Give Matthew 7:1-6 a read and meet me back here.
This passage of Scripture, one phrase in particular, has been quoted by both believers and unbelievers. “Judge not, that you be not judged.” What exactly did Jesus mean when He said that? Let’s dig in and see what we learn.
Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.
Let’s start off by looking at key words and their parsing information in the Greek language. The word judge (krinō) is in the imperative mood (it is a command, not a suggestion) and it means to distinguish or decide (mentally or judicially). It is used in this phrase to describe the act of judging severely (and often unfairly) and the act of finding fault with others. So that (ina) denotes the purpose or result of something. What is that something? So that you will not be judged. (Krinō) is used for both “judge” and “judged”, but the difference is found in the parsing. The word judged is in the passive voice (the subject is the receiver of the action).
If we are critical of others, finding fault with them, then we will receive
the same harsh judgment from the one and only true Judge.
In Matthew 5:20, Jesus called for a “righteousness greater than the Pharisees”. In some way people think that to make oneself more righteous, you need to be more judgmental of others (David Guzik).
Jesus calls us to unconditional love, not unconditional approval
In our society, we have seen this command of Jesus be used to manipulate others into approving of their sinful choices. That is not what Jesus is saying here. Jesus calls us to unconditional love, not unconditional approval. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus teaches “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”. Recognize (epiginṓskō) means to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly; to know accurately, know well.
“Recognizing fruit” calls for some type of assessment. I think the key to our judgment of others has everything to do with the heart in which the judging is done. In verse 2, Jesus says “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” The Greek word for judgment (krima) describes the condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others. Always be mindful that you too will be judged one day. How do you want to be judged? When you stand before the Judge, do you want Him to extend mercy or severe judgment?
Always be mindful that you too will be judged one day.
As I pondered this, what came to mind was how Jesus responded to the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3-11. While the motive of the Pharisees was to trip Jesus up in bringing that woman to Him, what I was drawn to was Jesus’ words in verses 10-11 – “Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” The Pharisees were judging this woman harshly, while Jesus extended mercy to her. Jesus didn’t condemn this woman, but He didn’t condone her sin. He issued the command, “go, and from now on sin no more”.
I’ll leave you with something I read in a commentary by David Guzik. He said, you break the command “judge not” when…
- We think the worst of others
- We only speak of others’ faults
- We judge a whole life by its worst moments
- We judge others’ motives
- We judge others without considering ourselves in the same circumstances
- We judge others without being mindful that we ourselves will be judged
I don’t know about you, but I have some mind-renewing and attitude adjusting to do when it comes to the command of Jesus to “judge not”.