Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.
Parallel translations
- WEB So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.
- KJV So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
- NKJV So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
- NASB So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.
- NLT So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers should speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. Awareness of coming judgment should shape our words and deeds.
Overview
James calls his readers to live in light of accountability before the "law of freedom"—the gospel-shaped standard by which believers will be assessed. This law liberates yet still summons us to genuine obedience flowing from grace. Both speech and conduct fall under this scrutiny, reinforcing the call to impartial, loving action.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Jas 1:25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
- Jas 2:8If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- 2 Pet 1:4–8Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
- Col 3:17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
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Christ at the center
The wisdom from above and the royal law of love are the life of those who belong to 'our glorious Lord Jesus Christ' — faith in him made visible in works.
How James 2:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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