Questions and Answers

Q: What is meant by the Lord’s statement, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” (Matthew 7:1)? A: It is clear that Jesus did not intend to forbid judgments of all kinds, because he said in John 7:24: “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (1) Judgments issuing from civil courts, when not in violation of God’s higher laws, are to be accepted (Rom. 12:1ff). (2) As a tree is known by its fruit (Matt. 3:16-20), so do we judge of the character of men by their conduct (1 Cor. 6:2). John, an inspired apostle, judged an evil man in the church, Diotrephes (3 John 9), and Paul admonished Titus to “refuse” (margin, avoid), “knowing that such a one…sinneth…” (Titus 3:10,11). (3) It is the duty of the church to withdraw from those who “walk disorderly” (2 Thes. 3:6-12); and this, of course, requires passing judgment upon the conduct; and disposition, of the person, or persons involved (Rom. 16:17). There are occasions when it is necessary, for the good of the brotherhood, to speak out boldly and positively against men and movements, in the church, which threaten its peace and its purity (1 Tim. 1:3, 4, 18-20; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 4:14, 15). To fail to do this, when the Cause we love is beset by those who would destroy it, is to become derelict in duty and faithless to our trust. Paul positively declared that we “judge” them that are within – that is, within the church (1 Cor. 5:12), an action requiring an appraisal of the character and conduct of those particularly involved. When Jesus said, “Judge not,” he forbade unkind, unjustified and improper censure resulting from hasty and superficial investigation, and without regard for the well0being of the person, or persons, criticized. Jesus warned, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you” (Matt. 7:2). People who are kind and forgiving toward others usually experience tolerance from others themselves; those who are harsh, censorious and critical toward others find that others exhibit much the same disposition toward them.