mercy

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin terms that are typically translated as “mercy” (or “compassion” or “kindness”) in English are translated in various ways. Bratcher / Nida classify them in (1) those based on the quality of heart, or other psychological center, (2) those which introduce the concept of weeping or extreme sorrow, (3) those which involve willingness to look upon and recognize the condition of others, or (4) those which involve a variety of intense feelings.

While the English mercy originates from the Latin merces, originally “price paid,” Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Corsican, Catalan, Friulian) and other Germanic languages (German, Swedish, Danish — Barmherzigkeit, barmhärtighet and barmhjertighed, respectively) tend to follow the Latin misericordia, lit. “misery-heart.”

Here are some other (back-) translations:

See also steadfast love.

he who, whoever

The Greek that is typically translated with a generic expressions such as “he who,” “whoever,” or “if anyone” in English is translated with the plural form (“they”) in Daga. “A literal translation of these conveys the idea that one specific unnamed individual is being discussed. Thus, for instance, in John 5:24 ‘he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life’ meant in Daga that there was one fortunate individual to whom it applied.”

See also love your neighbor as yourself.

complete verse (James 2:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of James 2:13:

  • Uma: “For a person who has no love for his companion, the Lord will punish him with no love. But to the person who loves his companion, the Lord will also show him his love on the punishment day.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “For in this judgment, the person who hasn’t had pity/mercy on his fellow human-being, will also not be pitied by God. But the one who has pity/mercy on his fellow-man, does not need to be afraid of being judged.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For as for God, he in the future will not pity the person who has no pity for his companion. But as for the person, by contrast, who is habitually showing pity, he has no need to be afraid for God will not punish him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because the one who is not merciful to his fellow, neither will God show-mercy to him when he judges him. But as for the one who is consistently-merciful, he will have nothing to fear at God’s time-of-judging.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Because as for the one who isn’t (lit. doesn’t know how to be) gracious/merciful to his fellowman, he also won’t be shown grace/mercy when he is judged by God. But as for the one who is gracious/merciful, he doesn’t have to be afraid of anything at that time of judging.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Now the person who does not have compassion towards his fellowman will not have compassion shown to him when he is judged. But the person who has compassion will have nothing happen to him when he is judged.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on James 2:13

For judgment is without mercy: James adds a warning emphasizing that God will judge and condemn those who show no mercy. The verse is meant apparently to serve as a connection to verse 12 and a transition to verse 14. We can see a chiasmus (X structure) in this verse:

Quoted with permission from Loh, I-Jin and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Letter from James. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:13

2:13a

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why we should speak and act as it says in 2:12. We should speak and act mercifully (2:12a) because God will judge us without mercy if we are not merciful to others (2:13a).

judgment without mercy will be shown: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judgment without mercy will be shown is literally “the merciless judgment.” There is no verb in Greek here, so most languages will have to supply a verb. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the words will be shown to make the Greek phrase a natural English clause.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

• Use the verb “is” in the present or future. For example:

judgment is merciless (NET Bible)
-or-
judgment will be without mercy (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
on the day of judgment there will be no pity (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a verb that goes with “mercy” or “judgment.” For example:

God will not show mercy when he judges (Good News Translation)
-or-
God will render judgment without mercy

• Translate judgment as a verb. For example:

God will judge without mercy

judgment: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judgment is literally “the judgment.” It refers back to the fact that God will judge people (2:12).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God will judge you
-or-
God will decide if you are righteous or guilty

without mercy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as without mercy refers to God’s choosing to withhold mercy. When God evaluates and decides if a person is righteous or not, he will not show mercy when deciding.

The word mercy means to show kindness toward people who are in need. Here it specifically means kindness beyond what a person deserves.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

there will be no pity (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
without kindness
-or-
will not use grace (when he judges)

to anyone who has not been merciful: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to anyone who has not been merciful is literally “to the one who has not done mercy.” Here “mercy” refers to kindness shown to those who are suffering or in need, such as the poor believers mentioned in 2:1–6.

James was referring to an entire group of people. So in many languages, it may be more natural to translate this phrase in the plural. For example:

those who have not shown mercy to others.

merciful: Here the word merciful refers to the kindness that people show to their fellow human beings who are suffering or in need. Merciful people show this kindness whether or not their fellow human beings have offended them.

Here the sense of mercy is slightly different than the same word in the phrase “judgment without mercy.” There “mercy” refers to kindness that God shows to people who have offended him and deserve judgment/punishment.

What is common to both senses is the idea of being kind to people in need. If possible, you should try to use the same word or expression both times. If your language would normally use different words or expressions for these two senses, try to see if you can translate this in a way to show the connection between the two words. For example:

At the time of judgment, God will not be kind to those who have not been kind to others who are in need.

General Comment on 2:12a–13a

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the reason in 2:13a before the result in 2:12a. For example:

13aJudgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. 12aSo speak and act as those who are going to be judged 12bby the law that gives freedom.

2:13b

There is a contrast between 2:13a and 2:13b. The contrast is between judgment without mercy (2:13a) and mercy triumphing over judgment (2:13b). Verse 2:13a is something that no one desires. Verse 2:13b is desirable. In some languages, it may be natural to use a conjunction that shows contrast. For example:

but (Good News Translation)

Mercy triumphs over judgment: This is a type of proverb. It is stated in a few words using abstract nouns. In this proverb, Mercy is personified. This means that Mercy is spoken of as if it were a person. This person triumphs over his opponent. This means that he has victory over him.

Some ways to translate this sentence are:

• Translate this like a proverb and keep the abstract nouns mercy and judgment and the personification. For example:

Mercy triumphs over judgment. (God’s Word)
-or-
Mercy is confident when it confronts judgment.
-or-
Mercy is more powerful than judgment.

• Translate it like a proverb but without the personification. (There is an interpretation issue that comes into play in any attempt to make the meaning of this proverbial expression more explicit. The question is whether mercy refers to people showing mercy/compassion to others or to God’s mercy shown toward merciful people. The majority view (see, for example, Moo (2000), page 118; Ropes, page 202; Translator’s Handbook, page 81; SSA, page 72; New Living Translation (2004 Revision); New Century Version) is clearly that mercy refers to people showing mercy or compassion to others. This follows the same sense of mercy as it was last used in 2:13a “to anyone who has not been merciful.” It expresses in positive terms what 2:13a has expressed in negative terms, and it lines up well with other verses about mercy such as Matthew 5:7. The weakness of this view is that James’ choice of verb seems unusual to express such a meaning: mercy (shown by man) boasts/triumphs over God’s judgment. The minority view is found in Martin, page 72, and the Contemporary English Version.) For example:

The person who shows mercy can be confident on the day when God judges everyone.
-or-
A man who is merciful to others does not need to have fear on the day when God will judge people.

• Translate the meaning. For example:

If you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
When anyone is merciful to others, God will judge him with mercy.

Mercy: Mercy here probably refers to the kindness or compassion that a person shows to others who are suffering or in need. It refers to how believers should be treating poor people in their congregation.

The same word with the same meaning occurs at the end of 2:13a.

triumphs over: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as triumphs over probably means that a person is joyfully confident even though something threatens him. “Mercy” (personified) knows that it is superior to judgment and so is not afraid of judgment. In other words, a merciful person is not afraid that God will condemn him. For ways to translate this word, see the examples above.

judgment: Here judgment refers to God’s act of judging people. It has the same meaning as in 2:12a and 2:13a.

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