Comments around Matthew 7:1 by Nevin M. Ranck
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Matthew 7:1-2 "Judge
not, that you be not judged. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matthew 7:1 is misunderstood by many. ONE, we forget that we are to be ambassadors for Christ; representatives of our Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." Being ambassadors requires that we acknowledge the judgments made by God. TWO, there is only one judge; God. James 4:12 - "There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge you neighbor." In other words do NOT act as though you are able to save or destroy. Personal paraphrase of
Matthew 7:1 - Do not put yourself in the
place Matthew 7:1 Amplified Bible - "Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]." It is interesting that in the context of Matthew 7:1-6, the next three verses deals with the beam and the speck. Could it be that the beam in your own eye is really the pride of usurping God's authority? When you take care of the beam in your own eye you will see clearly how to deal with the speck: that's right how to deal with the speck. 1 Corinthians 5:12 - "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" Two considerations for not calling out sin in another person. ONE, the person is not a believer and
therefore the more important task is to water and plant the seed of salvation in
preparation for the work of God. 1 Corinthians 3:6 - "I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is taken from John Gill's commentary - Matthew 7:1 - Judge not, that ye be not judged. This is not to be understood of any sort of judgment; not of judgment in the civil courts of judicature, by proper magistrates, which ought to be made and pass, according to the nature of the case; nor of judgment in the churches of Christ, where offenders are to be called to an account, examined, tried, and dealt with according to the rules of the Gospel; nor of every private judgment, which one man may make upon another, without any detriment to him; but of rash judgment, interpreting men's words and deeds to the worst sense, and censuring them in a very severe manner; even passing sentence on them, with respect to their eternal state and condition. Good is the advice given by the famous Hillell (u), who lived a little before Christ's time; "Do not judge thy neighbour, (says he,) until thou comest into his place.'' It would be well, if persons subject to a censorious spirit, would put themselves in the case and circumstances the persons are in they judge; and then consider, what judgment they would choose others should pass on them. The argument Christ uses to dissuade from this evil, which the Jews were very prone to, is, "that ye be not judged"; meaning, either by men, for such censorious persons rarely have the good will of their fellow creatures, but are commonly repaid in the same way; or else by God, which will be the most awful and tremendous: for such persons take upon them the place of God, usurp his prerogative, as if they knew the hearts and states of men; and therefore will have judgment without mercy at the hands of God. (u) Pirke Abot, c. 2. sect. 4.
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