Quick Devotional from Matthew 7:1 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading some time ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Matthew 7:1.  Here is my translation:

“Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε· ”
Do not judge in order that you not be judged

Here are some observations:

 

1. In the context this is Jesus is speaking.  His speech here is part of the Sermon on the Mount.
2. Jesus gives a prohibition here: “Do not judge ”
   1. To communicate the prohibition here the verse states a negative particle Μὴ that is used for non-indicative verbs followed by a present tense imperative verb.
   2. Note the verb is second person plural showing this is something many who listen to Jesus are called not to do.
   3. The active voice indicate this is something the subjects are actively doing; and the prohibition is saying the subjects ought not to do this.
   4. This verb means  to “pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong” (Source) and here 
3. What should be one of the motivation we shouldn’t judge others?  The Greek conjunction ἵνα here indicates Jesus is giving us one reason.
4. The reason? “you not be judged”
   1. The second person plural subject for the verb is the same as the previous clause: those whom Jesus is addressing.
   2. Note the verb for judged is passive voice, showing this is something done to the subjects.  This is contrast to the prohibition earlier of what the subjects are not to do actively.
   3. Why we don’t judge is not to be  judged.  But who is doing the judging here?  I think in the context Jesus is referring to being judged by other human beings.
   4. Why do I think this refer to not being judged by other human beings? Note verse 3-5 Jesus explains with examples of human to human relations and judgment.
   5. Also this passive should not be seen as a Divine Passive in which Jesus is saying don’t judge so God does not judge sinners.  Even if we don’t commit the sins of having a judgmental spirit we still have other sins that God as righteous Judge is obligated to call us into account for; only way to escape judgment of God is trusting in Jesus.  

Application:

• Sometimes the quickest way to judge wrongfully is to judge too quickly; beware of that and try to figure out things of what is truly going on before making a sinful judgment that is base of inaccuracies, omission of key truths, and even downright lies.
• Also beware of letting one’s emotion lead one’s judgment.  In an age of social media sometimes it might be best to slow down with a content that fires one up and make sure one knows its true first.
• I think one should be as charitable as possible in interpreting others rather than judge their intention in the worst possible light.
• Do we need to confess any sins of sinful judgment of others?  Confess to God today.  If you need to apologize to others in person, go do it, prayerfully.
• This passage isn’t telling us there is no place for no Christian discernment of right and wrong; that would be abuse of the verse in context which talks about hypocritical judgment.  Pray for wisdom to know the difference.
• Pray to God to see people and things from God’s perspective.  Then pick up the Bible and study it to see things rightly with a biblically informed view of human nature, human roles, sin, God and creation.  But more importantly: The Gospel of how Christ saves sinners who trust in Jesus as Savior who lived a perfect life, died on the Cross as a substitutionary sacrifice and raise from the dead to show the Church His Saving grace is true, we can trust in Him to save!

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