James 2:12

James 2:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
• New International Version (NIV)Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
• English Standard Version (ESV)So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

Context of James 2:12

10If someone obeys all of God’s laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them. 11After all, the one who said, “Never commit adultery,” is the same one who said, “Never murder.” If you do not commit adultery but you murder, you become a person who disobeys God’s laws. Talk and act as people who are going to be judged by laws that bring freedom. 13No mercy will be shown to those who show no mercy to others. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 14My brothers and sisters, what good does it do if someone claims to have faith but doesn’t do any good things? Can this kind of faith save him?

James 2:12 word by word

οὕτως λαλεῖτε καὶ οὕτως ποιεῖτε ὡς διὰ νόμου ἐλευθερίας μέλλοντες κρίνεσθαι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• speak yeλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• they that shallμέλλωmellō · to ensueG3195
• be judgedκρίνωkrinō · to judgeG2919
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• of libertyἐλευθερίαeleutheria · freedomG1657

Cross-references for James 2:12

• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
• Colossians 3:17Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• 2 Peter 1:4Through his glory and integrity he has given us his promises that are of the highest value. Through these promises you will share in the divine nature because you have escaped the corruption that sinful desires cause in the world.
• James 2:8You are doing right if you obey this law from the highest authority: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
• James 1:25However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say.

Commentaries on James 2:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12So speak ye, and so do - Have respect to every commandment of God, for this the law of liberty - the Gospel of Jesus Christ, particularly requires; and this is the law by which all mankind, who have had the opportunity of knowing it, shall be judged. But all along St. James particularly refers to the precept, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty - On the phrase, “the law of liberty,” see the notes at James 1:25. Compare the notes at James 4:11. The meaning is, that in all our conduct we are to act under the constant impression of the truth that we are soon to be brought into judgment, and that the law by which we are to be judged is that by which it is contemplated that we shall be set free from the dominion of sin. In the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The law that gives freedom from the power of sin (see 1:25 and corresponding study note). It promotes endurance and grow towards perfection (1:3–4).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Summing up of the previous reasonings. speak--referring back to Jas 1:19, 26; the fuller discussion of the topic is given Jas 3:5-12. judged by the law of liberty--(Jas 1:25); that is, the Gospel law of love, which is not a law of external constraint, but of internal, free, instinctive inclination. The law of liberty, through God's mercy, frees us from the curse of the law, that henceforth we should be free to love and obey willingly. If we will not…Read the comment

Topics related to James 2:12

• Commandments
• Faith
• Judgment
• Obedience
• Religion

In the dictionaries

• Convince
• Dead
• Draw
• Justify
• Offend
• Respect
• Rich
• Sister
• Romans, Epistle to the

Commentaries on James 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings