Matthew 7:1-2. Judge not...

Matthew 7:1-2 (NASB)

7 “Do not judge [krino] so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 7:1-2 (MOUNCE)

7 “ Do not judge [krinō] others, so that you will not be judged. 2 For by the standard [krima] you judge you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

[I have pasted the word studies taken from the "Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament" below.]

This passage came up on Sunday, and I decided I wanted to explore it in more depth.

"To judge" has these meanings (see below): to assume censorial power over, to bring under question, to judge judicially, be arraigned [for trial], to pass judgment, to be brought to trial, to govern or to administer government over.

"The standard" has these meanings (see below): a sentence, administer judgment, execute judgment.

Part of judging in this way is to bring an accusation. (See Revelation 12:9-10 below).

Crime  -> arraignment and trial (accusations made)  -> judgment  -> passing sentence (condemnation).

These are legal terms. In the context of Matthew 7:1-2, and the rest of its usage in the New Testament, these mean to bring to trial and to pass a judgment on someone. This is not discern, it is not "exercising good judgment."

Jesus is rebuking a VERY human tendency to judge others.

One way of thinking about these passages is not to seem them solely as commands to not do something (a negative command). But also to see them as positive commands. That is, in the command, God is giving us a gift, empowering us to be able to obey. He says to us, do not judge, and we gain, by grace through faith, the power to obey.

Revelation 12:9-10 (NASB)

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

Mounce
These two are from Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament edited by William D. Mounce. Copyright ©2011 by William D. Mounce. Via Bible Gateway.

κρίνω (krinō)

Strong: G2919

GK: G3212

pluperfect, κεκρίκει (3 sg), pr. to separate; to make a distinction between; to exercise judgment upon; to estimate, Rom. 14:5; to judge, to assume censorial power over, to call to account, Mt. 7:1; Lk. 6:37; Rom. 2:1, 3; 14:3, 4, 10, 13; Col. 2:16; Jas. 4:11, 12; to bring under question, Rom. 14:22; to judge judicially, to try as a judge, Jn. 18:31; to bring to trial, Acts 13:27; to sentence, Lk. 19:22; Jn. 7:51; to resolve on, decree, Acts 16:4; Rev. 16:5; absol. to decide, determine, resolve, Acts 3:13; 15:19; 27:1; to deem, Acts 13:46; to form a judgment, pass judgment, Jn. 8:15; pass. to be brought to trial, Acts 25:10, 20; Rom. 3:4; to be brought to account, to incur arraignment, be arraigned, 1 Cor. 10:29; mid. to go to law, litigate, Mt. 5:40; in NT to judge, to visit judicially, Acts 7:7; 1 Cor. 11:31, 32; 1 Pet. 4:6; to judge, to right, to vindicate, Heb. 10:30; to administer government over, to govern, Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30

κρίμα (krima)

Strong: G2917

GK: G3210

judgment; a sentence, award, Mt. 7:2; a judicial sentence, Lk. 23:40; 24:20; Rom. 2:2; 5:16; an adverse sentence, Mt. 23:14; Rom. 13:2; 1 Tim. 5:12; Jas. 3:1; judgment, administration of justice, Jn. 9:39; Acts 24:25; execution of justice, 1 Pet. 4:17; a lawsuit; 1 Cor. 6:7; in NT judicial visitation, 1 Cor. 11:29; 2 Pet. 2:3; an administrative decree, Rom. 11:33