James 2:13

Verse 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy.

This I regard as confessedly hard. The thought here possibly is connected with something mentioned before. At all events, by following the Revised Version, the obscurity partly vanishes. "For judgment is without mercy to him that showed no mercy." So far it is easy of comprehension. In strictness of law no mercy ought to be extended to one who in his conduct and actions exhibited no mercy. But what of the latter clause in the Revised Version, "Mercy glorieth against judgment"? Now, the Syriac uses the words: "By mercy you will be raised above judgment." After much reflection I have concluded the sense to be that one standing for judgment, who in his dealings showed mercy, that is, exercised it in his contact with his fellowman, will then and there have mercy extended to him rather than the full weight of punishment. In this view it may well be said mercy rejoiceth against judgment, or by the mercy we are raised above judgment.