James 4:12 - Exposition

To play the part of a censor is to assume the office of a judge. But this is an office which belongs to God and not to man (cf. Romans 14:3 , Romans 14:4 ). The first words of the verse should be rendered as follows: "One only is the Lawgiver and Judge:" the last words, καὶ κριτής , omitted in the Received Text, being found in א , A, B, and most versions, the Latin, Syriac, and Coptic. In the last clause also the Received Text requires correction. Read, σὺ δὲ τίς εἷ (insert δὲ , א , A, B, L, K, Latin, Syriac, Coptic) ὁ κρίνων τὸν πλήσιον ( א , A, B).