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James 5:4
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Genesis 42:21
And they said one to another, Weare verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

Judges 1:7
And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gatheredtheir meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

and.

Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissedeach other.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that Iam the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in thesethings I delight, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them,As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

rejoiceth.

to anyone who has not been merciful.
Mercy is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. In the cultural context of the Bible, mercy involves compassion and forgiveness towards others, even when they do not deserve it. This phrase highlights the reciprocal nature of mercy; those who fail to show mercy to others cannot expect to receive it themselves. This is consistent with Jesus' teaching in the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). The expectation of mercy is not just a New Testament concept but is also found in the Old Testament, such as inMicah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and humility before God.

Mercy triumphs over judgment.
This concluding phrase offers hope and emphasizes the supremacy of mercy in God's economy. The triumph of mercy over judgment reflects the heart of the Gospel message, where God's mercy through Christ's sacrifice on the cross overcomes the judgment that humanity deserves due to sin. This is a profound theological statement that aligns with the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the ultimate expression of God's mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5). The triumph of mercy is also seen in the prophetic writings, such asHosea 6:6, where God desires mercy rather than sacrifice. This phrase encourages believers to prioritize mercy in their interactions with others, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Christ.

The opening words sober us: “For judgment without mercy will be shown…” (James 2:13). James is reminding believers that God’s courtroom is real and impartial.

• Scripture presents God as the righteous Judge (Psalm 9:7-8;Hebrews 9:27).

• His judgments are without favoritism (Romans 2:11).

• When we refuse to extend mercy, we place ourselves under a standard that withholds mercy from us (Matthew 7:1-2).

James is not suggesting believers lose salvation every time we stumble; rather he underscores that a hardened, unmerciful heart exposes a life not shaped by the gospel (1 John 3:14-15).

Mercy is love in action toward the needy, the hurting, and even the undeserving. James has just rebuked favoritism toward the rich (James 2:1-9). Now he states the cost of such hardness.

Consider:

• Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35) ends with the master handing the servant over to judgment “because you did not have mercy on your fellow servant.”

•Proverbs 21:13 warns, “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and not be answered.”

•1 John 3:17 asks how God’s love can abide in anyone who sees a brother in need yet closes his heart.

A lifestyle lacking mercy reveals we have not truly received or understood God’s mercy in Christ.

The verse concludes triumphantly: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” God delights to pardon (Micah 7:18). Through the cross, justice is satisfied and mercy overflows (Romans 3:24-26).

For believers, mercy triumphs in two ways:

1. God’s mercy covers our sins. “According to His great mercy He has given us new birth” (1 Peter 1:3).

2. Our mercy toward others reflects and confirms His work in us. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

When we choose mercy—welcoming the poor, forgiving offenses, meeting needs—we demonstrate the gospel’s victory over the condemnation we once deserved (Ephesians 2:4-5).

James 2:13 warns that an unmerciful attitude places us under unrelenting judgment, yet it also announces the triumph of God’s mercy for all who receive and share it. Because God has shown us boundless mercy in Christ, we gladly extend mercy to others, proving that His grace reigns in our hearts and ensuring that mercy, not judgment, has the final word.

Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.--There can hardly be a fitter comment on this text than that which must be present in every reader's mind--the speech of Portia inThe Merchant of Venice,

"The quality of mercy is not strained;" &c.

--(Acts 4 scene 1.)

But let the words of the Greek, John the Golden Mouthed, be added, for their exceeding beauty also. "Mercy is dear to God, and intercedes for the sinner, and breaks his chains, and dissipates the darkness, and quenches the fire of hell, and destroys the worm, and rescues from the gnashing of teeth. To her the gates of Heaven are opened. She is the queen of virtues, and makes men like to God, for it is written, 'Be ye merciful as your Father also is merciful' (Luke 6:36). She has silver wings like the dove, and feathers of gold, and soars aloft, and is clothed with divine glory, and stands by the throne of God; when we are in danger of being condemned she rises up and pleads for us, and covers us with her defence, and enfolds us in her wings. God loves mercy more than sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). . . .