If things do not go to suit us, the natural way is to blame somebody
else for what has befallen us. We generally exculpate ourselves from all
responsibility. A naïve illustration of this propensity is found in John
12:19: “Behold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after him.”
At the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem the Pharisees, thinking
that their cause against Jesus was lost, turned and blamed each other
for the outcome. So then “murmur not, brethren, one against another.”
Literally it is, “groan not, brothers, against one another.” See Romans
8:23: “We ourselves groan within ourselves.” It is the inward and
unexpressed feeling rather than the outward expression of
dissatisfaction (cf. James 4:11).
The secret grudge is taken out in groans and murmurs. In Mark 7:34 Jesus
is said to have groaned as he looked up to heaven and prayed, perhaps
out of sheer weariness at the burden of sin and sorrow that was upon
him. It is hard to be content and to smother resentment at known or
suspected wrong. The suppressed volcano may easily break out into a
violent eruption. “Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if
they be not satisfied” (Psalm 59:15, AV). The murmur of a mob is often
senseless, and in all events we must bear in mind that we bring down
condemnation on our own heads.
“That ye be not judged,” says James. He recurs to this point in 5:12.
Probably the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1 are recalled by James.
“Behold, the judge standeth before the door.” He will hear all
complaints and set everything right. The picture appears to be that in
the Mishnah _Ab._ iv. 16: “This world is as if it were a vestibule to
the future world; prepare thyself in the vestibule, that thou mayest
enter the reception room.” Jesus is the Judge who stands at the door
through which all must pass. The conception is eschatological and
apocalyptic. See Matthew 24:33: “Know ye that he is nigh, even at the
doors.” In Revelation 3:20 Jesus is represented as saying: “Behold, I
stand at the door and knock.” Let him in now, that you and he may sup
together. Let him in now, else you may stand before him hereafter as
culprit and helpless and hopeless. “Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and
ye perish in the way” (Psalm 2:12). Treat kindly one another so that you
will not need the Son to act as Judge between you.