James Chapter 4 verse 12 Holy Bible

ASV James 4:12

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?
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BBE James 4:12

There is only one judge and law-giver, even he who has the power of salvation and of destruction; but who are you to be your neighbour's judge?
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DARBY James 4:12

One is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: but who art *thou* who judgest thy neighbour?
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KJV James 4:12

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
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WBT James 4:12


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WEB James 4:12

Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
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YLT James 4:12

one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; thou -- who art thou that dost judge the other?
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James 4 : 12 Bible Verse Songs

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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."