The judge stands before the door

Compare these two verses:

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses. ³Therefore do and observe everything that they tell you, but do not do their deeds, for they tell and do not do
Jesus Christ, Matthew 23:2-3

“woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you shut the kingdom of heaven before people! For you do not enter, nor permit those wanting to go in to enter.
Jesus Christ, Matthew 23:13

The two verses are from the same passage in the chapter of Matthew 23. Jesus is saying that the scribes and Pharisees are the official experts in the law of God, but that although their judgements are sound, the way they are living does not produce the outcome of salvation. We can learn a lot from this passage, especially as it relates to the likes of Matthew 7:1-2:

“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. ²For by what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and by what measure you measure out, it will be measured out to you.
Jesus Christ, Matthew 7:1-2

Does it mean that a Christian should not be making judgments? .. does it mean that a Christian should allow everything to happen around them without any objection? If that were the intention, how on earth could we fulfil John 20:23, or Matthew 18:18, or Galatians 6:1 or 1 Timothy 5:20?

Of course there is a rightful place for judgment in a Christian’s life, but there also is an aspect of judgment that doesn’t belong to us. It is the aspect of enforcement (penalty/punishment) that doesn’t belong to a Christian.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has punishment …
St. John, 1 John 4:18

The type of judgment that belongs to a Christian is that pertaining to wisdom. People were coming from all over to hear Jesus teach because His words were so full of truth and grace, they were learning to understand life in a way they had never known before.

Now someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!” ¹⁴But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
Jesus Christ, Luke 12:13-14

Wisdom in teaching requires intellectual honesty – integrity to the truth in spite of the costs. This is what had distinguished Jesus from the other teachers (Mark 12:14-17, Mark 1:22, Matthew 21:15-16). Jesus had an authority in His faith that came from a sincere conviction of His knowledge of the truth – that is quite a different origin of authority than that which is derived by qualification:

I do not receive glory from men; ⁴²but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. ⁴³I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. ⁴⁴How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?
Jesus Christ, John 5:41-44

Jesus is not the only one who has had this type of faith. We see that John the Baptist had a certain authority in his faith (Mark 1:7, Matthew 11:11), owed to his knowledge of the truth (Luke 1:65-66, John 1:23, Matthew 11:14).

Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; ⁶and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.⁷But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; ⁹and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. ¹⁰The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
John the Baptist, Matthew 3:4-10

Who else? Look at what Paul has said:

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
St. Paul. Galatians 2:11

That man, Cephas, is in fact Simon Peter – one of the twelve disciples and one who might have been the most enthusiastic (John 18:10, Matthew 26:33-35, Matthew 16:15-18).

St. Paul was, on the other hand, an apostle who wore the honour of being the least of all (1 Corinthians 15:9).

Have you ever been in a position where you witnessed an elder of your church, or even the pastor, discriminating against and ostracising a certain type of person in the church?

Naturally, we are inclined to think it takes a special kind of courage to correct someone who has a greater reputation, but I am inclined to ask why.

Why does it take courage to approach someone who is greater when they are clearly in the wrong? It is because we are afraid of a wrathful response when their sin is exposed.

Who is a person that ever wants to be seen naked and exposed in their sinfulness? (Revelation 16:15). No, it isn’t “nobody”, even if that’s the last thing you’d expect.

In fact, Jesus tells us about a type of person who thrives on conviction:

But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Jesus Christ, John 3:21

That’s right. There is a type of person who is not only not afraid of coming forward to the light, but they are in fact attracted to the light so that their deeds can be proven as being wrought with a good conscience (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5). Those are the ones who are practicing the truth. They are the ones who keep making decisions in line with their conscience. They are the ones who do not stand condemned (Romans 8:1).

But here we see in Galatians 2:11 that Simon Peter, the one whom Jesus had called blessed, is standing condemned!

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, ²⁰let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20

There must have been something uniquely Christ-like in both Paul’s approach and Peter’s response. There really must have been godly love. Nobody who is caught in sin will confess their fault unless they also trust the one who is bringing their deeds to light, and how can a person trust the one who is judging them if they have never seen judgment with mercy?

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
St. Paul, Colossians 4:6

Therefore if we are doing the work of reproving and restoring the lost with grace, through teaching the ways of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then we are dealing in mercy rather than judgment. We are inspiring them to trust in repentance, which produces lawfulness from the natural volition of love (James 2:13, James 3:13, Galatians 5:22-23).

