James 2:13 (DRB)

Passage

For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

Nearby Context

James 2:11 For he that said: Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also: Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

James 2:12 So speak ye and so do, as being to be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment.

James 2:14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?

James 2:15 And if a brother or sister be naked and want daily food:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "mercy", "judgment", "without", "hath", "done", and "exalteth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "mercy" and "judgment", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "So speak ye and so do as..." into verse 14's "What shall it profit my brethren if...", so "mercy" and "judgment" belong inside that flow. In James context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "mercy" and "judgment" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.