In Part 1 we established the dos and do-nots of judging. Here we’ll examine some Scripture passages with emphasis on key words. We’ll color-code them to match their Greek counterparts—the original New Testament language—which will add extra meaning. From these passages we’ll construct a theology of judging. Note: There are over 140 NT passages with some form of judge. We’ll look at a representative selection.
First up, we have Matthew 7, from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 7:1-5
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
The blue word is based on the Greek krino (Strongs 2919). The word can mean things like separating, picking out, and pronouncing an opinion. The orange word comes from krima (Strongs 2917), which is lexically related to krino.
Notice how Jesus draws our attention inward. We all have logs in our eyes. It’s part of the sinful human condition. Judgmental people, by contrast, focus outside themselves onto others.
In verses 3-5, Jesus directs us to watch our lives lest we commit the same things we condemn in others. Having a high standard means there’s that much to live by—and that much more opportunity to break it. Jesus is saying this so we don’t have to learn the hard way from experience. Don’t hold others to a standard that you’re not willing to do yourself. If you treat others gently and with respect, things will return to you in that way.
Things get interesting when we consider 1 Corinthians, which features the j-word quite often but with a new Greek word behind the scenes.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
In at least two English versions, two different Greek words are translated as “judge.” The blue word is the same as Matthew 7. A good synonym for the red word is “examined” (Strongs 350, anakrino). Paul wanted the Corinthian church to understand the role of leaders and apostles like himself. In verse 2 he states leaders should “be found faithful.” He isn’t interested in whether the Corinthians’ examine him; he’s more interested in God’s examination. Examining is not a sin. It has a place when the situation calls for it. Examination allows the facts to emerge, like in a police investigation. Interestingly, Paul states he doesn’t judge (or examine) himself. For the moment, his conscience is clear (“I am not aware of anything against myself…”).
His very next statement is that the Lord judges/examines him. Note this carefully. God examines our actions to see if we are found faithful. Some things will be revealed now, but many other things will come out later when the things in darkness will come to light. Because of this, we must not pronounce judgment prematurely, before true motives are revealed. Judgmental people often make hasty conclusions. Again, Paul doesn’t forbid examining before the time. But ultimately, any examination we do is limited at best and will always fall short of God’s ultimate examination. Sometimes we just can’t know someone’s heart behind his or her actions. We are not to judge but to leave both the examination and judgment to God. In fact, we must make sure our own hearts are right and that we are properly motivated in examining someone else. Asking questions just to start rumors or gossip isn’t what Paul has in mind.
1 Corinthians 5:3-5
For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Just a few verses earlier, we discover that a man in the church has been sleeping with his stepmother. This is a huge sin, one the church isn’t properly addressing. Paul rather forcefully states that he is pronouncing judgment on this man.
But wait…Didn’t Jesus tell God’s people not to judge? Even though Paul has special authority as an apostle, it would seem based on the Greek word that Paul is violating Matthew 7. But this isn’t the same situation. There is strong sin, and the man’s heart motive is instantly obvious. He is committing sexual immorality, a clear sin and violation of God’s will (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Paul isn’t being judgmental in bringing down the hammer. In fact, Paul wishes the Corinthian church had done this very thing instead of tolerating this man’s behavior.
In our own day, someone who has experienced church discipline may claim the church was judgmental. However, church discipline when properly practiced is far from judgmental. The door is always open for the person to repent and even be restored in fellowship. Real judgmentalism has a finality to it, a sense of “I know who/what you are, and I condemn you forever for it with no chance of restoration.” Is that really Paul’s heart here? Do judgmental people care about the other person being “saved in the day of the Lord”?
The picture of judging in Scripture is starting to emerge. Let’s continue in 1 Corinthians 5.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
In context, Paul is authorizing God’s people to enact church discipline on flagrant, willful sin within the church. He wants God’s people to refuse fellowship with supposed believers living in unrepentant sexual immorality, greed, or other conditions. When clear sin is involved, we must respond differently than if someone is exercising Christ’s freedom in a way we might not (e.g. watching sports or Harry Potter). In Paul’s physical absence, the Corinthian church needed to grip the sin situation and quash it. He commands them not even to eat with supposed believers engaging in unrepentant behavior. This may seem a bit judgmental, but sometimes the motives of one’s heart are very clear. Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company ruins good morals.” So Paul does indeed say here that believers must judge these people inside the church.
Let’s take a look forward to the final judgment of Christ.
Luke 22:30
You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus is referring to his disciples. They’ve been faithful to him, and he will reward them with a place in his kingdom and a chance to judge Israel. That’s quite a privilege!
So…we are not the twelve apostles. This is no longer a role in the church. Yet, based on this passage, Revelation 3:21, and 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (where Paul says saints will judge the world as well as angels), it’s clear believers will have a role in the end when Jesus judges the world. There is participation with Christ in condemning evil. By this time, like 1 Corinthians 4 mentions, all true motives for every single action will be known. There won’t be any ambiguity anymore.
Here’s one more passage to round out our theology of judging.
John 8:15-16
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
The Book of John uses language like this often. There is a special interaction between the Father and the Son when it comes to judging. This may be a bit of a leap, but I imagine Jesus’ use of this language is intended to emphasize his deity. He’s implying that he has the right as well as the intention to judge the world. (By the way, the green word is related to krino).
It’s also important that his judgment is true. Since he knows all things, how can it not be? He knows the thoughts and motives of everyone, even now.
A few other passages
Romans 2 provides an interesting example of judging others. Paul has just laid out the sinfulness of all mankind in chapter 1, and then in the beginning of chapter 2 some were judging others for breaking God’s commands. But the judgers were breaking the commands too! Sounds a lot like Matthew 7, doesn’t it?
The New Testament features many passages on judging in the sense of deciding. Sometimes an opinion must be rendered. For example, in Acts 4:19 Peter asks the priests and Sadducees if it’s better to serve God or man. “You must judge,” he tells them. This is a spiritual matter in need of an answer. Disputes and accusations are like this too.
Putting it all together into a framework
So what are all these passages saying in context, and how do they fit together into a theology of judging?
- Generally, don’t judge others because whatever standard you use will be applied to you. It could get you in trouble if you break it.
- If there’s rampant sin in the church, don’t associate with the people behind it. Practice church discipline and judge the one guilty of sin. Hope and pray for repentance and restoration.
- Look forward to the participation you will have one day with Christ in the final judgment.
- Know that God is the true judge and always knows the motives of the heart. By contrast, sometimes we can’t know someone’s motives.
Looks like the Bible has quite a bit to say about judging. I invite you to keep studying this for yourself.