Bible Verses About Judging Others

Bible passages about judgment, discernment, and when it is appropriate or inappropriate to judge the actions of others.

King James Version
1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1-5
24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
John 7:24
12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1 Corinthians 5:12
2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1 Corinthians 6:2-3
1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
James 4:11-12
37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 6:37
10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Romans 14:10
13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Romans 14:13
15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Matthew 18:15
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:9

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ForgivenessLoveWisdomHumility

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jesus forbid all judging?

Matthew 7:1 ('Judge not, that ye be not judged') is often quoted in isolation, but the full passage (7:1-5) prohibits hypocritical judgment while allowing discernment once you address your own sins. John 7:24 says to 'judge righteous judgment.' The Bible distinguishes between condemnatory hypocrisy and the loving discernment necessary for church life and personal wisdom.

When is judging appropriate according to Scripture?

Paul explicitly instructs judging within the church (1 Corinthians 5:12) and says believers will judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). Matthew 18:15-17 outlines a process for addressing a brother's sin. Galatians 6:1 calls for restoring the fallen in gentleness. Proverbs 31:9 commands judging righteously and defending the poor. Righteous judgment is done with humility, love, and self-examination.

What is the difference between judging and discernment?

Christians generally distinguish between self-righteous condemnation (forbidden) and spiritual discernment (required). Judging condemns the person; discernment evaluates actions and teachings. Jesus said to identify false prophets by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20) — which requires evaluation — in the same sermon where He said 'judge not.' The key difference lies in the heart: is the goal restoration and truth, or superiority and condemnation?