James 4:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 27
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
7 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
11 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
14 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
17 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
20 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
25 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
Cross References
1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,Romans 2:1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.James 5:9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.Psalms 140:11Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.Luke 6:37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.Ephesians 4:31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:2 Timothy 3:3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,1 Timothy 3:11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Historical Context
Diaspora believers, marginalized, may have turned frustrations inward through slander. James addresses this, echoing Leviticus 19:16. Paul's warnings against biting and devouring (Galatians 5:15) parallel this call.
Questions for Reflection
- Where might you be judging the law by slandering others?
- How can you address concerns without gossip?
- Who needs to hear words of encouragement instead of critique?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Do not speak evil (katalaleite, καταλαλεῖτε) of one another. He who speaks against a brother judges (krineis, κρίνεις) the law and becomes a judge rather than a doer. Slander usurps God's role and despises His royal law of love.
Reformed ethics emphasize mutual edification. James insists that tongues, previously addressed, must not tear down the body under guise of discernment.