• James 4:11
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 11 Μὴ Not καταλαλεῖτε be YOU speaking down ἀλλήλων, of one another, ἀδελφοί· brothers; ὁ the (one) καταλαλῶν speaking down ἀδελφοῦ of brother ἢ or κρίνων judging τὸν the ἀδελφὸν brother αὐτοῦ of him καταλαλεῖ he is speaking down νόμου of law καὶ and κρίνει he is judging νόμον· law; εἰ if δὲ but νόμον law κρίνεις, you are judging, οὐκ not εἶ you are ποιητὴς doer νόμου of law ἀλλὰ but κριτής. judge.

  • James 4:11
    The Bible in Living English

    • 11 Do not talk disparagingly of each other, brothers. He who disparages or judges his brother is disparaging and judging the law; and if you judge the law you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

  • James 4:11
    American Standard Version

    • 11 Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

  • James 4:11
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 11 Be not speaking one against another, brethren! He that speaketh against a brother Or judgeth his brother Speaketh against law And judgeth law; Now if upon law thou art passing judgment Thou art not a doer of law but a judge!

  • James 4:11
    King James Version

    • 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

  • James Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:11

      Stop speaking against one another, brothers: The Greek term here rendered “speaking against” means “to speak ill of, speak degradingly of, speak evil of, defame, slander.” In this context, it refers to harsh, often malicious criticism of fellow believers. This Greek term was used in the Septuagint regarding the Israelites who spoke against Moses, who spoke against their brothers, and who slandered their neighbors. (Nu 12:8; Ps 50:20 [49:20, LXX]; 101:5 [100:5, LXX]) Those who speak against others often criticize those who are not present to defend themselves. In fact, Paul and Peter used forms of this Greek term to refer to backbiting and backbiters. (Ro 1:30; 2Co 12:20; 1Pe 2:1) Such critical individuals may have judged their fellow believers’ actions, motives, or manner of living, based on their own standards. They thus downgraded others, perhaps to prove themselves righteous or to exalt themselves.

      speaks against law and judges law: James most likely refers, not to the Mosaic Law, but to God’s law in general. Earlier in his letter, he referred to “the royal law,” the law of love. (Jas 2:8 and study note; Mt 22:36-39 and study note; Ro 13:8-10) Christians who speak maliciously against or judge their fellow believers are at the same time speaking against and judging divine law. They are setting themselves above Jehovah’s law. (Compare Mr 7:1-13.) A Christian who judges a brother whom Jehovah does not judge is, in effect, implying that divine law is inadequate.​—Compare Mt 7:1 and study note; Lu 6:37; Ro 2:1; 14:4.