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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.

Context of James 2:12

10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

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, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
• Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• 2 Peter 1:4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
• James 2:8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
• James 1:25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

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