James 4:11

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren, etc.] The apostle here returns to his former subject, concerning the vices of the tongue, he had been upon in the preceding chapter, (<590306>James 3:6-10), and here mentions one, which professors of religion were too much guilty of, and that is, speaking evil one of another; which is done either by raising false reports, and bringing false charges; or by aggravating failings and infirmities; or by lessening and depreciating characters, and endeavouring to bring others into discredit and disesteem among men: this is a very great evil, and what the men of the world do, and from them it is expected; but for the saints to speak evil one of another, to…”

“Having mentioned sins of the tongue (Jam 3:5-12), he shows here that evil-speaking flows from the same spirit of exalting self at the expense of one's neighbor as caused the "fightings" reprobated in this chapter (Jam 4:1). Speak not evil--literally, "Speak not against" one another. brethren--implying the inconsistency of such depreciatory speaking of one another in brethren. speaketh evil of the law--for the law in commanding, "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Jam 2:8), virtually condemns evil-speaking and judging [ESTIUS]. Those who superciliously condemn the acts and words of others which do not please themselves, thus aiming at the reputation of sanctity, put their own moroseness in the…”

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren - It is not known to whom the apostle here particularly refers, nor is it necessary to know. It is probable that among those whom he addressed there were some who were less circumspect in regard to speaking of others than they should be, and perhaps this evil prevailed. There are few communities where such an injunction would not be proper at any time, and few churches where some might not be found to whom the exhortation would be appropriate. Compare the Ephesians 4:31 note; 1 Peter 2:1 note. The evil here referred to is that of talking against others - against their actions, their motives, their manner of living, their families, etc. Few things are…”

“Speak not evil one of another - This is a grand hinderance of peace. O who is sufficiently aware of it! He that speaketh evil of another does in effect speak evil of the law, which so strongly prohibits it. Thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge - Of it; thou settest thyself above, and as it were condemnest, it. James 4:12”

“4:11-12 These verses reflect on Matt 7:1 and Luke 6:37 (see study note on Jas 1:22-23). 4:11 Don’t speak evil against each other: This exhortation for peace in the Christian community requires that Christians not slander each other. Slandering one’s neighbor is the same as slandering God’s law, because the law prohibits slander and demands love for one’s neighbor (2:8; Lev 19:16-18; Matt 7:1-5).”

“Speak: Psa 140:11; Eph 4:31; Ti1 3:11; Ti2 3:3; Tit 2:3; Pe1 2:1 and judgeth: Mat 7:1, Mat 7:2; Luk 6:37; Rom 2:1, Rom 14:3, Rom 14:4, Rom 14:10-12; Co1 4:5 speaketh evil of the law: Rom 7:7, Rom 7:12, Rom 7:13 a doer: Jam 1:22, Jam 1:23, Jam 1:25; Rom 2:13 James 4:12”