01.6.2. Judged According To Truth

Chapter 6ii - Judged According To Truth

God’s judgment is according to truth revealed in Holy Scripture (Romans 2:1-2). “But we have known [oidamen, perfect active indicative of oida, to know, understand, or perceive] that the judgment of God is according to truth on the ones practicing such things” (Romans 2:2 -translation). The perfect verb oidamen, “we have known,” is used in the intensive sense, thus emphasizing the results of knowing in the present, not the point of action of knowing in the past. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of truth-truth personified (John 1:14; John 14:6); and He is the One to whom all judgment has been committed (John 5:22). Persons who have no interest in Divine truth also have no interest in justice. Jesus Christ is incarnate truth, and He has given us the word of truth (Ephesians 1:13; James 1:18). Truth endures not only to all generations (Psalms 100:5) but also forever (Psalms 117:2).

Paul was not condemning judgment of others, but he was disapproving of those who do not first judge themselves. Christ’s statement “Judge not” of Matthew 7:1 is not an absolute prohibition. If that were true, the whole world would be given into the hands of the wicked; unrighteousness would flourish; and heresy would abound. Scripture teaches that civil authority includes judges and magistrates (Romans 13:1-7), and the assemblies have the authority to judge false teaching (2 Peter 2:1), false spirits (1 John 4:1-3), false ways (Proverbs 14:12), false professors of faith (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 8:13; John 2:23-25), and false living by assembly members (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:12). All judgment must be in harmony with the principles of Holy Scripture.