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Biblical Meaning of Judging Others and Contempt

The biblical understanding of "judging" encompasses a range of meanings, from discerning and administering justice to condemning others, while "contempt" is consistently presented as a negative attitude rooted in pride and wickedness.

Judging (κρίμα / shaphat)

The Greek term κρίμα (krima) refers to the outcome of a judicial process, a decision passed on the faults of others, or the judgment of God [10]. The Hebrew verb שָׁפַט (shaphat) also carries the sense of judging, condemning, and punishing [11].

Administering Justice

In the Old Testament, judging often refers to the act of administering justice. Moses, for instance, would sit "from the morning unto the evening" to "hear and determine controversies between man and man, and to give them instruction in things appertaining to God" [18]. This judicial role is also seen in the context of God's own actions, as He is described as the "judge of all" who gives decisions against those whose lives are displeasing to Him due to evil acts [6]. The concept of judgment is a "first principle of the gospel" [5], with a day appointed for it, known as the "Day of wrath" or the "revelation of the righteous judgment of God" [5]. This final judgment will be administered by Christ [5].

Human judges are expected to uphold justice, as seen in the prohibition against injustice [2]. Injustice is specifically to be avoided towards the poor, the stranger, the fatherless, and servants [2]. God regards injustice, disapproves of it, and abominates it, hearing the cry of those who suffer from it [2]. Proverbs 17:15 states that "Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD" [8]. The sin of "respect of persons" in judicial sentences, where something is allotted to a person out of proportion to justice, is also condemned [17]. John Calvin notes that God is "no acceptor of persons," meaning He does not make distinctions based on factors like wealth, power, or nationality in His judgment [13].

The disciples of Jesus are promised a role in judging, sitting on "twelve thrones" [14]. This suggests a reversal where those who are humble and poor will judge the wealthy and powerful [14].

Condemning Others

Beyond the administration of justice, "judging" can also refer to a negative, hypocritical condemnation of others. Jesus condemned this kind of judgment, stating that "with what judgments ye Judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete—whatever standard of judgment ye apply to others—it shall be measured to you again" [15]. This is a "great principle in the divine administration," meaning that unkind judgment of others will be returned upon oneself [15].

Tyndale House's commentary on Luke 6:37-42 explains that Jesus condemned "hypocritical judgment that denigrated another person" [12]. While God requires His people to love others by warning them of sin (Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 3:13), this "exhortation is an act of love; judgment is an act of pride" [12].

The term "damnation" in some biblical contexts also signifies "condemnation." For example, in Romans 13:2, it refers to the condemnation that comes upon those who resist God's ordained authority [1]. In 1 Corinthians 11:29, it means exposure to severe temporal judgments from God [1]. In Romans 14:23, being "damned" means being condemned by one's own conscience and by God's Word [1].

Contempt (בּוּז / buz)

The Hebrew word בּוּז (buz) denotes contempt, often stemming from pride and wickedness [9]. It is frequently found in Wisdom Literature and poetry [9].

Manifestations and Consequences of Contempt

Contempt is identified as a sin [4]. Proverbs 14:21 states that "he who despises his neighbor sins" [4]. It is also described as folly [4]. Contempt is a characteristic of the wicked [4], and it can arise from pride and prosperity [4]. For example, Job 12:5 speaks of contempt springing from prosperity and ease [9]. Proverbs 18:3 links the wicked with contempt, stating that "When the wicked comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes scorn" [16]. Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse suggests that wicked people are scornful and put contempt on others, flouting and jeering at anything serious or grave [16].

The Bible forbids contempt towards various groups:

Self-righteousness can prompt contempt, as seen in Luke 18:9, 11, where the Pharisee despises the tax collector [4]. Ministers are also cautioned to give no occasion for contempt (1 Timothy 4:12) [4]. Contempt for ministers is equated with despising God Himself (Luke 10:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:8) [4].

Divine Judgment and Contempt

God can pour out contempt as a form of judgment [9]. Job 12:21 and Psalm 107:40 describe God pouring contempt on princes [9]. Ezekiel 5:15 speaks of God executing judgments in anger and wrath, making Jerusalem "a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment, to the nations" [7]. This demonstrates how contempt can be a consequence of divine judgment.

