Lectionary Calendar
Friday, October 11th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

King James Version

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Charitableness;   Faith;   God Continued...;   Judgment;   Malice;   Mercy;   Religion;   Thompson Chain Reference - Mercifulness-Unmercifulness;   Mercy;   Unmercifulness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Forgiveness of Injuries;   Mercy;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Judgment;   Mercy;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - James, the General Epistle of;   Oded;   Holman Bible Dictionary - James, the Letter;   Mercy, Merciful;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Bible;   Canon of the New Testament;   Games;   Idolatry;   Law;   Text of the New Testament;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - James ;   James Epistle of;   Law;   Love;   Mercy;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - James, Epistle of;   Mercy;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for April 27;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
Simplified Cowboy Version
There will be no mercy waitin' on a cowboy who never showed anyone else such a thing. But mercy trumps judgment every single time.
Bible in Basic English
For the man who has had no mercy will be judged without mercy, but mercy takes pride in overcoming judging.
Darby Translation
for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.
World English Bible
For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For judgment without mercy shall be to him that shewed no mercy: mercy glorieth over judgment.
Weymouth's New Testament
For he who shows no mercy will have judgement given against him without mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgement.
King James Version (1611)
For he shall haue iudgement without mercie, that hath shewed no mercy, & mercie reioyceth against iudgement.
Literal Translation
For judgment will be without mercy to the one not doing mercy. And mercy rejoices over judgment.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For ther shalbe iudgement merciles to him that sheweth no mercy, & mercy reioiseth against iudgment.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for he that has not shewed mercy, shall be condemn'd without mercy: while the merciful shall triumph at his trial.
Amplified Bible
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.
American Standard Version
For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
Revised Standard Version
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For ther shalbe iudgement merciles to him that sheweth no mercy and mercy reioyseth agaynst iudgement:
Update Bible Version
For judgment [is] without mercy to him that has shown no mercy: mercy glories against judgment.
Webster's Bible Translation
For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Young's Literal Translation
for the judgment without kindness [is] to him not having done kindness, and exult doth kindness over judgment.
New Century Version
So you must show mercy to others, or God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment.
New English Translation
For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.
Berean Standard Bible
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Contemporary English Version
Do this, because on the day of judgment there will be no pity for those who have not had pity on others. But even in judgment, God is merciful!
Complete Jewish Bible
For judgment will be without mercy toward one who doesn't show mercy; but mercy wins out over judgment.
English Standard Version
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For there shalbe condemnation merciles to him that sheweth not mercie, and mercie reioyceth against condemnation.
George Lamsa Translation
For a judgment without mercy will be on him, who does not show mercy; for you exalt yourselves by having mercy over judgment.
Christian Standard Bible®
For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn't shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Hebrew Names Version
For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
International Standard Version
For merciless judgment will come to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.Job 1:22:6; Proverbs 21:13; Matthew 6:15; 18:35; 25:41-42; 1 John 4:17-18;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
For judgment is to be without mercy, upon him who hath not done mercy. Be you exalted by mercy over judgment.
Murdock Translation
For judgment without mercy shall be on him, who hath practised no mercy: by mercy, ye will be raised above judgment.
New King James Version
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
New Living Translation
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.
New Life Bible
Anyone who shows no loving-kindness will have no loving-kindness shown to him when he is told he is guilty. But if you show loving-kindness, God will show loving-kindness to you when you are told you are guilty.
English Revised Version
For judgment is without mercy to him that hath shewed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
New Revised Standard
For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, the judgment, will be without mercy, unto him that hath shewed no mercy: Mercy, boasteth, over judgment.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.
Lexham English Bible
For judgment is merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For he shall haue iudgement without mercie, that sheweth no mercie: And mercie reioyceth agaynst iudgement.
Easy-to-Read Version
Yes, you must show mercy to others. If you do not show mercy, then God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the one who shows mercy can stand without fear before the Judge.
New American Standard Bible
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
Good News Translation
For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For whi dom with out merci is to hym, that doith no mercy; but merci aboue reisith dom.

