Equal Opportunity Judgment

 

In this verse, the word “for” (Greek – gar) is a causative particle always standing after one or more words in a clause and expressing the reason for what has been before, affirmed or implied. In other words, it is a connecting word that brings the preceding argument together with the ensuing one. Having expressed the fact that the believer will be judged according to how he either uses or abuses his liberty, James now expresses the “what” and the “why” of the exhortation.

The principle of reciprocal judgment is one of the given principles in God’s Word. Our Lord’s words bear this up in Luke 12.48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Albert Barnes explains: “This is obviously an equitable principle, and is one which is everywhere found in the Bible.” Again, in Proverbs 21.13 this principle is suggested: “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” (Proverbs 21.13)

Barnes further suggests: “The idea which the apostle seems to design to convey here is, that there will certainly be a judgment, and that we must expect that it will be conducted on equitable principles; that no mercy is to be shown when the character is not such that it will be proper that it should be; and that we should habitually feel in our conduct that God will be impartial, and should frame our lives accordingly.”

When we come to the word “therefore” (Greek – oon, “certainly, accordingly, therefore”) in the Bible, we should stop and take some time to see what it’s “there for.” The intent of the word “therefore” is to urge the reader into deeper study of the context of the passage.

Our Lord expressed the sentiment of reciprocal judgment while He was wrapping up His message that we call “The Sermon on the Mount.” In Matthew 7.12, Jesus sums up what He had been preaching by suggesting that all He had said was founded upon a principle, which has come to be known as “The Golden Rule.” “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” I suppose this all could be contained in the adage, “What goes around comes around.” “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6.38)

When we follow this injunction to accomplish good things with regards to other people, there is no guarantee that they will respond in like kind; however, that doesn’t seem to be the point. James adds that “mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” The word “rejoiceth” (katakaucháomai¬ – “to boast or rejoice against”) is a word that carries the connotation of shouting loudly, and, it’s a middle deponent verb indicating a personal action – something the individual personally does from his heart. It really doesn’t matter if you are not openly rewarded for your kindness by the object of your attention. Your boasting, after all, is in the Lord and not in one’s self. He is the One who will reward you.

When I think of that, my mind goes back to the miraculous defeat of Goliath by David. When Goliath was lying face down with a rock stuck in his head, David ran over to him, pulled Goliath’s sword and cut off his head. David’s “rejoicing against” the uncircumcised Philistine was a loud cry of victory for all the Hebrew army. His rejoicing was personal and loud; however, it was rejoicing in God’s deliverance for His people. Goliath was repaid for his trampling of God’s holiness. David was exalted because he was faithful to defending God’s name. He could personally rejoice against judgment because of his personal involvement in doing right.