command against hypocritical human judgment, as in "Judge not, that ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1. It also describes God's ultimate authority to render a final verdict, such as when the dead are judged according to their works Revelation 20:12. The term can also mean to condemn, as when God sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save it John 3:17. Finally, it can signify a personal resolution or determination, as when Paul determined not to know anything among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 2:2.
Beyond the widely recognized uses, G2919 also illuminates the active role of believers in exercising judgment within the community of faith. While warned against external, hypocritical judgment, Christians are paradoxically called to "judge them that are within" 1 Corinthians 5:12. This internal judicial function is further emphasized by Paul's assertion that "the saints shall judge the world" and even "angels" 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, suggesting a future eschatological role that requires present-day capacity for discerning "the smallest matters" 1 Corinthians 6:2. This communal discernment is distinct from condemnation of outsiders, as "them that are without God judgeth" 1 Corinthians 5:13.
G2919 frequently describes the determined resolve of individuals, particularly Paul, to pursue a specific course of action or conviction. For instance, he "determined" not to revisit the Corinthians with heaviness 2 Corinthians 2:1, or "determined to sail by Ephesus" to hasten his journey to Jerusalem Acts 20:16. This usage highlights the power of an individual's will to make a firm decision, often with significant implications for their ministry and movements, such as when he "determined to send" Paul to Augustus Acts 25:25 or when it was "determined that we should sail into Italy" Acts 27:1. The word also captures the experience of being subjected to judgment, as Paul stood and "was judged for the hope of the promise" Acts 26:6, indicating a passive reception of legal scrutiny.
Several related words provide additional nuance to the concept of judgment:
- G1252 diakrínō (to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate): This word emphasizes thorough separation or discernment. It is used in the context of self-examination, where believers are called to judge themselves to avoid being judged by the Lord 1 Corinthians 11:31.
- G2632 katakrínō (to judge against, i.e. sentence): This term focuses specifically on the act of sentencing or condemnation. It highlights the negative outcome of a guilty verdict, as seen in the warning that whoever judges another condemns himself Romans 2:1.
- G2923 kritḗs (a judge (genitive case or specially)): As the noun form, this word refers to the one who performs the act of judging. Scripture warns against usurping this role, stating that one who judges the law is not a doer of the law but a judge James 4:11.
- G2917 kríma (a verdict, sentence, judgment): This noun directly denotes the outcome or result of the act of judging, often carrying the weight of condemnation or a legal decision.
- G2920 krísis (a decision, judgment, condemnation, crisis): This noun refers to the process, act, or occasion of judgment, often highlighting the critical turning point or the decisive moment of evaluation.
The theological weight of G2919 is profound, defining the lines of divine authority and human accountability.
- Divine Judgment: Scripture establishes that the authority to judge ultimately belongs to God Hebrews 13:4 and has been committed to the Son, Jesus Christ John 5:22. He will judge the living and the dead 2 Timothy 4:1 in perfect righteousness Acts 17:31.
- The Basis of Judgment: Humans will be judged according to their works Revelation 20:13, their acceptance or rejection of Christ's words John 12:48, and even the hidden things of the heart 1 Corinthians 4:5.
- Prohibition of Unrighteous Judgment: There is a clear biblical mandate to avoid hypocritical or superficial judgment (Matthew 7:1, John 7:24). Believers are warned that judging a brother is tantamount to judging the law itself James 4:11.
- Discernment and Decision: Beyond legal verdicts, krínō also encompasses the crucial act of making a considered decision or forming a conclusion. This is seen when the apostles judge a person to be faithful Acts 16:15 or when Paul judges that one died for all 2 Corinthians 5:14.
- Believers' Eschatological Judgment: Scripture reveals that believers, having been saved by grace, will nonetheless participate in a form of judgment, particularly concerning the world and even angels. Jesus promised His disciples that they would "sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" Matthew 19:28, a promise echoed in Luke 22:30. This shared authority in judgment underscores the transformed status and future co-regency of the redeemed, as reiterated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3.
- The Inevitability of Divine Scrutiny: The use of G2919 underscores that all humanity, without exception, will face God's judgment. This is not merely an abstract concept but a revealed certainty, as "God will judge" whoremongers and adulterers Hebrews 13:4, and the Father "judgeth according to every man's work" 1 Peter 1:17. Even those who have heard the gospel and rejected it will be judged by the word itself on the last day John 12:48, highlighting the inescapable accountability before the righteous judge.
The Greek term G2919 krínō is a rich and dynamic verb, encapsulating the entire spectrum of discernment, decision-making, and judicial process. Fundamentally, it denotes the act of distinguishing, sifting, or evaluating, leading to a conclusion or verdict. This core meaning branches out into diverse applications, from a personal determination to follow a specific path, as seen in Paul's resolve not to know anything save Christ 1 Corinthians 2:2, to the profound and ultimate judgments rendered by God.
In its human application, G2919 highlights the imperative for believers to exercise righteous and discerning judgment, particularly within the church, rather than hypocritical condemnation of others Matthew 7:1. It also captures the personal resolve to make considered choices, shaping individual conduct and ministry. Conversely, it describes the passive experience of being subjected to scrutiny, whether in a legal setting or before God. The theological significance of G2919 is profound, underscoring God's absolute authority as the righteous judge of all humanity, the living and the dead, whose verdicts are based on works, words, and the hidden things of the heart.
Crucially, the concept extends to the eschatological role of believers, who will share in the future judgment of the world and angels, highlighting their transformed status and co-regency with Christ. This multifaceted word thus serves as a cornerstone for understanding divine justice, human accountability, the necessity of spiritual discernment, and the ultimate certainty that all will stand before the One who judges righteously.
TRV