The Paradox of Judging Others and Ourselves in Christianity
Christian teaching presents a complex perspective on judgment, distinguishing between the condemnation of others and the necessary self-assessment of one's own actions and beliefs. While believers are cautioned against harsh or hypocritical judgment of others, a form of self-judgment is encouraged as a path to spiritual growth and avoiding divine discipline [5, 9].
The New Testament frequently warns against judging others. Jesus states, "Judge not, that ye be not judged," implying that the standard one uses to evaluate others will be applied to oneself [5, 8]. This principle suggests that unkind judgment will be returned upon the individual in the divine administration [8]. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, particularly in the context of differing practices within the early church. In Romans 14:10, he asks why one Christian judges another, reminding them that all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ [6]. This passage addresses the tendency of some to condemn those who do not adhere to certain Mosaic laws, while others might despise those who do [6].
However, the Bible also indicates situations where a form of judgment is appropriate, particularly within the Christian community. Paul asks, "Do you not judge those who are within the church?" [1]. This suggests that while "outsiders" are not the concern of the church's judgment, there is an internal responsibility to discern and address issues among believers [1]. This internal judgment is not for condemnation but for the purpose of maintaining the integrity and spiritual health of the community.
Self-judgment is presented as a crucial aspect of Christian life. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:31 that "self-judgment (which implies confession of sin and repentance) averts God’s judgment" [9]. This form of judgment involves an honest appraisal of one's own conduct and motives, leading to repentance and a turning away from sin [9]. John Chrysostom, an early church father, reflects on Paul's statement, "I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord" [5]. Chrysostom interprets this to mean that even if one is unaware of any wrongdoing, ultimate justification comes from God, not from one's own self-assessment [5, 7]. one tradition notes that Paul, despite knowing nothing against himself, still recognized that he was not justified by this alone, implying that there could be unknown sins [7]. For those with "conscience filled with ten thousand wounds," this self-awareness is even more critical [7].
The human tendency towards self-righteousness and pride often hinders proper self-judgment and fuels the judgmental spirit towards others [2, 3]. Individuals are prone to self-righteousness, which is described as hateful to God and vain because it is often external, partial, and ineffectual for salvation [2]. This self-righteousness can lead to condemning others and seeking to justify oneself before both God and people [2]. Pride, often originating from self-righteousness, is also identified as a sin that defiles a person and hardens the mind [3]. Self-delusion can further exacerbate this, leading individuals to believe their own ways are right, that they are pure, or that they are better than others [4].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 5:12 (NASB) — For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Righteousness — Man is prone to -- Pr 20:6; 30:12. Hateful to God -- Lu 16:15. Is vain because our righteousness is But external. -- Mt 23:25-28; Lu 11:39-44. But partial. -- Mt 23:25; Lu 11:44. No better than filthy rags. -- Isa 64:6. Ineffectual for salvation. -- Job 9:30,31; Mt 5:20; Ro 3:20. Unprofitable. -- Isa 57:12. Is boastful -- Mt 23:30. They who are given to Audaciously approach God. -- Lu 18:11. Seek to justify themselves. -- Lu 10:29. Seek to justify themselves before men. -- Lu 16:15. Reject the righteousness of God. -- Ro 10:3. Condemn others. -- ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride — Is sin -- Pr 21:4. Hateful to God -- Pr 6:16,17; 16:5. Hateful to Christ -- Pr 8:12,13. Often originates in Self-righteousness. -- Lu 18:11,12. Religious privileges. -- Zep 3:11. Unsanctified knowledge. -- 1Co 8:1. Inexperience. -- 1Ti 3:6. Possession of power. -- Le 26:19; Eze 30:6. Possession of wealth. -- 2Ki 20:13. Forbidden -- 1Sa 2:3; Ro 12:3,16. Defiles a man -- Mr 7:20,22. Hardens the mind -- Da 5:20. Saints give not away. -- Ps 131:1. Respect not, in others. -- Ps 40:4. Mourn over, in others. -- Jer 13:17. Hate, in others. -- Ps 101:5. A hindrance to”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Delusion — A characteristic of the wicked -- Ps 49:18. Prosperity frequently leads to -- Ps 30:6; Ho 12:8; Lu 12:17-19. Obstinate sinners often given up to -- Ps 81:11,12; Ho 4:17; 2Th 2:10,11. Exhibited in thinking that Our own ways are right. -- Pr 14:12. We should adhere to established wicked practices. -- Jer 44:17. We are pure. -- Pr 30:12. We are better than others. -- Lu 18:11. We are rich in spiritual things. -- Re 3:17. We may have peace while in sin. -- De 29:19. We are above adversity. -- Ps 10:6. Gifts entitle us to heaven. -- Mt 7:21,22. Privileges ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: Homily XI. 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord. Together with all other ills, I know not how, there hath come upon man’s nature the disease of restless prying and of unseasonable curiosity, which Christ Himself chastised, saying, (St. Matt. vii. 1 .) “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” A kind of thing, which hath no pleasure as all other sins have”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 14:10: But why dost thou - Christian Jew, observing the rites of the Mosaic law, judge - condemn thy brother - the Christian Gentile, who does not think himself bound by this law? Or why dost thou - Christian Gentile, set at nought thy Christian Jewish brother, as if he were unworthy of thy regard, because he does not yet believe that the Gospel has set him free from the rites and ceremonies of the law? It is a true saying of Mr. Heylin, on this verse: The superstitious are prone to judge, and those who are not superstitious are prone to despise. We shall all stand before”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: to do this when we sin. But Paul said not this, “For I know nothing,” saith he, “against myself.” What misdeed then was he to judge, when he “knew nothing against himself?” Yet, saith he, “he was not justified.” ( 1 Cor. vi. 3 .) We then who have our conscience filled with ten thousand wounds, and are conscious to ourselves of nothing good, but quite the contrary; what can we say? And how could it be, if he knew nothing against himself that he was not justified? Because it was possible for him to have committed certain sins, not however, knowing ”
- 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, ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:31: 11:31 Self-judgment (which implies confession of sin and repentance) averts God’s judgment.”