Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
Verse Takeaways
1
God's Exclusive Role
Commentators unanimously affirm that this verse establishes God as the one and only Lawgiver and Judge in spiritual matters. When a Christian harshly judges a fellow believer's motives or standing with God, they are usurping a role that belongs to God alone. The question, "who are you?" is a sharp, rhetorical reminder of our place as created beings, not the Creator.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
James
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
8
18th Century
Presbyterian
There is one lawgiver. There is only one who has a right to give law. The reference here is undoubtedly to the Lord Jesus Christ, the grea…
One only (εις). No "only" in the Greek, but εις here excludes all others but God.
The lawgiver (ο νομοθετη…
19th Century
Anglican
There is one lawgiver...—A better rendering is: One is the Lawgiver and Judge, Who is able to save and to destroy: but you
Consider supporting our work
Baptist
We are all too apt to say what we will do, and where we will go, forgetting to add, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.…
In passing judgment, this critic of a fellow-Christian has usurped a position of authority that is reserved for God alone. God is the “one Lawgiver…
16th Century
Protestant
There is one lawgiver. Now he connects the power of saving and destroying with the office of a lawgiver; he suggests that the whole majest…
Get curated content & updates
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
There is one lawgiver The Alexandrian copy, and others, and the Syriac, Ethiopic, and Vulgate Latin versions, add, "and judge"…
Our lips must be governed by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. Christians are brothers and sisters. And to break God's commands is…