Contextual Overview

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he: James 5:4, Genesis 42:21, Judges 1:7, Job 22:6-10, Proverbs 21:13, Isaiah 27:11, Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Matthew 18:28-35, Matthew 25:41-46, Luke 16:25

and: Psalms 85:10, Jeremiah 9:24, Ezekiel 33:11, Micah 7:18, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-7, 1 John 4:8-16, 1 John 4:18, 1 John 4:19

rejoiceth: or, glorieth

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:30 - and there was a great cry Exodus 14:26 - the waters Exodus 20:13 - General Deuteronomy 15:2 - exact it Deuteronomy 24:13 - shall be Joshua 2:12 - that ye will Judges 4:16 - pursued Judges 5:27 - where Judges 9:7 - Hearken Judges 9:45 - beat 1 Samuel 11:11 - slew 1 Samuel 15:33 - As thy sword 1 Samuel 22:19 - men 1 Samuel 30:13 - my master 2 Samuel 12:6 - because 2 Samuel 22:26 - the merciful 2 Kings 4:1 - the creditor 2 Kings 11:16 - there was she slain 2 Chronicles 23:15 - they slew her there 2 Chronicles 28:11 - the fierce Nehemiah 10:31 - the exaction Esther 3:13 - in one day Job 20:19 - Because Job 21:31 - repay Job 31:14 - when he Psalms 18:26 - froward Psalms 41:1 - Lord Psalms 59:5 - be not Psalms 109:12 - none Psalms 109:16 - he remembered Proverbs 11:17 - but Proverbs 12:10 - but Proverbs 21:10 - findeth no favour Proverbs 22:16 - that oppresseth Ecclesiastes 5:8 - regardeth Isaiah 3:11 - for the reward Isaiah 14:6 - who smote Isaiah 47:6 - thou didst Jeremiah 34:17 - behold Jeremiah 50:15 - as she Jeremiah 50:42 - they are cruel Jeremiah 51:3 - spare Jeremiah 51:35 - The violence Jeremiah 51:49 - As Babylon Ezekiel 7:11 - Violence Ezekiel 7:27 - according to their deserts Ezekiel 18:7 - hath given Ezekiel 18:23 - not that Ezekiel 31:11 - he shall surely deal with him Ezekiel 35:11 - I will even Hosea 2:4 - I will not Hosea 12:6 - keep Joel 3:7 - and will Obadiah 1:15 - as Micah 2:3 - do Micah 3:4 - cry Zechariah 7:9 - saying Zechariah 11:6 - I will no Matthew 5:26 - Thou Matthew 6:14 - General Matthew 18:13 - he rejoiceth Matthew 18:35 - do Mark 11:25 - forgive Luke 6:38 - with Luke 10:31 - he passed Luke 11:4 - for Luke 16:24 - have Acts 16:30 - brought Ephesians 6:9 - the same Colossians 3:13 - forgiving Colossians 4:1 - give Hebrews 10:28 - without 1 Peter 3:8 - having 1 John 4:17 - we may

Cross-References

Genesis 10:6
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
Isaiah 11:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For he shall have judgment without mercy,.... Strict justice, and no mercy shown him:

that hath showed no mercy; to the poor brethren, and distressed members of Christ, but has shown respect of persons to the hurt of the poor, and has despised and oppressed them, instead of relieving and comforting them; so the rich man, that neglected Lazarus at his gates, is refused a drop of water to cool his tongue; and the servant that cruelly insisted on his fellow servant's paying him all he owed, justly incurred the displeasure of his Lord, and was by him delivered to the tormentors; and that servant that beats his fellow servants will be cut asunder, and, have his portion with hypocrites; and such who have seen any of the brethren of Christ hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and in prison, and have showed no regard for them, will hear, "Go, ye cursed, into everlasting fire":

and mercy rejoiceth against judgment; that is merciful men, who have shown mercy to the poor saints, will not be afraid of the awful judgment, but rather rejoice or glory, as the word signifies, in the view of it, since they will obtain mercy at that day, and hear, Come, ye blessed of my Father, c. Matthew 25:34 so the Ethiopic version renders it, he only shall glory in the day of judgment, who hath showed mercy the Alexandrian copy reads in the imperative, "let mercy glory", &c. and the Syriac version, "be ye exalted by mercy over judgment".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy - This is obviously an equitable principle, and is one which is everywhere found in the Bible. Proverbs 21:13. “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but will not be heard.” 2 Samuel 22:26-27, “with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory.” Compare Psalms 18:25-26; Matthew 6:15; Matthew 7:1-2. The idea which the apostle seems to design to convey here is, that there will certainly be a judgment, and that we must expect that it will be conducted on equitable principles; that no mercy is to be shown when the character is not such that it will be proper that it should be; and that we should habitually feel in our conduct that God will be impartial, and should frame our lives accordingly.

