James 4:12
New International Version
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

New Living Translation
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

English Standard Version
There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Berean Standard Bible
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Berean Literal Bible
There is one Lawgiver and Judge, the One being able to save and to destroy. But who are you judging the neighbor?

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

New King James Version
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

New American Standard Bible
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?

NASB 1995
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

NASB 1977
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

Legacy Standard Bible
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you who judge your neighbor?

Amplified Bible
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of life and death]; but who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor?

Christian Standard Bible
There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

American Standard Version
One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

Contemporary English Version
or God who gave it. God is our judge, and he can save or destroy us. What right do you have to condemn anyone?

English Revised Version
One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbour?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There is only one teacher and judge. He is able to save or destroy you. So who are you to judge your neighbor?

Good News Translation
God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can save and destroy. Who do you think you are, to judge someone else?

International Standard Version
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge—the one who can save and destroy. So who are you to judge your neighbor?

Majority Standard Bible
There is only one Lawgiver, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge the other?

NET Bible
But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge--the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor?

New Heart English Bible
Only one is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Webster's Bible Translation
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Weymouth New Testament
The only real Lawgiver and Judge is He who is able to save or to destroy. Who are you to sit in judgement on your fellow man?

World English Bible
Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
One is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; you—who are you that judges the other?

Berean Literal Bible
There is one Lawgiver and Judge, the One being able to save and to destroy. But who are you judging the neighbor?

Young's Literal Translation
one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; thou -- who art thou that dost judge the other?

Smith's Literal Translation
There is one legislator, able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There is one lawgiver, and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver.

Catholic Public Domain Version
There is one lawgiver and one judge. He is able to destroy, and he is able to set free.

New American Bible
There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?

New Revised Standard Version
There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For there is one lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you to judge your neighbor?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
One is he who lays down The Written Law and judgment, who is able to give life and to destroy. Who are you who are judging your neighbor?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
There is one law-giver that is able to save, and to destroy: who are you that judge another?

Godbey New Testament
There is one lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: but who are you, the one judging your neighbor.

Haweis New Testament
There is one lawgiver, who can save or destroy: who art thou that judgest another man?

Mace New Testament
there is but one legislator, and judge, he that has the power of life and death: who art thou, to pass sentence upon another?

Weymouth New Testament
The only real Lawgiver and Judge is He who is able to save or to destroy. Who are you to sit in judgement on your fellow man?

Worrell New Testament
One is Law-giver and Judge—He Who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, that judge your neighbor?

Worsley New Testament
Now there is but one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou then that judgest another?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Drawing Near to God
11Brothers, 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. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”…

Cross References
Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:10-13
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ...

Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.

John 5:22-23
Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, / so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 8:15-16
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. / But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5
I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. / My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. / Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Hebrews 12:23
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

1 Peter 4:5
But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Deuteronomy 32:39
See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.

Psalm 75:7
but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.

Psalm 50:6
And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah

Isaiah 11:3-4
And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.


Treasury of Scripture

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another?

lawgiver.

Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

able.

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:5
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Hebrews 7:25
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

who.

1 Samuel 25:10
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

Job 38:2
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

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.

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James 4
1. We are to strive against covetousness;
4. intemperance;
5. pride;
11. detraction and rash judgment of others;
13. and not to be boastful of our future plans.














There is only one Lawgiver and Judge
This phrase emphasizes the singularity and sovereignty of God in His role as the ultimate authority. The Greek word for "Lawgiver" is "νομοθέτης" (nomothetēs), which appears only here in the New Testament, underscoring the unique position of God as the source of divine law. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of God as the giver of the Torah, the law that governed all aspects of life. The term "Judge" (κριτής, kritēs) further establishes God's role in determining righteousness and justice. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the belief in God's ultimate authority over moral and ethical standards, reminding believers that human judgment is limited and fallible.

the One who is able to save and destroy
This phrase speaks to God's omnipotence and His control over life and death. The Greek word for "save" is "σῴζω" (sōzō), which means to deliver or preserve, often used in the context of spiritual salvation. "Destroy" comes from "ἀπόλλυμι" (apollymi), meaning to ruin or bring to an end. This dual capability of God to save and destroy reflects His justice and mercy, central themes in Christian theology. Historically, this would resonate with early Christians who understood salvation as deliverance from sin and destruction as the consequence of rejecting God. It serves as a reminder of the eternal consequences of one's relationship with God.

But who are you to judge your neighbor?
This rhetorical question challenges the reader's presumption in assuming a role reserved for God. The Greek word for "judge" here is "κρίνω" (krinō), which means to separate, distinguish, or decide. The term "neighbor" (πλησίον, plēsion) refers to fellow humans, emphasizing the communal aspect of Christian life. In the historical context of James' audience, this would address issues of division and conflict within the early church. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this admonition serves as a call to humility and self-reflection, urging believers to refrain from usurping God's role as judge and instead focus on love and understanding within the community.

(12) There is one lawgiver . . . .--Better thus: One is the Law-giver and Judge, Who is able to save and to destroy: but thou--who art thou that judgest a neighbour? As a king is the fountain of honour, so the ultimate source of law is God; and all judgment really is delegated by Him, just as ordinary courts represent the royal majesty: to usurp such functions is to provoke the offended sovereign--whether of earth or heaven. "It is not our part," said Bengel, "to judge, since we cannot carry out our sentence." (Comp. a parallel scripture, Romans 14:4.)

Able to save and to destroy.--Life and death, salvation and utter destruction, seem to be placed in intentional contrast here. (Comp. Matthew 10:28.) The thought of annihilation meets us with awful suggestiveness, yet let us leave the mystery for awhile in happier thought--

"That nothing walks with aimless feet;

That not one life shall be destroyed,

Or cast as rubbish to the void,

When God hath made the pile complete."

Verse 12. - To play the part of a censor is to assume the office of a judge. But this is an office which belongs to God and not to man (cf. Romans 14:3, 4). The first words of the verse should be rendered as follows: "One only is the Lawgiver and Judge:" the last words, καὶ κριτής, omitted in the Received Text, being found in א, A, B, and most versions, the Latin, Syriac, and Coptic. In the last clause also the Received Text requires correction. Read, Σὺ δὲ τίς εῖ (insert δὲ, א, A, B, L, K, Latin, Syriac, Coptic) ὁ κρίνων τὸν πλήσιον (א, A, B).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
There is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

only one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

Lawgiver
νομοθέτης (nomothetēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3550: A law-giver, legislator. From nomos and a derivative of tithemi; a legislator.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Judge,
κριτής (kritēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2923: A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge.

the [One who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

is able
δυνάμενος (dynamenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to save
σῶσαι (sōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

destroy.
ἀπολέσαι (apolesai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are
εἶ (ei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

you
σὺ (sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

to judge
κρίνων (krinōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

[your]
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

neighbor?
πλησίον (plēsion)
Adverb
Strong's 4139: Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.


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NT Letters: James 4:12 Only one is the lawgiver who (Ja Jas. Jam)
James 4:11
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