Spiritual Eye Rolling
“Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5.9
“Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5.9
A modern-day term similar to this imperative, which raises nearly as much ire is “whatever.” Isn’t that something that really gets your dander up? The word “grudge” translates the Greek word “stenázō” and occurs six times in the New Testament. It is a word that means “to groan” and is translated as grief (Hebrews 13.17), groan (Romans 8.23; II Corinthians 5.2, 4), grudge (James 5.9), and sighed (Mark 7.34). Groaning suggests an act that is impersonal and apathetic suggesting that the individual would rather not get involved. It is a “leave me alone” sentiment The verb is an imperative – offering a command not to allow this type of spirit to enter into the believer’s life.
Along with the conditional negative “not” (Greek “me”), the intent is to show attitudes that should not occur. It is also suggestive of “murmur not” or “grumble not.” The Greek is literally, “groan”: a half-suppressed murmur of impatience and harsh judgment, not uttered aloud or freely. Having exhorted them to patience in bearing wrongs from the wicked, he now exhorts them to a forbearing spirit as to the offenses given by brethren. Christians, who bear the former patiently, sometimes are impatient at the latter, though much less grievous. (JFB) An exceptionally irritating illustration would be the Mom giving instructions to her teenager only to have the youth roll her eyes at her Mom.
One of the quickest ways to bring down the wrath of a vigilant Mom or Dad is to roll one’s eyes, to shrug, or to grunt. Furthermore, standing in the door watching all of the proceedings with minute scrutiny is the Judge of all creation. It seems that James draws from the words of our Savior when He enjoined His listeners: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7.1, 2)
James uses the imperative injunction, “Behold!” (idou – Look!) The Judge (kritḗs – “He who decides”) is always standing (hístēmi – imperfect, active, indicative indicating continuing action) at the doorway observing and forming His verdict – ready to enter and pass sentence.
He watches the eyes roll and the shoulders shrug and He hears the moans and groans of those who do not surrender willingly to His authority. He senses the attitudes of those who fail to submit.
Looking forward to the coming of the Lord will therefore be a guarantee that we do not trouble one another, but on the contrary encourage and comfort one another with the view to that coming. How easily it occurs that we grumble to one another about the injustice we suffer. When we grumble to each other we quickly say things that are not appropriate or that are even untrue. It is possible that we accuse those who make our life difficult of much more than they in fact do. It is even possible that we blame God for our difficulties. We will then be judged for that at the coming of Him Who is in the doorway ready to come as Judge.
The coming of the Lord is more than a comforting event through which there comes an end to all injustice that is done to us. The coming of the Lord is also an event in which each person, you and I included, will have to give account of himself. (II Corinthians 5.10)
Along with the conditional negative “not” (Greek “me”), the intent is to show attitudes that should not occur. It is also suggestive of “murmur not” or “grumble not.” The Greek is literally, “groan”: a half-suppressed murmur of impatience and harsh judgment, not uttered aloud or freely. Having exhorted them to patience in bearing wrongs from the wicked, he now exhorts them to a forbearing spirit as to the offenses given by brethren. Christians, who bear the former patiently, sometimes are impatient at the latter, though much less grievous. (JFB) An exceptionally irritating illustration would be the Mom giving instructions to her teenager only to have the youth roll her eyes at her Mom.
One of the quickest ways to bring down the wrath of a vigilant Mom or Dad is to roll one’s eyes, to shrug, or to grunt. Furthermore, standing in the door watching all of the proceedings with minute scrutiny is the Judge of all creation. It seems that James draws from the words of our Savior when He enjoined His listeners: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7.1, 2)
James uses the imperative injunction, “Behold!” (idou – Look!) The Judge (kritḗs – “He who decides”) is always standing (hístēmi – imperfect, active, indicative indicating continuing action) at the doorway observing and forming His verdict – ready to enter and pass sentence.
He watches the eyes roll and the shoulders shrug and He hears the moans and groans of those who do not surrender willingly to His authority. He senses the attitudes of those who fail to submit.
Looking forward to the coming of the Lord will therefore be a guarantee that we do not trouble one another, but on the contrary encourage and comfort one another with the view to that coming. How easily it occurs that we grumble to one another about the injustice we suffer. When we grumble to each other we quickly say things that are not appropriate or that are even untrue. It is possible that we accuse those who make our life difficult of much more than they in fact do. It is even possible that we blame God for our difficulties. We will then be judged for that at the coming of Him Who is in the doorway ready to come as Judge.
The coming of the Lord is more than a comforting event through which there comes an end to all injustice that is done to us. The coming of the Lord is also an event in which each person, you and I included, will have to give account of himself. (II Corinthians 5.10)
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