Matthew Poole and continuators on James 2:13

13 For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy ; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment .

Shall be Judged according to the rigour of the Law by pure Justice without any mixture of Mercy.

That hath been cruel and unmerciful to his Neighbour here.

Either, 1. the Mercy of God rejoiceth and glorieth over Judgment, being as it were superior and victorious in relation to those that shew Mercy, to whom the Promise of obtaining Mercy is made, Matth. 5.7. Or rather, 2. The Mercy of Men, i. e. of those that deal mercifully with others; their Mercy having the Mercy and Promise of God on its side, need not fear, but rather may rejoice, and as it were glory against Judgment, as not being like to go against them. Object. Is not this to make some ground of glorying to be in Men themselves, contrary to Psal. 143.2. Rom. 4.2? Answ. Mercy in Believers is an evidence o[illegible: 1 letter] their interest in God's Mercy, which prevails on their belief against his Justice; and so its rejoicing against Judgment is not against it, as overcome by it self, but by God's Mercy. Thus both senses are included.

Marginal references: Matth. 6.15. and 18.35. and 25.41, 42.; 1 Joh. 4.17, 18.; Or, glorieth.