James 2:13 kjv
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 2:13 nkjv
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13 niv
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13 esv
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13 nlt
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
James 2 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. | The promise of mercy for the merciful. |
| Lk 6:36 | Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. | Command to imitate God's mercy. |
| Lk 6:37 | Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; | Principle of reciprocal judgment/mercy. |
| Mt 7:1-2 | For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. | The law of reciprocity in judgment. |
| Mt 18:28-35 | Parable of the unmerciful servant who, though forgiven much, showed no mercy to his fellow servant, and was subsequently punished. | Illustration of judgment without mercy. |
| Prov 21:13 | Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. | Consequences of withholding compassion. |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | Confession leads to mercy. |
| Ex 34:6-7 | The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness... visiting iniquity... | God's dual nature: mercy and justice. |
| Ps 103:8-10 | The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love... He does not deal with us according to our sins... | Description of God's abundant mercy. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning... | God's unfailing mercies. |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love (mercy) and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. | God's priority of mercy over ritual. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness (mercy), and to walk humbly with your God? | Requirements for pleasing God. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another. | Command to show mercy and justice. |
| Jas 2:14-26 | General context of James 2 concerning faith and works. | The surrounding context emphasizing works. |
| Jas 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. | Practical outworking of pure religion (mercy). |
| Mt 25:41-46 | Those who did not care for "the least of these" are sent into eternal punishment. | Judgment based on acts of mercy/neglect. |
| Rom 2:1-3 | Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges... | Warning against hypocrisy in judging others. |
| Rom 2:5-6 | ...storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works. | God's righteous judgment and consequences. |
| Rom 2:12-13 | For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. | Judgment according to actions, not mere hearing. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. | Accountability at Christ's judgment seat. |
| Heb 10:30-31 | For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. | The severity of God's judgment. |
| Job 22:6-7 | For you have exacted pledges of your brothers for nothing and stripped the naked of their clothing. You have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry. | Examples of unmerciful conduct. |
| Deut 10:17-18 | For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords... who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. | God's impartial justice and mercy to the vulnerable. |
James 2 verses
James 2 13 Meaning
James 2:13 emphatically declares that those who fail to show mercy to others will themselves be judged without mercy. Conversely, the verse provides a profound statement that active mercy—not merely a feeling, but compassionate action—ultimately triumphs over or stands superior to judgment. This principle highlights a fundamental aspect of divine justice and calls believers to emulate God's character by living out their faith through acts of practical compassion and kindness.
James 2 13 Context
James 2:13 is nestled within a larger argument (James 2:1-26) where James directly confronts a defective understanding of faith that claims to exist apart from good works. The chapter begins by addressing favoritism towards the wealthy and disdain for the poor, equating such actions with sin against the "royal law" (James 2:8-9) of loving one's neighbor. The verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, underscoring the consequence of violating this law of love and the overarching principle that divine judgment mirrors human conduct regarding mercy. Historically and culturally, James is writing to Jewish believers dispersed across the Roman world, many of whom would be familiar with the Old Testament emphasis on both God's justice and His mercy, as well as the importance of acts of righteousness and charity within Jewish tradition. The text acts as a powerful corrective to any form of "cheap grace" or theoretical faith that neglects practical righteousness.
James 2 13 Word analysis
- For (γάρ - gar): A causal conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding discussion about keeping the "royal law" of love (James 2:8-12). It introduces the divine consequence of partiality and a loveless "faith."
- judgment (κρίσις - krisis): Refers to divine assessment and judicial decision, implying accountability and condemnation for wrong-doing. It's the moment of divine scrutiny, which can lead to negative consequences.
- without mercy (ἀνέλεος - aneleos): A compound adjective formed from 'an' (negation) and 'eleos' (mercy). It literally means "without mercy," "unmerciful," or "pitiless." It describes a state of lacking compassion.
- will be shown (ἔσται - estai): Future tense of "to be," indicating a definite and unavoidable outcome.
- to anyone who has not been merciful (τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος - tō mē poiēsanti eleos): "To him who has not done mercy" or "has not practiced mercy." This emphasizes action, not just feeling. The negative "mē" underlines the lack of active compassion. The participle "poiēsanti" (having done/practiced) refers to a past state or characteristic.
- Mercy (ἔλεος - eleos): More than just pity; it encompasses active compassion and practical help towards those in need. It reflects God's own character and is expected of His followers.
- triumphs (κατακαυχάομαι - katakauchaomai): A strong verb meaning "to boast against," "exult over," "triumph over," or "get the upper hand over." It suggests an assertive victory, not a passive one. It means mercy takes a superior stand, shining brighter and proving more powerful than the alternative.
- over (κατά - kata): Indicates dominance or superiority.
- judgment (κρίσις - krisis): As above, referring to divine scrutiny or condemnation.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.": This establishes a reciprocal principle of divine justice. God's judgment reflects the human behavior exhibited. If a person withholds mercy, they will face a judgment devoid of mercy. This directly ties human action (or inaction) to divine response, reflecting the law of sowing and reaping (Gal 6:7).
- "Mercy triumphs over judgment!": This is a powerful, climactic statement. It does not imply that mercy negates or abolishes divine judgment altogether, but rather that a person characterized by active mercy will stand triumphantly in the face of judgment. Their deeds of mercy become a powerful witness and a plea, aligned with God's character, effectively "boasting" over any potential condemnation. It highlights that mercy, when shown consistently, ultimately leads to a favorable outcome at the point of divine assessment, aligning the merciful person with God’s gracious character.
James 2 13 Bonus section
The concept of "Mercy triumphs over judgment" also alludes to the fact that God's grace and redemptive plan through Christ allow mercy to intervene in human judgment, particularly for those who have put their trust in Him and sought to live out His commands, including mercy. The verb katakauchaomai ("triumphs over") paints a picture of mercy's strong standing. It's not a whisper in judgment's ear but a powerful shout of victory. This underscores that Christian faith is never merely a mental assent but a transforming power that reorients one's life toward active love and compassion, reflecting the very character of God. The Old Testament repeatedly demonstrates God's preference for mercy over strict sacrifice or mere ritual, laying the foundation for James's strong statement (e.g., Hos 6:6). Ultimately, this verse serves as a crucial reminder that how we treat others reflects our true spiritual condition and has eternal ramifications in the light of God's perfect justice and boundless mercy.
James 2 13 Commentary
James 2:13 is a pivotal verse within James's letter, encapsulating his central theme of faith demonstrated through works. The first half acts as a solemn warning: the absence of practical mercy towards others guarantees the experience of merciless judgment from God. This echoes Jesus' teaching that we will be judged by the standard we apply to others (Mt 7:2). The judgment referred to here is the ultimate divine scrutiny believers will face concerning their actions and the genuineness of their faith.
The second half, "Mercy triumphs over judgment," is a bold, almost triumphant declaration. This does not mean that showing mercy allows one to escape the reality of judgment, nor that mercy earns salvation. Rather, it suggests that true, active mercy is the defining characteristic of a living faith, and this genuine faith, manifested in mercy, is what ultimately leads to vindication or favorable standing when one faces divine judgment. The "triumph" signifies that the active presence of mercy in one's life bears witness to a genuine transformation, providing confidence and a right standing before the Divine Judge, whose very nature is mercy. In essence, it asserts that the lifestyle of a merciful believer aligns so perfectly with God's heart that their mercy becomes their strong advocate in the day of reckoning.Example: Consider a person who regularly donates time and resources to help the poor, cares for the vulnerable, and extends forgiveness readily. Their consistent life of mercy speaks powerfully when their deeds are brought before God.