Bible Strands
James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James addresses a community of believers as he concludes a section on faith and works. He delivers this warning at the precise moment of transition between instructing them to act by the law of freedom and questioning faith devoid of deeds.
The words — κρίσις (krisis) translates as judgment, and ἀνέλεος (aneleos) translates as without mercy. The text states that anyone who has not shown mercy will receive judgment characterized by that same absence of mercy.
The thread — The verse runs parallel to Matthew 5:7, Proverbs 21:13, and Matthew 6:15. These passages collectively state that divine assessment mirrors human merciful conduct, whether through forgiveness, aid to the poor, or refusal to forgive.
Why it lands — It demands that readers measure their compassion against the standard they expect to receive. The text requires active mercy as the necessary condition for avoiding unmitigated judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
- Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
- Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
- Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
- Psalms 18:25 To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
- Matthew 18:28 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’
- Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you will be judged.
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.