What Does Matthew 7:1 Mean in the King James?

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Matthew 7:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The judgment you direct outward becomes the measure that can turn back on you.

THE MEANING

Your judgment of another does not leave you outside its reach; the same act places you within judgment’s measure. The verse speaks of judgment as something that returns upon the one who sets it in motion.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that you can judge another while remaining untouched by the standard you apply.

THE ROOT

κρίνω

krinō

GROWS FROM

κριν

To distinguish or separate, then decide; by extension, to judge or pronounce a verdict.

“judge” in this verse is krinō. The Greek verb covers deciding and distinguishing as well as judging. The verse uses forms of this same verb for both the act directed toward another and the judgment that may meet the one who acts, making the return of the measure visible.

ALSO GROWS

krisis: judgment, decision

κρίσις

This branch names the decision or judgment that follows from the act of deciding.

kritēs: judge, one who decides

κριτής

This branch names the person who renders the judgment, placing the judge within the same word family as the act and its outcome.

THE PATTERN

The standard a person sends outward returns to measure that person.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:2 · KJVThe next verse makes the returning measure explicit: the judgment applied to another becomes the measure applied to you.

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

Obadiah 1:15 · KJVThe action sent outward returns to the one who set it in motion.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Romans 2:1 · KJVThe verdict against another reaches the person who pronounces it.

THE THREAD

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Romans 2:1 · KJV

Both passages use forms of ⁨κρίνω⁩ (krinō, “to distinguish, decide, or judge”). Romans makes the return plain: the judgment directed at another also reaches the person who makes it.

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