Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

James 4:12

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 12 There is only one who is Lawgiver and Judge,+ the one who is able to save and to destroy.+ But you, who are you to be judging your neighbor?+

James 4:12

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 12 εἷς One ἔστιν is νομοθέτης law-putter καὶ and κριτής, judge, ὁ the (one) δυνάμενος being able σῶσαι to save καὶ and ἀπολέσαι· to destroy; σὺ you δὲ but τίς who εἶ, are you, ὁ the (one) κρίνων judging τὸν the πλησίον; neighbor?

James 4:12

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 12 One there is that is lawgiver and judge,+ he who is able to save and to destroy.+ But you, who are you to be judging [your] neighbor?+

James 4:12

The Bible in Living English
- 12 There is one lawgiver and judge, he who can save and can destroy; but who are you, you who judge your neighbor?

James 4:12

American Standard Version
- 12 One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

James 4:12

The Emphasized Bible
- 12 One is Lawgiver and Judge—He who hath power to save and to destroy; But who art thou that judgest thy neighbour?

James 4:12

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

James Study Notes—Chapter 4

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 4:12
  
  There is only one who is Lawgiver and Judge: Christians who speak against their fellow believers make themselves lawgivers by setting their own standards of conduct for their fellow believers. They also take it upon themselves to pronounce harsh judgments on them. (See study note on Jas 4:11.) They fail to realize that the only rightful Lawgiver and Judge is Jehovah God. (Isa 33:22; 1Co 4:4 and study note) Only Jehovah has the ultimate authority to save and to destroy, that is, to grant the highest rewards and to inflict the severest punishments. (2Th 1:6-9; Jude 14, 15; see study note on Mt 10:28.) James’ pointed question “Who are you to be judging your neighbor?” shows how presumptuous it is to judge and condemn others.—Mt 7:1-5; Lu 6:37; see study note on Ro 14:4.