The concept of "scorning and mocking" is closely related to contempt [3]. The sufferings of Christ were predicted to involve scorn and mockery (Psalm 22:6-8; Isaiah 53:3; Luke 18:32) and He indeed endured them (Matthew 9:24; 27:29) [3]. Saints also endure scorn and mockery for their faith, uprightness, and faithfulness in declaring God's word [3]. The wicked indulge in scorning against the second coming of Christ, the gifts of the Spirit, God's threatenings, and God's ministers and ordinances [3].

The Bible consistently portrays contempt as a negative trait, often linked to pride and wickedness, and something to be avoided in human interactions, while also acknowledging it as a tool of divine judgment against the unrighteous.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Damnation — In Rom. 13:2, means "condemnation," which comes on those who withstand God's ordinance of magistracy. This sentence of condemnation comes not from the magistrate, but from God, whose authority is thus resisted. In 1 Cor. 11:29 (R.V., "judgment") this word means condemnation, in the sense of exposure to severe temporal judgements from God, as the following verse explains. In Rom. 14:23 the word "damned" means "condemned" by one's own conscience, as well as by the Word of God. The apostle shows here that many things which are lawful are not expedient; and t”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Injustice — Forbidden -- Le 19:15,35; De 16:19. Specially to be avoided towards The poor. -- Ex 23:6; Pr 22:16,22,23. The stranger and fatherless. -- Ex 22:21,22; De 24:17; Jer 22:3. Servants. -- Job 31:13,14; De 24:14; Jer 22:13. Of the least kind, condemned -- Lu 16:10. God Regards. -- Ec 5:8. Approves not of. -- La 3:35,36. Abominates. -- Pr 17:15; 20:10. Hears the cry of those who suffer. -- Jas 5:4. Provoked to avenge. -- Ps 12:5. Brings a curse -- De 27:17,19. A bad example leads to -- Ex 23:2. Intemperance leads to -- Pr 31:5. Covetousness leads to -- Jer 6:13”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Contempt — Sin of -- Job 31:13,14; Pr 14:21. Folly of -- Pr 11:12. A characteristic of the wicked -- Pr 18:3; Isa 5:24; 2Ti 3:3. Forbidden towards Parents. -- Pr 23:22. Christ's little ones. -- Mt 18:10. Weak brethren. -- Ro 14:3. Young ministers. -- 1Co 16:11. Believing masters. -- 1Ti 6:2. The poor. -- Jas 2:1-3. Self-righteous prompts to -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:9,11. Pride and prosperity prompt to -- Ps 123:4. Ministers should give no occasion for -- 1Ti 4:12. Of ministers, is a despising of God -- Lu 10:16; 1Th 4:8. Towards the church Often turned into respect. -- Isa”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
  6. Jude “Jude 1:15 (BBE) — To be the judge of all, and to give a decision against all those whose lives are unpleasing to him, because of the evil acts which they have done, and because of all the hard things which sinners without fear of God have said against him.”
  7. Ezekiel “So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I shall execute judgments on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes; (I, Yahweh, have spoken it;) -- Ezekiel 5:15”
  8. Proverbs “Proverbs 17:15 (BSB) — Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.”
  9. Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H937] buz — H937. buz II. בּוּז noun masculineProv 18:3 contempt — ׳בּ absolute Gen 38:23 9t.; construct Job 31:34; — (Wisdom Literature & poetry, except Gen 38:23 J). 1 contempt springing from pride and wickedness Job 31:34; Psa 123:3; 123:4 (|| לַעַג); joined in one adverb. phrase with גאוה 31:19 ׳בְּג ׳וָב; springing from prosperity and ease Job 12:5; = object of contempt Gen 38:23; Prov 12:8; || חֶרְמָּה Psa 119:22; Prov 18:3. 2 judicial, poured out (שׁפך) by God, in judgment Job 12:21 = Psa 107:40.”
  10. STEPBible TBESG “[G2917] G2917 = (G2917) — <b>κρίμα</b> (B1., § 27, 2), -τος, τό <BR /> (κρίνω), [in LXX chiefly for מִשְׁפָּט ;] <BR />the issue of a judicial process, hence, <BR /> __1. <b>judgment, the decision passed on the faults of others</b>: <ref='Mat.7.2'>Mat.7:2;</ref> in forensic sense, with genitive pun., <ref='Luk.24.20'>Luk.24:20;</ref> esp. of the judgment of God, <ref='Rom.2.2; 5.16; 11.33'>Rom.2:2 5:16 11:33</ref> (<i>ICC</i>, in l), <ref='2Pe.2.3'>2Pe.2:3</ref>, <ref='Jude.4'>Ju 4</ref>; κ. λαμβάνεσθαι, <ref='Mat.23.13'>Mat.23:13</ref> (Rec., R, mg.), <ref='Mrk.12.40'>Mrk.12:40</ref>, <ref='L”
