Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 2:12

"So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty." — James 2:12 (ASV)

The section (2:1–13) concludes with an urgent exhortation and a warning (vv.12–13). The commands “Speak and act” are stronger in the Greek text than in the English. Literally, James says, “So speak and so act.” The double “so” serves to distribute the emphasis equally between the two verbs. James would have his readers continue to speak and act in light of the fact that they “are going to be judged.” Since he is speaking to believers, the judgment to which he refers must be their judgment at “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). The standard of judgment will be “the law that gives freedom,” not the enslaving legalistic system developed by some of the scribes and Pharisees. It is the royal law of love (v.8), which the believer is enabled to keep by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22– 23).