The word which James uses and which is translated as 'criticize' in the Good News Bible has the sense of speaking evil against others, or speaking slander against those who are not there to defend themselves. Paul uses the same verb in Romans 1 :30 and 2 Corinthians 12 :20, and it is also used in 1 Peter 2: 1. 'Back-biting' comes

 from jealous and cruel attitudes towards others. The warning of James in this passage reminds us of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7: 1-5. The reference to the Law may be taken to mean Jesus' great summary of the Jewish Law (Mark 12:29-32). 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength ... Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'