  11. Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H8199] shaphat (part 4/4) — condemning and punishing, (I) God פ ׳כְּדַרְכֵי according to ways of Ezek 7:3, 8; 18:30; 24:14; 33:20; 36:19; במשׁפטים 7:27; 23:24; נאפות משׁפטי 16:38 (= 23:45 of human judges); with accusative 1Sam 3:13; Psa 51:5; Ezek 11:10-11, Ezekiel 21:35; 35:11. (2) of man, only נַפְשׁוֺ שֹׁפְטֵי Psa 109:31 and Ezek 23:45 above, probably also Psa 141:6 (corrupt). d. at theophanic advent for final judgment: God is שֹׁפֵט Psa 50:6; 75:8; הארץ שׁפט 94:2, with accusative הארץ לשׁפט בא 96:13 = 1Chr 16:33; Psa 98:9; ׳שׁ הארץ 82:8; הנוים כל Joel 4:12; עמים 67:5; תבל 9:9; 96:13 = 98:9; ”
  12. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:37: 6:37-42 Do not judge others: Jesus condemned hypocritical judgment that denigrated another person. Those who condemn others will be judged by that same standard. God requires his people to love others by warning them of the dangers of sin (Gal 6:1; Heb 3:13). Exhortation is an act of love; judgment is an act of pride.”
  13. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 78: the one hand, riches, wealth, power, rank, office, country, beauty, &c.; and, on the other hand, poverty, want, mean birth, sordidness, contempt, and the like. Thus Peter and Paul say, that the Lord is no acceptor of persons, because he makes no distinction between the Jew and the Greek; does not make the mere circumstance of country the ground for rejecting, one or embracing the other ( Acts 10:34 ; Rom. 2:10 , Gal. 3:28 ). Thus James also uses the same words, when he would declare that God has no respect to riches in his judgment”
  14. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 19:28: 19:28 you . . . will also sit on twelve thrones: The disciples’ part in judging is a reversal—those who are wealthy and powerful now will be judged by those who are humble and poor (see 19:30). • Judging can mean both ruling and condemning (see Rev 20:4).”
  15. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:2: For with what judgments ye Judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete--whatever standard of judgment ye apply to others. it shall be measured to you again--This proverbial maxim is used by our Lord in other connections--as in Mar 4:24, and with a slightly different application in Luk 6:38 --as a great principle in the divine administration. Unkind judgment of others will be judicially returned upon ourselves, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. But, as in many other cases under the divine administration, ”
  16. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:3: This may include a double sense: - 1. That wicked people are scornful people, and put contempt upon others. When the wicked comes into any company, comes into the schools of wisdom or into the assemblies for religious worship, then comes contempt of God, of his people and ministers, and of every thing that is said and done. You can expect no other from those that are profane than that they will be scoffers; they will be an ignominy and reproach; they will flout and jeer every thing that is serious and grave. But let not wise and good men regard it, for the prove”
  17. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Respect of Persons, Art. 4: Article: Whether the sin of respect of persons takes place in judicial sentences? I answer that, As stated above (Question [60], Article [1]), judgment is an act of justice, in as much as the judge restores to the equality of justice, those things which may cause an opposite inequality. Now respect of persons involves a certain inequality, in so far as something is allotted to a person out of that proportion to him in which the equality of justice consists. Wherefore it is evident that ”
  18. Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 18:13: To judge the people - To hear and determine controversies between man and man, and to give them instruction in things appertaining to God. From the morning unto the evening - Moses was obliged to sit all day, and the people were continually coming and going.”
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