{"id":466,"date":"2014-11-10T12:00:57","date_gmt":"2014-11-10T12:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/?p=466"},"modified":"2014-10-27T19:28:08","modified_gmt":"2014-10-27T19:28:08","slug":"matthew-71-6-judging-others-word-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/2014\/11\/matthew-71-6-judging-others-word-study.html","title":{"rendered":"Matthew 7:1-6; Judging Others (Word Study)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cDo not judge\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

These words of Jesus that open Matthew 7 have been a source of confusion\u2014and antagonism\u2014for centuries. The problem seems to be that many of us misunderstand the distinctions between similar Greek terms that mean different things.<\/p>\n

Anakrin\u014d<\/em> (\u201cto discern\u201d) is a general term that means \u201cto investigate\u2026to examine, scrutinize, question.\u201d It\u2019s a verb that happens outside of a courtroom, a search for truth that may be in preparation for a trial, but also happens when no formal, legal proceeding is imminent. This type of discerning effort is lauded in the Bible. For instance, Paul prayed for Christians in Philippi to grow \u201cin knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern [anakrin\u014d<\/em>] what is best\u201d (Philippians 1:9-10). Additionally, Acts 17:11 praises the people of Berea because they \u201cexamined [anakrin\u014d<\/em>] the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.\u201d Unsurprisingly, then, anakrin\u014d<\/em> is NOT the term Jesus used in Matthew 7:1.<\/p>\n

Krin\u014d<\/em> (\u201cto judge\u201d) is the word Jesus used in Matthew 7. This is a verb that means \u201cto pronounce judgment\u201d and \u201cto assume the office of a judge.\u201d It\u2019s a specific term that refers to a courtroom-style setting where a defendant is either convicted or exonerated. It carries with it both the ability to act (\u201cpronounce judgment\u201d) and the legal authority to enforce the action (\u201cthe office of a judge\u201d). In Jesus\u2019 context, it refers to the coming eternal judgment of a person\u2019s soul.<\/p>\n

Speaking primarily to the practices of Pharisees and overbearing religious leaders, Jesus condemned a hypocritical attitude of judgment (krin\u014d<\/em>) toward others that exceeded the otherwise praiseworthy attempts at discernment (anakrin\u014d<\/em>). He railed against anyone presuming to have authority to \u201cassume the office\u201d of Judge over the souls of his creation. As God incarnate, Christ alone holds that authority\u2014and he intends to keep it.<\/p>\n

In practical terms, then, we are to anakrin\u014d<\/em> our hearts out, seeking to know and understand truth as it relates to our daily lives of service\u2014but we are never to assume that gives us the right to krin\u014d<\/em> our fellow sinners to hell or other spiritual punishment. We\u2019d be wise to follow the Apostle Paul\u2019s wisdom in 1 Corinthians 4:4-5:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Works Cited<\/a>:<\/p>\n

[VCE, 171, 336]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2126\u2126\u2126<\/p>\n

About: For Bible Study Nerds\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n

About: Mike Nappa<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2014 to present by\u00a0Nappaland Communications Inc<\/a>. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cDo not judge\u2026\u201d These words of Jesus that open Matthew 7 have been a source of confusion\u2014and antagonism\u2014for centuries. The problem seems to be that many of us misunderstand the distinctions between similar Greek terms that mean different things. Anakrin\u014d (\u201cto discern\u201d) is a general term that means \u201cto investigate\u2026to examine, scrutinize, question.\u201d It\u2019s a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":571,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,15],"tags":[16,192,111],"class_list":["post-466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-matthew","category-wordstudies","tag-jesus","tag-judging-others","tag-sermon-on-the-mount"],"yoast_head":"\nMatthew 7:1-6; Judging Others (Word Study) - For Bible Study Nerds<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Matthew 7:1-6; Judging Others (Word Study) - For Bible Study Nerds\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cDo not judge\u2026\u201d These words of Jesus that open Matthew 7 have been a source of confusion\u2014and antagonism\u2014for centuries. 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