Church Fathers Commentary Luke 6:37-38

"And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again." — Luke 6:37-38 (ASV)

St. Ambrose of Milan: The Lord added that we must not readily judge others, so that when you are conscious of your own guilt, you are not compelled to pass sentence on another.

St. John Chrysostom: Do not judge your superior; that is, as a disciple, you must not judge your master, nor should a sinner judge the innocent. You must not blame them, but advise and correct them with love. Neither must we pass judgment in doubtful or morally neutral matters that bear no resemblance to sin, or which are not serious or forbidden.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: He here expresses that worst inclination of our thoughts or hearts, which is the beginning and origin of proud disdain. For although it is fitting for people to examine themselves and follow God, they do not do this. Instead, they scrutinize the affairs of others; and while they forget their own failings, they observe the weaknesses of some and make them a subject of reproach.

St. John Chrysostom: You will not easily find anyone, whether a head of a household or a resident of a monastery, free from this error. But these are the schemes of the tempter, for the one who severely scrutinizes the faults of others will never be acquitted for his own. Therefore, it follows, And you will not be judged. For just as the merciful and meek person dispels the rage of sinners, so the harsh and cruel person adds to his own crimes.

Gregory of Nyssa: Do not be rash, then, in judging your servants harshly, so that you do not suffer the same. For passing judgment calls down a heavier condemnation, as it follows, Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. For He does not forbid judgment that includes pardon.

The Venerable Bede: Now, in a short sentence, He concisely sums up all that He had commanded regarding our conduct toward our enemies, saying, Forgive, and you will be forgiven. In this, He bids us to forgive injuries and show kindness, and our sins will be forgiven, and we will receive eternal life.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: He then explains that we will receive a more abundant reward from God, who gives bountifully to those who love Him, as follows: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they give into your lap.

Theophylact of Ohrid: It is as if He says: Just as when you wish to measure flour without holding back, you press it down, shake it together, and let it pour over abundantly, so the Lord will give a large and overflowing measure into your lap.

St. Augustine of Hippo: But He says, will they give, because it is through the merits of those to whom they have given even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple that they will be considered worthy to receive a heavenly reward. It follows, For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured to you again.

St. Basil the Great: For according to the same measure with which each one of you measures—that is, in doing good works or in sinning—he will receive reward or punishment.

Theophylact of Ohrid: But someone will ask the subtle question: “If the return is so abundant, how is it the ‘same measure’?” To this we answer that He did not say, “In just as great a measure it will be measured to you again,” but “in the same measure.” The one who has shown mercy will have mercy shown to him, and this is a “measuring again with the same measure.” But our Lord spoke of the measure “running over” because to such a person He will show mercy a thousand times over. This is also true in judging, for he who judges and is later judged receives the “same measure.” But the measure was “running over” in the sense that he was judged more severely for having judged someone like himself.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: But the Apostle explains this when he says, He who sows sparingly (that is, scantily and with a stingy hand) will also reap sparingly (that is, not abundantly), and he who sows blessings will also reap blessings (that is, bountifully). But if a person does not have the means and therefore does not perform the act, he is not guilty. For a person is accepted for what he has, not for what he does not have.