And mercy rejoiceth against judgment - Margin, “glorieth.” Greek Boasts, glories, or exults. The idea is that of glorying over, as where one is superior to another, or has gained a victory over another. The reference all along here is to the judgment, the trial of the great day; and the apostle is stating the principles on which the trial at that day will be conducted - on which one class shall be condemned, and the other acquitted and saved. In reference to one class, the wicked, he says that where there has been no mercy shown to others - referring to this as one evidence of piety - that is, where there is no true piety, there will be judgment without mercy; in the other case there will be, as it were, a triumph of mercy, or mercy will appear to have gained a victory over judgment. Strict justice would indeed plead for their condemnation, but the attribute of mercy will triumph, and they will be acquitted.

The attributes of mercy and justice would seem to come in conflict, but mercy would prevail. This is a true statement of the plan of salvation, and of what actually occurs in the redemption of a sinner. Justice demands, as what is her due, that the sinner should be condemned; mercy pleads that he may be saved - and mercy prevails. It is not uncommon that there seems to be a conflict between the two. In the dispensations of justice before human tribunals, this often occurs. Strict justice demands the punishment of the offender; and yet there are cases when mercy pleads, and when every man feels that it would be desirable that pardon should be extended to the guilty, and when we always rejoice if mercy triumphs. In such a case, for example, as that of Major Andre, this is strikingly seen. On the one hand, there was the undoubted proof that he was guilty; that he had been taken as a spy; that by the laws of war he ought to be put to death; that as what he had done had tended to the ruin of the American cause, and as such an act, if unpunished, would always expose an army to surprise and destruction, he ought, in accordance with the law of nations, to die.

On the other hand, there were his youth, his high attainments, his honorable connections, his brilliant hopes, all pleading that he might live, and that he might be pardoned. In the bosom of Washington, the promptings of justice and mercy thus came into collision. Both could not be gratified, and there seemed to be but one course to be pursued. His sense of justice was shown in the act by which he signed the death-warrant; his feelings of compassion in the fact that when he did it his eyes poured forth a flood of tears. How every generous feeling of our nature would have been gratified if mercy could have triumphed, and the youthful and accomplished officer could have been spared! In the plan of salvation, this does occur. Respect is done to justice, but mercy triumphs. Justice indeed pleaded for the condemnation of the sinner, but mercy interposed, and he is saved. Justice is not disregarded, for the great Redeemer of mankind has done all that is needful to uphold it; but there is the most free and full exercise of mercy, and, while the justice of God is maintained, every benevolent feeling in the breasts of all holy beings can be gratified in the salvation of countless thousands.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 13. For he shall have judgment — He who shows no mercy to man, or, in other words, he who does not exercise himself in works of charity and mercy to his needy fellow creatures, shall receive no mercy at the hand of God; for he hath said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The unmerciful therefore are cursed, and they shall obtain no mercy.

Mercy rejoiceth against judgment. — These words are variously understood.

1. Mercy, the merciful man, the abstract for the concrete, exults over judgment, that is, he is not afraid of it, having acted according to the law of liberty, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

2. Ye shall be exalted by mercy above judgment.

3. For he (God) exalts mercy above judgment.

4. A merciful man rejoices rather in opportunities of showing mercy, than in acting according to strict justice.

5. In the great day, though justice might condemn every man according to the rigour of the law, yet God will cause mercy to triumph over justice in bringing those into his glory who, for his sake, had fed the hungry, clothed the naked, ministered to the sick, and visited the prisoners. See what our Lord says, Matthew 25:31-46.

In the MSS. and versions there is a considerable variety of readings on this verse, and some of the senses given above are derived from those readings. The spirit of the saying may be found in another scripture, I will have mercy and not sacrifice-I prefer works of charity and mercy to every thing else, and especially to all acts of worship. The ROYAL LAW, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, should particularly prevail among men, because of the miserable state to which all are reduced by sin, so that each particularly needs the help of his brother.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile