John Calvin 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, or, groan not. As the complaints of many were heard that they were more severely treated than others, some explain this passage as though James instructed each person to be content with their own lot, not to envy others, nor to grudge if the condition of others was more tolerable.

But I take another view. After speaking of the unhappiness of those who distress good and quiet people by their tyranny, he now exhorts the faithful to be just towards one another and ready to overlook offenses. That this is the real meaning may be gathered from the reason that is added: Do not be complaining against one another; lest you be condemned.

We may, indeed, groan when any evil torments us, but he means an accusing groan, when one protests to the Lord against another. And he declares that in this way they would all be condemned, because there is no one who does not offend their fellow believers and give them reason to groan. Now, if everyone complained, they would all have accused one another, for no one was so innocent that they did not do some harm to others.

God will be the common judge of all. What then will happen, except that everyone who seeks to bring judgment on others must accept the same judgment against themselves? And so, all will be given up to the same ruin. Therefore, let no one ask for vengeance on others, unless they wish to bring it on their own head.

And so that they would not be hasty in making complaints of this kind, he declares that the judge is at the door. For as it is our propensity to profane the name of God, in the slightest offenses we appeal to his judgment. Nothing is a more fitting bridle to check our rashness than to consider that our curses do not vanish into thin air, because God’s judgment is at hand.