James 2 · Verse 12

James 2:12

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:12, King James Version

James 2:12 in other translations

BSB	Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.
WEB	So speak and so do as men who are to be judged by the law of freedom.
ASV	So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.
YLT	so speak ye and so do, as about by a law of liberty to be judged,
DARBY	So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by the law of liberty;
BBE	Let your words and your acts be those of men who are to be judged by the law which makes free.
Webster	So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

What does James 2:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

12. 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 in turn practice the law of love to our neighbor, that law of grace condemns us still more heavily than the old law, which spake nothing but wrath to him who offended in the least particular (Jas 2:13). Compare Mt 18:32-35; Joh 12:48; Re 6:16, "Wrath of the (merciful) Lamb."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 12. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. On the phrase, "the law of liberty," Jas 1:26; and Jas 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 rule which God has laid down in his word, called "the law of liberty," or the rule by which true freedom is to be secured, a system of religion is revealed by which it is designed that man shall be emancipated not only from one sin, but from all. Now, it is with reference to such a law that we are to be judged; that is, we shall not be able to plead on our trial that we were under a necessity of sinning, but we shall be judged under that law by which the arrangement was made that we might be free from sin. If we might be free from sin; if an arrangement was made by which we could have led holy lives, then it will be proper that we shall be judged and condemned if we are not righteous. The sense is, "In all your conduct, whatever you do or say, remember that you are to be judged, or that you are to give an impartial account; and remember also that the rule by which you are to be judged is that by which provision is made for being delivered from the dominion of sin, and brought into the freedom of the gospel." The argument here seems to be, that he who habitually feels that he is soon to be judged by a law under which it was contemplated that he might be, and should be, free from the bondage of sin, has one of the strongest of all inducements to lead a holy life.

(a) "law of liberty" Jas 1:25

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 12 So 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 2:1-13

Chapter Outline All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. (1-13) The necessity of good works to prove the sincerity of faith, which otherwise will be of no more advantage than the faith of devils. (14-26) Verses 1-13 Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not agreeing…

Read the full comment on James 2:1-13 →

James 2:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὕτωςhoutōsThusG3779

λαλεῖτεlaleitedo speakG2980

καὶkaiandG2532

οὕτωςhoutōssoG3779

ποιεῖτεpoieitedo actG4160

ὡςhōsasG5613

διὰdiathroughG1223

νόμουnomou[the] lawG3551

ἐλευθερίαςeleutheriasof freedomG1657

μέλλοντεςmellontesbeing aboutG3195

κρίνεσθαι.krinesthaito be judged.G2919

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 2:12

James 1:25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 2:8
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2 Peter 1:4-8
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. …
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

speak.
Php 4:8; Col 3:17; 2Pe 1:4-8
the.
8; 1:25

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

James 2:11
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
James 2:12
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Read all of James 2

James 2:12 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Así hablad, y así obrad, como los que habéis de ser juzgados por la ley de libertad.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Ainsi parlez, et ainsi agissez comme devant être jugés par la loi de la liberté;
German Elberfelder 1871	Also redet und also tut, als die durchs Gesetz der Freiheit gerichtet werden sollen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Sic loquimini, et sic facite sicut per legem libertatis incipientes judicari.