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"Judge" and "Judge not"
Author: Jeff Wheatley
© 2000-2001 Erasmus
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The alledged problem:
There is a verse in the Bible where Jesus
says to "Judge not, so that you will not be judged" (Mat.7:1). There
is also a verse which says, "You are to judge your neigbor fairly" (Leviticus
19:15). And again Paul says, "for I... have already judged him who
has so committed this, as though I were present" (I Cor. 5:3). Many
Christians and non-Christians alike find the co-existence of these verses
very confusing and many finally decide to take the easier path by affirming
only one or the other. There is, however, no true contradiction here.
The judgement question is not a paradox. This is an example of both
the complexity of life and relationships, and the confusion which can occur
by taking statements out of context. We need only go into the remainder
of Jesus' discourse on the subject to see that his philosophy is not in
conflict with either the Old Testament or the actions of Paul (in I Corinthians).
What did Jesus say?
First, let's look at Jesus' discussion on
the subject (Matt 7). "Do not judge, so that you will not be judged"
(v.1) is simply the beginning, and He goes on to say "for in the way you
judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be
measured to you" (v.2) In general, why should we not judge?
Because we will not only be judged by the same standard, but also that
we are hypocrites if we currently have a plank in our own eye (we have
a glaring problem of a similar nature). But then He goes on to say
that we should, "...first take the plank out of your own eye, and then
you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (v.5)
In other words, we are commanded by the same person who said "judge not"
to go ahead and help others correct their problems. He then leads shortly
into the golden rule: "Therefore, however you want people to treat you,
so treat them" (v.12). The final point I want to bring out is that
He then follows this with an exhortation to live properly, and also to
"Beware of the false prophets...(v.15) you will know them by their fruits
(v.20) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy
in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform
many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart
from me, you who practice lawlessness.' " (v.22-23) So, not only
does He say that we are to know them by their fruits, but the flashier
fruits of even miracles and casting out of demons is not good enough to
overcome the fact that these people had missed the whole point of Jesus'
ministry.
To summarize this look at Jesus, it
is possible He is being sarchastic here by saying that we should not judge,
in order that we may avoid being judged ourselves. It is a challenge of
sorts; Only begin on this road if you are willing to first judge yourself.
But in addition to this, we are told to identify people with problems in
their lives, to identify those problems, and to help them. We are
also told to identify people who are giving false teachings, and to avoid
them. In this sense we are to judge others, but at all times, we
are to judge others as you would want them to judge us; "fairly", as stated
in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:15).
What did the Old Testament say?
The Leviticus statement is that judgement
should be done fairly. We must remember that the book of Leviticus
is the book of religious regulations for the Jews. If you read all
of chapter 19, you will see that this is to be read to the whole of Israel,
and that this statement (v.15) is for all to hear. Now, I am no Old
Testament scholar, but I would bet that the judgement referred to here
is referring primarily to any sort of legal or business judgement, but
nothing implies that it would exclude any type of judgement in personal
relationships. In whatever way we judge, whether legal, business,
or personal, it is all to be done without injustice; "...you shall not
be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your
neighbor fairly." This cannot be more clear. Whenever judging
is to be done, it is to be done fairly.
What was Paul doing?
Now as we look at what Paul is saying in
I Corinthians 5, what is he trying to accomplish as he deals with this
situation? It is apparent from the original language that the description
of the problem is not a past event. It is most likely a current,
ongoing activity. In addition, the reaction of the church was one
of either pride or arrogance (v.2) depending on which translation you read.
The original wording means "having been puffed up" which could imply either
attitude. These are the two reasons for Paul's strong assertions.
It is a lack of admission of the problem by both parties which he sees
as the greatest threat. If someone is living in sin, and is not willing
to admit the fact, and is remaining in the Church, there is great danger
of others being influenced to either overlook the problem or to even justify
it's continuance. For these reasons, Paul sees that the best course
of action is to "remove the wicked man from among yourselves"(v.13).
This is not just to show the sinner that their actions will not be accepted,
but also to begin to repair the damage within the church because of their
improper attitude in regards to this situation. Just as Jesus calls
these people wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15), Paul works to defend
the flock because they have already accepted the Wolf as one of their own.
So, would Jesus object to Paul's
actions?
Jesus said that, "...in the way you judge,
you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured
to you." Paul is judging for the defense of the church involved.
He is also working for the betterment of the individual. He has the
best interests in mind of all who are involved. He would not have
a problem with someone else judging him in this way. I think Jesus
would agree with him.
Jesus said to the hypocrite, "first
take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take
the speck out of your brother's eye." Paul is in no way being hypocritical.
No accusation has ever surfaced to accuse Paul of sexual misconduct.
He has no plank in his eye, and is helping to remove the large specks from
the eyes of thos in his church. I think Jesus would agree with him.
Jesus said, "however you want people
to treat you, so treat them." Paul is holding them accountable to
the biblical standard of activity in regards to marriage and sexual conduct.
He is not letting them take a gift from God and misuse it. I think
Jesus would agree with him.
Jesus said, "You will know them by their
fruits." Paul is helping to produce a church which overcomes their
tendency to sin. His efforts helped to grow the early Church, and
his writings have been accepted by the Historical Christian Church as divinely
inspired for nearly twenty centuries. I think Jesus would agree with
him.
Jesus said, "...everyone who hears these
words of mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man..."
Paul greatly desires that his church would not live foolishly. He
constantly encourages them to turn from their past sins and to be "transformed
into His (the Lord's) likeness with ever-increasing glory." (2 Cor 3:18)
I think Jesus would agree with him.
Conclusion
Jesus' exhortation, "do not judge" cannot
be taken as a self contained statement. It must be seen in the light
of the remainder of this passage and also in the light of Jesus whole life.
This statement cannot mean than we should not ever say that someone is
acting improperly. It also cannot mean that we should not ever try
to stop someone from improper action. Jesus' whole life rules out
these possibilities. This is in no way inconsistant with either the
Old Testament (Leviticus 19:15) or with Paul's letters (1 Corinthians 5).
We are to judge fairly, and without partiality. We are to recognize
people who are sinning or who have problems, and to reach out to them and
help them to change. We are to follow Paul's example and not allow
the Church to tolerate persistant sinful behavior. We are to judge
each other with compassion and love, just as we would want someone else
to do for us. We are to uphold the standard, and to not allow good
to be spoken of as evil (or the reverse). Above all, we are
to reach out in love to those whom God loves... (everyone).
What do YOU think?
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