John Calvin Commentary Matthew 7:1

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." — Matthew 7:1 (ASV)

Judge not. These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging, but are intended to cure a disease that appears to be natural to us all. We see how everyone flatters themselves, and each person passes severe censure on others. This vice is attended by a strange enjoyment, for there is hardly anyone who is not intrigued by the desire to inquire into other people’s faults.

Indeed, all acknowledge that it is an intolerable evil when those who overlook their own vices are so harsh towards their brothers. The pagans, too, in ancient times, condemned it in many proverbs. Yet it has existed in all ages and still exists today. Moreover, it is accompanied by another and a worse plague, for most people think that by condemning others, they acquire a greater freedom to sin.

This depraved eagerness for biting, censuring, and slandering is restrained by Christ when He says, Judge not. It is not necessary that believers should become blind and perceive nothing, but only that they should refrain from an undue eagerness to judge: for otherwise, the proper bounds of rigor will be exceeded by anyone who desires to pass sentence on his brothers. There is a similar expression in the Apostle James: Be not many masters, (James 3:1). For he does not discourage or withdraw believers from discharging the office of teachers but forbids them to desire honor from motives of ambition. To judge, therefore, means here to be influenced by curiosity in inquiring into the actions of others. This disease, first, continually brings with it the injustice of condemning any trivial fault as if it were a very heinous crime; and second, it breaks out into the insolent presumption of looking disdainfully at every action and passing an unfavourable judgment on it, even when it might be viewed in a good light.

We now see that Christ’s design was to guard us against indulging excessive eagerness, peevishness, malignity, or even curiosity in judging our neighbors. He who judges according to the word and law of the Lord, and forms his judgment by the rule of charity, always begins by examining himself and preserves a proper balance and order in his judgments. Hence it is evident that this passage is altogether misapplied by those who would desire to make the moderation Christ recommends a pretence for setting aside all distinction between good and evil. We are not only permitted but are even bound to condemn all sins, unless we choose to rebel against God Himself—indeed, to repeal His laws, reverse His decisions, and overturn His judgment seat. It is His will that we should proclaim the sentence He pronounces on human actions; only we must preserve such modesty towards each other as to make it clear that He is the only Lawgiver and Judge (Isaiah 33:22).

That you may not be judged. He denounces a punishment against those severe judges who take so much delight in sifting the faults of others. They will not be treated by others with greater kindness but will, in turn, experience the same severity they had exercised towards others. As nothing is dearer or more valuable to us than our reputation, so nothing is more bitter than to be condemned or exposed to public reproach and infamy.

And yet, it is by our own fault that we draw upon ourselves that very thing which our nature so strongly detests. For who among us does not examine too severely the actions of others, manifest undue rage against slight offenses, or peevishly censure what was, in itself, indifferent? And what is this but deliberately provoking God, as our avenger, to treat us in the same manner?

Now, although it is a just judgment of God that those who have judged others should be punished in their turn, the Lord executes this punishment through human agency. Chrysostom and others limit this statement to the present life, but that is a forced interpretation. Isaiah threatens (Isaiah 33:1) that those who have spoiled others shall be spoiled. Similarly, our Lord means that there will be no lack of executioners to punish the injustice and slander of people with equal bitterness or severity. And if people fail to receive punishment in this world, those who have shown undue eagerness in condemning their brothers will not escape the judgment of God.