On the other hand, if we are judging a person so as to make them feel inadequate for their sinfulness, we are tempting their pride and reinforcing the condemnation that comes against a person who is found to be in opposition to the truth.

but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
St. James, James 4:11-12

Can you answer St. James’ rhetorical question?

Who are you when you are the one who judges your neighbour? See this:

behold, the Judge is standing before the door.
St. James, James 5:9

for the Law brings about wrath,
St. Paul, Romans 4:15

through the Law comes the knowledge of sin
St. Paul,Romans 3:20

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.
St. Paul, Romans 13:3

The power of a judge, (and in fact the whole purpose of a judge’s role), is to examine whether a person is guilty of breaking a law and then to pronounce their reasoning for having refused to pardon the accused (Matthew 7:1, James 2:13). Judgement comes only from a heart that desires to condemn.

The energy that propels a person to judge is of the essence of hate and wrath (Ephesians 2:3, Hebrews 12:9-10). When the condemnation is for sin, the penalty is everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
St. John, 1 John 3:15

On the other hand, love produces natural concern and a desire to teach a sinner how to avoid condemnation (Luke 6:34-37, John 15:13).

Therefore be patient, brethren, strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain against one another so that you also may be not judged (James 2:13). Behold: the place where the judge stands is before the door!
St. James, James 5:9

Genesis 3:24 (LEB)

SoOr “And” he drove the man out, and placed cherubim east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming, turning sword“a flame of the sword which was turning” to guard the way to the tree of life.24SoOr “And” he drove the man out, and placed cherubim east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming, turning sword“a flame of the sword which was turning” to guard the way to the tree of life.

1 John 4:18 (LEB)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear includes punishment, and the one who is afraid has not been perfected in love.18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear includes punishment, and the one who is afraid has not been perfected in love.

1 John 3:15 (LEB)

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that every murderer does not have eternal life residing in him.15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that every murderer does not have eternal life residing in him.

Matthew 21:15-16 (LEB)

But whenHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children shouting in the temple courtsHere “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant.15But whenHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children shouting in the temple courtsHere “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant.16And they said to him, “Do you hear what these childrenThe word “children” is not in the Greek text but is implied are saying?” So Jesus said to them, “Yes, have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of children and nursing babies you have prepared for yourself praise’?”from Ps 8:216And they said to him, “Do you hear what these childrenThe word “children” is not in the Greek text but is implied are saying?” So Jesus said to them, “Yes, have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of children and nursing babies you have prepared for yourself praise’?”from Ps 8:2

Matthew 26:33-35 (LEB)

But Peter answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!”33But Peter answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!”34Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!”34Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!”35Peter said to him, “Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the disciples said the same thing.35Peter said to him, “Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Matthew 16:15-18 (LEB)

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”16And Simon Peter answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”16And Simon Peter answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”17And Jesus answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal thissupplied from English context to you, but my Father who is in heaven.17And Jesus answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal thissupplied from English context to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it!18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it!

Matthew 23:2-3 (LEB)

saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses.2saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses.3Therefore do and observe everything that they tell you, but do not do as they do,“their deeds” for they tell others to do somethingThe words “others to do something” are not in the Greek text but are implied and do not do it themselves.*The words “it themselves” are not in the Greek text but are implied3Therefore do and observe everything that they tell you, but do not do as they do,“their deeds” for they tell others to do somethingThe words “others to do something” are not in the Greek text but are implied and do not do it themselves.*The words “it themselves” are not in the Greek text but are implied

Matthew 3:4-10 (LEB)

Now John himself had his clothing made from camel’s hair and a belt made of leather around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.4Now John himself had his clothing made from camel’s hair and a belt made of leather around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan were going out to him,5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan were going out to him,6and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as theyHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“confessed”) which is understood as temporal confessed their sins.6and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as theyHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“confessed”) which is understood as temporal confessed their sins.7But when heHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?7But when heHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!9And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!9And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!10Already now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.10Already now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 23:13 (LEB)

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees — hypocrites! — because you shut the kingdom of heaven before people! For you do not enter, nor permit those wanting to go inHere the present tense has been translated as voluntative (“wanting to go in”) to enter.The most important Greek manuscripts omit v. 14, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you devour widows’ houses and for show you pray long prayers! Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.”13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees — hypocrites! — because you shut the kingdom of heaven before people! For you do not enter, nor permit those wanting to go inHere the present tense has been translated as voluntative (“wanting to go in”) to enter.The most important Greek manuscripts omit v. 14, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you devour widows’ houses and for show you pray long prayers! Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.”

