Charles Ellicott 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.—Say in preference, Murmur not. “Grudge” has curiously changed its meaning from an outward murmur to an inward feeling. It has unfortunately been retained both here and in 1 Peter 4:9. See also Psalms 59:15, especially the Prayer Book version, “They will . . . grudge if they be not satisfied”—that is, complain and murmur.

Lest you . . .—It is not “lest you be condemned,” but lest you be judged, repeating the exact words of the original in Matthew 7:1.

Behold, the judge stands before the door.—Compare this scene with that depicted in Revelation 3:20. In the one, Christ lingers mercifully outside the door that “loves its hinge”; He would gladly enter and abide. In the other, He sounds a note of alarm; men are “waked in the night, not girding their loins for a journey, but in vague wonder at uncertain noise, who may turn again to their slumber,” or in wistful listening wait in vain for the voice of mercy which shall plead with them no more for ever (Ruskin).

One of the mocking questions put to St. James by his enemies, as they hurried him to death, was, “Which is the door of Jesus?” And failing to receive an answer that satisfied them, they said, “Let us stone this James the Just!” which they did, after they had cast him over the Temple wall.