James 4:12 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

There is one lawgiver. 'Aleph (') A B, Vulgate, 'and judge' х ho (G3588) nomothetees (G3550) kai (G2532) kritees (G2923)], 'There is one (alone) who is (at once) Lawgiver and Judge; (namely), He who is able to save and destroy.' God alone is Lawgiver, and therefore Judge, since it is He alone who can execute His judgments: our inability in this shows our presumption in trying to be judges.

Who art thou ... The order is emphatic 'But (in 'Aleph (') A B, Vulgate) thou, who art thou that,' etc. How rashly arrogant in judging thy fellows, and wresting from God the office which belongs to Him over thee and THEM alike.

Another. 'Aleph (') A B, Vulgate, read 'thy neighbour.'

James 4:12

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?