James 5 9

James 5:9 kjv

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

James 5:9 nkjv

Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:9 niv

Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:9 esv

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

James 5:9 nlt

Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look ? the Judge is standing at the door!

James 5 verses

James 5 9 Meaning

James 5:9 serves as a crucial warning against internal discord among believers, specifically prohibiting grumbling or murmuring against fellow Christians. The exhortation is powerfully motivated by the impending reality of divine judgment. Believers are called to exercise restraint in their complaints and criticisms of one another, recognizing that a swift and ultimate arbiter—the Lord Himself—is imminent, standing at the very threshold to assess their conduct and attitudes, especially concerning their interactions within the community of faith. This verse urges patience and unity in light of the Lord's near return.

James 5 9 Context

James 5:9 is situated within a broader section of James's letter that addresses the patience of believers amidst suffering and injustice, and the certainty of the Lord's coming. Preceding verses (5:1-6) sharply condemn the oppressive rich who exploit workers, a context that might fuel impatience or grumbling among the oppressed poor. Verses 5:7-8 directly call for patience, likening the Lord's coming to the patient wait of a farmer for the harvest. Thus, verse 9 directly flows from this expectation, warning believers against internal discord while they wait. The historical context for early Christians often involved social tension, economic hardship, and persecution, which could naturally lead to frustration and friction within the believing community. James counters this tendency, redirecting their focus from internal blame to the hope of Christ's imminent return as the ultimate Judge and deliverer.

James 5 9 Word analysis

• Do not grumble (μὴ στενάζετε - mē stenazete):

  • Mē is a negative particle indicating prohibition.
  • Stenazete comes from stenazo, meaning to groan, sigh, or express sorrow or discomfort, often audibly. In this context, it signifies a low, disgruntled complaining or murmuring, especially about or against others. It is often linked to the internal feeling of oppression or impatience that boils over into vocal dissatisfaction. The command is active, urging a conscious decision to refrain. Its use echoes the Israelites' complaints in the wilderness (e.g., Exod 16), often implying a lack of trust in God's provision or plan.

• against one another (κατʼ ἀλλήλων - kat' allēlōn):

  • Kata signifies "against" or "down upon."
  • Allēlōn means "one another."
  • This phrase clearly specifies the target of the grumbling: fellow believers within the Christian community. It points to internal disunity and a breakdown of brotherly love, contrasting with calls for unity and mutual forbearance found throughout the New Testament. This internal strife is depicted as particularly grievous.

• brothers (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi):

  • A common term of endearment used by James throughout his letter, emphasizing the shared spiritual kinship and family bond among believers. It underscores the inappropriateness and seriousness of grumbling "against one another" within such a close relationship.

• so that you may not be judged (ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε - hina mē krithēte):

  • Hina introduces a purpose clause ("in order that," "so that").
  • Mē again denotes negation.
  • Kritēte is from krino, meaning to judge, decide, or evaluate. In this context, the passive voice implies being judged by an external, higher authority, clearly referring to divine judgment at the hands of the Lord. The purpose for refraining from grumbling is to avoid this adverse judgment. It highlights the gravity of the sin of internal discord and warns of its eternal consequences, not just social ones.

• Behold, the Judge (ἰδοὺ ὁ κριτὴς - idou ho kritēs):

  • Idou is an emphatic interjection meaning "behold!" or "look!" It calls for immediate attention and highlights the significance and certainty of what follows.
  • Ho kritēs identifies the Lord as "the Judge." This title emphasizes His authority, righteousness, and power to render a final verdict. The immediate introduction of "the Judge" reinforces the preceding warning against being judged. It sets the stage for a judicial assessment of believers' conduct.

• is standing at the door! (ἕστηκεν πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν! - hestēken pro tōn thyrōn):

  • Hestēken is a perfect tense verb from histemi (to stand), implying a present state of having arrived and standing ready.
  • Pro tōn thyrōn literally means "before the doors" or "at the doors." This is a strong idiomatic expression for imminent arrival, being very near, or being at the point of immediate manifestation.
  • The combined phrase portrays the Judge as already present and poised for entry, ready to commence judgment. This serves as a powerful eschatological motivation, implying that Christ's return is not distant but imminent, thereby pressing believers to live in a state of constant readiness, unity, and moral rectitude.

James 5 9 Bonus section

The "standing at the door" phrase resonates with other New Testament passages that speak to the Lord's imminent return and the need for vigilance (e.g., the fig tree parable in Matt 24:33, Lk 12:40, Rev 22:12). This eschatological expectation was a powerful shaping force for early Christian ethics, providing an urgent impetus for holiness, love, and community purity. The warning against grumbling also highlights James' consistent concern for practical expressions of faith; how believers treat one another reflects their genuine expectation of the Lord and their understanding of His impending judgment, where even attitudes and words will be scrutinized.

James 5 9 Commentary

James 5:9 delivers a direct and urgent command to the suffering, waiting Christian community: resist the urge to grumble against each other. This instruction isn't merely about good manners; it addresses a deeper spiritual failing. Grumbling arises from impatience, a lack of trust, or self-righteous judgment, potentially fueled by the very hardships (mentioned earlier in the chapter) that they face. Such internal discord, where believers turn their frustrations on one another instead of God or the oppressors, actively undermines Christian unity and testimony.

The severity of this warning is underscored by its consequence: "so that you may not be judged." This is a sober reminder that internal strife carries divine accountability. The Judge is not some distant figure but is described as "standing at the door." This vivid imagery portrays the Lord's return not as a far-off event, but as an imminent, on-the-verge reality. The expectation of His personal appearance, His immediate proximity, serves as the ultimate motivation for a godly, peaceful, and unified life. The imminence of the Judge should move believers from self-focused complaining to Christ-focused readiness, transforming their attitude from bitterness towards brethren to earnest preparation for their Lord.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • Instead of complaining about a fellow church member's perceived failing, quietly pray for them and consider extending grace.
  • When feeling frustrated by the challenges in life, avoid expressing it as a blame or complaint directed at other believers.
  • Remind oneself that our conduct towards other Christians will be a point of evaluation before Christ.