Condemnation, human

The passing of judgment on others. This is valid when authorised by God, but otherwise it is frequently partial, godless and self-protecting, and therefore unacceptable.

Condemnation and the legal process: impartial judgment demanded

Exodus 23:6–8 See also Deuteronomy 1:15–17, Deuteronomy 17:2–7, Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Chronicles 19:4–7; Proverbs 17:15

You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.

The perversity and injustice of human condemnation

Romans 2:1–5 See also 2 Samuel 12:1–10; Daniel 6:1–16

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

People's false condemnation of Jesus Christ

Acts 13:27–28 See also Matthew 26:59–63 parallel Mark 14:55–61

The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

NT warnings against judgment and condemnation

Matthew 7:1–5 parallels Luke 6:37–38, Luke 6:41–42 See also Luke 18:9–14; John 8:3–11; Romans 14:1–4, Romans 14:9–13

“Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

God's protection of his people from false condemnation

Isaiah 50:7–9; Romans 8:31–39