John Calvin Commentary James 4:12

"One [only] is the lawgiver and judge, [even] he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?" — James 4:12 (ASV)

There is one lawgiver. Now he connects the power of saving and destroying with the office of a lawgiver; he suggests that the whole majesty of God is usurped by those who claim for themselves the right of making a law, and this is what is done by those who impose their own whim or will as a law on others.

Let us remember that the subject here is not civil government, where the edicts and laws of magistrates have their place, but the spiritual government of the soul, where the Word of God alone ought to rule.

There is, then, one God who has consciences rightfully subjected to His own laws, as He alone has in His hand the power to save and to destroy.

Therefore, it becomes clear what we should think of human precepts that cast a snare of necessity on consciences. Some, indeed, would have us show modesty when we call the Pope antichrist, who exercises tyranny over the souls of men, making himself a lawgiver equal to God.

But we learn from this passage something far more: namely, that those who willingly submit to be ensnared in this way are the members of Antichrist. They renounce Christ when they align themselves with a man who is not only mortal but who also exalts himself against Him.

It is, I say, a faithless obedience rendered to the devil when we allow anyone other than God Himself to be a lawgiver to rule our souls.

Who art thou. Some think that people are admonished here to reprove their own vices, so that they might begin to examine themselves. By discovering they were no purer than others, they might then cease to be so severe.

I think, rather, that people are simply reminded of their own condition, so that they may consider how far they fall short of the dignity they assumed. As Paul also says, Who art thou who judgest another? (Romans 14:4).