Albert Barnes Commentary James 2:13

"For judgment [is] without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment." — James 2:13 (ASV)

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy. This is obviously an equitable principle, and is one which is everywhere found in the Bible. Proverbs 21:13: Whoever stops 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 you will show yourself merciful, and with the froward you will show yourself unsavoury. Compare to Psalm 18:25-26; Matthew 6:15; Matthew 7:1–2.

The idea which the apostle apparently intends to convey here is that there will certainly be a judgment; that we must expect it to be conducted on equitable principles; that no mercy is to be shown when a person's character is not such that it would be proper for mercy to be shown; 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 when one is superior to another, or has gained a victory over another. The reference throughout this passage 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, meaning 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 into 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; yet there are cases when mercy pleads, when everyone feels that it would be desirable for pardon to 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, his youth, his high attainments, his honorable connections, and his brilliant hopes all pleaded that he might live and be pardoned. In the heart 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 so, 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 shown 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 hearts of all holy beings can be gratified in the salvation of countless thousands.

A cross-reference for Rejoiceth against judgment is Psalm 85:10. Other notes suggest: for "rejoiceth," an alternative is glorieth; and for "rejoiceth against," an alternative is "exults over."