Matthew 7:1-2 (LEB)

The Sermon on the Mount: On Judging Others“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.The Sermon on the Mount: On Judging Others“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.2For by what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and by what measure you measure out, it will be measured out to you.2For by what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and by what measure you measure out, it will be measured out to you.

Matthew 18:18 (LEB)

“Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven.18“Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven.

Matthew 11:11 (LEB)

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen one greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.11Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen one greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:14 (LEB)

and if you are willing to accept it,*supplied from English context he is Elijah, the one who is going to come.14and if you are willing to accept it,*supplied from English context he is Elijah, the one who is going to come.

Matthew 7:1 (LEB)

The Sermon on the Mount: On Judging Others“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.The Sermon on the Mount: On Judging Others“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.

Matthew 23 (LEB)

Seven Woes Pronounced on the Scribes and PhariseesThen Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,Seven Woes Pronounced on the Scribes and PhariseesThen Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,

Mark 12:14-17 (LEB)

And when theyHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal came, they said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and you do not care what anyone thinks,“it is not a care to you concerning anyone” because you do not regard the opinion of people“because you do not look at the face of men” but teach the way of God in truth. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”14And when theyHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal came, they said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and you do not care what anyone thinks,“it is not a care to you concerning anyone” because you do not regard the opinion of people“because you do not look at the face of men” but teach the way of God in truth. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”15But because heHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“knew”) which is understood as causal knew their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius so that I can look at it!”*supplied from English context15But because heHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“knew”) which is understood as causal knew their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius so that I can look at it!”*supplied from English context16So they brought one.*supplied from English context And he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” And they said to him, “Caesar’s.”16So they brought one.*supplied from English context And he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” And they said to him, “Caesar’s.”17And Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!” And they were utterly amazed at him.17And Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!” And they were utterly amazed at him.

Mark 1:22 (LEB)

A Man with an Unclean Spirit HealedAnd they were amazed at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like the scribes.22A Man with an Unclean Spirit HealedAnd they were amazed at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

Mark 1:7 (LEB)

And he was preaching, saying, “One who is more powerful than I is coming after me, of whom I am not worthy to bend down andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“bend down”) has been translated as an infinitive untie the strap of his sandals.7And he was preaching, saying, “One who is more powerful than I is coming after me, of whom I am not worthy to bend down andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“bend down”) has been translated as an infinitive untie the strap of his sandals.

Luke 12:13-14 (LEB)

The Parable of the Rich Landowner Who Was a FoolNow someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!”13The Parable of the Rich Landowner Who Was a FoolNow someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!”14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”

Luke 1:65-66 (LEB)

And fear came on all those who lived near them, and in all the hill country of Judea all these events were discussed.65And fear came on all those who lived near them, and in all the hill country of Judea all these events were discussed.66And all those who heard kept these thingssupplied from English context in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be? For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him!”66And all those who heard kept these thingssupplied from English context in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be? For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him!”

Luke 6:34-37 (LEB)

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive back, what kind of credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may get back an equal amount!34And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive back, what kind of credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may get back an equal amount!35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting back nothing, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting back nothing, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful!Some manuscripts have “also is merciful”36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful!Some manuscripts have “also is merciful”37The Sermon on the Plain: On Judging Others“And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned.37The Sermon on the Plain: On Judging Others“And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned.

John 5:41-44 (LEB)

“I do not accept gloryOr “honor” from people,41“I do not accept gloryOr “honor” from people,42but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.42but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.43I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me. If another should come in his own name, you would accept that one!43I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me. If another should come in his own name, you would accept that one!44How are you able to believe, if youHere “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“accept”) which is understood as conditional accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?44How are you able to believe, if youHere “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“accept”) which is understood as conditional accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?

John 20:23 (LEB)

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sinsAn understood repetition of the phrase from earlier in the verse of any, they are retained.”23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sinsAn understood repetition of the phrase from earlier in the verse of any, they are retained.”

