Ministry of Grace Church

Do not murmur against one another, brothers, that you be not condemned. Behold, the Judge stands before the door!

Truth to Learn

Complaining about other Christians does not please God.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “murmur” is the Greek word stenadzō. This is based on the adjective stenos, meaning “narrow” or “squeezed” as when one is squeezed by circumstances. Hence, stenadzō is the action that results from being squeezed, that is, to “sigh, groan, grumble, or complain.” The idea in James’ use of the word is that of complaining about someone else’s fortunate circumstances or complaining against someone else.

The words “one another” are from allēlōn, meaning “each other, yourselves, or one another.” James’ use of this word, immediately followed by “brothers,” indicates that he is talking about a Christian grumbling against another brother or sister in Christ.

“Condemned” is another of those words we have looked at recently, meaning “to pass judgment down against” or “to condemn.”

The word “stands” is translated from the Greek verb histēmi, meaning “to stand.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the ongoing effect.

 

Meaning Explained

We, as Christians, should never be discontent when a brother or sister receives a blessing from God. Likewise, we should never speak against a brother or sister because of a position they have. Instead, we should rejoice that a child of God has been blessed by the Father.

Nonetheless, our carnal nature is often envious or even jealous of other Christians and we compensate for it by speaking against them. James says that this should not be so. When we do grumble against, or complain about, each other, we are really condemning ourselves. Back in James 4:11, 12 we were told:

Do not speak against one another, brothers. The one speaking against his brother and judging his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you who judging your neighbor?

When we grumble against a brother or sister in Christ, we are usurping the position of judge, which belongs to God and God alone. That’s why James reminds us here that, “the Judge is standing before the door.” In other words, he hears our words and is coming soon, as we were told in the previous verse.

It’s bad enough when an unsaved person speaks against Christians; we should not do likewise. Instead, we should be building up one another, as it says in Hebrews 10:25,

…but encouraging one another; and so much the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

Application

The next time you are tempted to say something negative about a fellow Christian, imagine that Jesus is standing next to you. In the light of His holiness and your sinfulness, are you still willing to say what you were about to regarding your brother or sister in Christ?

Instead of being grumblers and tearing down the body of Christ, let us be encouragers, and build it up!