"For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. " (James 2:13 ESV)
This verse shocked me greatly because I know that God is just and also merciful. When I was young, I constantly wondered if the Lord would be fairer than merciful and debated in my mind on both terms. When I read the verse, I asked God to give me discernment so I could fully understand it. I was intrigued by the second part of the text "mercy triumphs over judgment." Let's see.
We understand that justice refers to giving each one what he deserves, it is first an intellectual exercise. That interpretation is not difficult. Let us then look at the verse and study the concept of mercy.
This verse urges us to imitate God by being merciful to others, to have empathy and forgiveness, for we have been forgiven by God without deserving it. In looking for context, we can see that the preceding verses speak of the importance of impartiality in fulfilling the commandment to love others as ourselves.
Let’s continue. If we study the etymology of the word mercy we see that it comes from the 9th century French words mercit and merci meaning "kindness, gift, grace,pity" and from the Latin merces or mercedem "reward, wages, pay" in Vulgar Latin “favor , pity”. During the 6th century the Church Latin used it to refer to a heavenly reward that those who show kindness to the helppless. Also, the use of the word mercy in the Bible originates from the Hebrew words Hesed and Rahamin. The first term refers to a relationship of fidelity and implies piety. The second refers to the attachment of one human being to another which translates into feelings of love and compassion.
Mercy is a quality or attribute of God, we see it throughout the Bible. Already in chapter 19 of the book of Genesis the mercy of the Lord is clearly identified. His mercy is intrinsically linked to his grace. He is merciful towards us graciously; it pleases him to forgive us and love us, he pities us and without deserving it, he loves us.
Thus, the whole Word of God does not exhort us to be merciful to others: "Be therefore merciful, as is your Father also merciful." (Luke 6:36 RVR60). Likewise, we are warned that we will receive mercy if we impart it and vice versa:
· "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7 ESV);
· "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. " (James 2:13 ESV).
As we know, the Bible is a whole. Some parts help us understand others, because it's a single message. To better understand the verse at hand, let's turn to Luke 6:27-36 (ESV):
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Mercy is therefore greater than justice because mercy involves compassion, understanding, empathy, and forgiveness. It is easier to be righteous than to be merciful; mercy goes beyond justice. Mercy is an act of love. Because God is love, being merciful emulates him. That is why mercy triumphs over justice: because it is a manifestation of love.
"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)
Comments