John 18:10 (LEB)

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (Now the name of the slave was Malchus.)10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (Now the name of the slave was Malchus.)

John 15:13 (LEB)

No one has greater love than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends.13No one has greater love than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 1:23 (LEB)

He said, “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’from Isa 40:3 just as Isaiah the prophet said.”23He said, “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’from Isa 40:3 just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

John 3:21 (LEB)

But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, in order that his deeds may be revealed, that they are done in God.21But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, in order that his deeds may be revealed, that they are done in God.

Romans 4:15 (LEB)

For the law produces wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.15For the law produces wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

Romans 3:20 (LEB)

For by the works of the law no person will be declared righteous“all flesh will not be declared righteous” before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.20For by the works of the law no person will be declared righteous“all flesh will not be declared righteous” before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Romans 13:3 (LEB)

For rulers are not a cause of terror for a good deed, but for bad conduct. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it,3For rulers are not a cause of terror for a good deed, but for bad conduct. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it,

Romans 8:1 (LEB)

Set Free from the Law of Sin and DeathConsequently, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.Set Free from the Law of Sin and DeathConsequently, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (LEB)

For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.9For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 (LEB)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.23gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 2:11 (LEB)

Paul Confronts Peter at AntiochBut when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was condemned.11Paul Confronts Peter at AntiochBut when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was condemned.

Galatians 6:1 (LEB)

Carry One Another’s BurdensBrothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of humility, looking out for yourself, lest you also be tempted.Carry One Another’s BurdensBrothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of humility, looking out for yourself, lest you also be tempted.

Ephesians 2:3 (LEB)

among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the willOr “desires” of the flesh and of the mind, and we were children of wrathThis phrase is a Semitic idiom which can mean either (1) “children characterized by wrath” or (2) “children destined for wrath” by nature, as also the rest of them were.3among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the willOr “desires” of the flesh and of the mind, and we were children of wrathThis phrase is a Semitic idiom which can mean either (1) “children characterized by wrath” or (2) “children destined for wrath” by nature, as also the rest of them were.

Colossians 4:6 (LEB)

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how it is necessary for you to answer each one.6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how it is necessary for you to answer each one.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (LEB)

But you, brothers, are not in the darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief,4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief,5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (LEB)

and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved.10and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved.11And because of this, God sends them a powerful delusion“a working of deceit” so that they will believe the lie,11And because of this, God sends them a powerful delusion“a working of deceit” so that they will believe the lie,12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.

1 Timothy 5:20 (LEB)

Reprove those who sin in the presence of all, in order that the rest also may experience fear.20Reprove those who sin in the presence of all, in order that the rest also may experience fear.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (LEB)

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,16All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,17in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.17in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 12:9-10 (LEB)

Furthermore, we have had our earthly fathers“the flesh of our fathers” who disciplined us, and we respected them. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live?9Furthermore, we have had our earthly fathers“the flesh of our fathers” who disciplined us, and we respected them. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live?10For they disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed appropriate to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we can have a share in his holiness.10For they disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed appropriate to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we can have a share in his holiness.

James 5:19-20 (LEB)

My brothers, if anyone among you should wander away from the truth and someone turns him back,19My brothers, if anyone among you should wander away from the truth and someone turns him back,20he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that person’s“his,” but in context this refers to the sinner, not the person who turns the sinner back soul from death, and will cover over a great number of sins.20he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that person’s“his,” but in context this refers to the sinner, not the person who turns the sinner back soul from death, and will cover over a great number of sins.

James 4:11-12 (LEB)

Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. The one who speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of the law.The words “of the law” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause11Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. The one who speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of the law.The words “of the law” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause12There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun neighbor?12There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun neighbor?

James 3:13 (LEB)

The Wisdom That Comes Down from AboveWho is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun good behavior his works, with the humility of wisdom.13The Wisdom That Comes Down from AboveWho is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun good behavior his works, with the humility of wisdom.

James 2:13 (LEB)

For judgment is merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.13For judgment is merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 5:9 (LEB)

Brothers, do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the doors!9Brothers, do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the doors!

Revelation 16:15 (LEB)

(Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is on the alert and who keeps his clothing, so that he does not walk around naked and they see his shamefulness!)15(Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is on the alert and who keeps his clothing, so that he does not walk around naked and they see his shamefulness!)

Revelation 2:7 (LEB)

The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.’7The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.’