Albert Barnes Commentary James 5:9

"Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors." — James 5:9 (ASV)

Grudge not one against another. The margin reads: "groan, grieve." The Greek word (stenazw) means to sigh, to groan, as of persons in distress (Romans 8:23), and then to sigh or groan through impatience, fretfulness, or ill humor; and hence to murmur, to find fault, to complain. The exact idea here is not that of grudging in the sense of dissatisfaction with what others possess, or of being envious; it is that of being fretful and impatient—or, to use a common word which more exactly expresses the sense, that of grumbling.

This may arise from many causes: either because others have advantages which we do not, and we are discontented and unhappy, as if it were wrong in them to have such enjoyments; or because we, without reason, suppose they intend to slight and neglect us; or because we are ready to take offense at any little thing and to "pick a quarrel" with them.

There are some persons who are always grumbling. They have a sour, dissatisfied, discontented temper; they see no excellence in other persons; they are displeased that others are more prosperous, honored, and beloved than they are themselves; they are always complaining of what others do, not because they are injured, but because others seem to them to be weak and foolish; they seem to feel that it is fitting for them to complain if everything is not done precisely as, in their estimation, it should be.

It is needless to say that this spirit—the offspring of pride—will make anyone lead a wretched life, and equally needless to say that it is wholly contrary to the spirit of the gospel (Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5).

Lest you be condemned. That is, for judging others with this spirit—for this spirit is, in fact, judging them .

Behold, the judge stands before the door. The Lord Jesus, who is soon to come to judge the world . He is, as it were, even now approaching the door—so near that he can hear all that you say.