James 4:11

2. Christian avoidance of even bitter and hostile speech, James 4:11-12.

11. Brethren It did not need this tender word to show us that a different class is now addressed from the sinners of the last terrible paragraph. If they were the same, we do not well see how the brethren could speak evil of each other any more keenly than he speaks of them.

Of his brother One who, it may be assumed, tries to be, and believes he is, right.

Judgeth his brother Arraigns him and pronounces sentence upon him, like an authoritative superior.

Judge the law Decides upon the exact nature and force of the law, and its absolute bearing on the particular case of the brother. We may have our opinion, and the brother may have his; what is condemned is our overriding his judgment, as if he were a culprit who had no right to an opinion.

Not a doer… but a judge You leave your proper position on the common level with your brother, of obedience to the law, and mount a tribunal in which you pronounce upon both the law and the brother. This does not forbid just criticism, but does forbid a reckless overbearing towards one whom we have reason to believe conscientious, in which our own pride of decision is involved.