9. Grudge not--rather "Murmur not"; "grumble not." The
Greek is literally, "groan": a half-suppressed murmur of
impatience and harsh judgment, not uttered aloud or freely. Having
exhorted them to patience in bearing wrongs from the wicked, he now
exhorts them to a forbearing spirit as to the offenses given by
brethren. Christians, who bear the former patiently, sometimes are
impatient at the latter, though much less grievous.
lest . . . condemned--The best manuscript authorities
read, "judged." James refers to
Mt 7:1,
"Judge not lest ye be judged." To "murmur against one another"
is virtually to judge, and so to become liable to be
judged.
judge . . . before the door--referring to
Mt 24:33.
The Greek is the same in both passages, and so ought to be
translated here as there, "doors," plural. The phrase means "near at
hand"
(Ge 4:7),
which in the oldest interpretations [Targums of Jonathan and
Jerusalem] is explained, "thy sin is reserved unto the
judgment of the world to come." Compare "the everlasting doors"
(Ps 24:7,
whence He shall come forth). The Lord's coming to destroy Jerusalem is
primarily referred to; and ultimately, His coming again visibly to
judgment.
JFB.
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