JUDGE, JUDGING

The Greek word krino means to render a verdict (Lk. 7:43; Acts 15:9). Prepositions may be attached as prefixes to provide some direction to the term. For example, diakrino suggests the idea of distinguishing between objects (1 Cor. 6:5; 11:31; 14:19); anakrino means to investigate or thoroughly scrutinize (1 Cor. 2:14; 4:3). Jesus once said: "Judge not" (a prohibition), and then again, he said: "Judge ye" (an imperative). Obviously, there is a wrong way to judge and a right way. (a) One must not judge superficially, i.e., according to appearance (Jn. 7:24a). Judgment should not be done hypocritically (Mt. 7:3-5; Rom. 2:1ff). (b) Yet one must judge himself (1 Cor. 11:31; cf. 2 Cor. 13:5). Sometimes one must judge others, i.e., pronounce judgment concerning them (1 Cor. 5:3; 6:2-4). But always, he is to judge "righteous" judgment (Jn. 7:24b), i.e., a judgment measured by divine truth. (c) God, as a perfect being, has every right to judge according to righteousness (Gen. 18:25; Ezek. 33:20; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 19:2). (d) Final judgment will be effected through Christ (Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10).