James 2:1-13 Lesson 439

James 2:1-13
Lesson 439

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

No favorites.

Look for the allegation in verse 2:4.

We are saved, not by our good works but by our faith.
The product of that faith is a changed life and the good works that follow.

What is -

The Royal Law (2:8) -
The Royal Law, sometimes called the Sovereign Law, is brotherly love. It is a more positive aspect of the Mosaic Law. While the Mosaic Law tells us not to kill, the Royal Law teaches us to love each other. While the Mosaic Law tells us not to steal, the Royal Law asks us to give to others. Not hating your neighbor isn't enough. The Royal law instructs us to love them. The Royal Law was first announced by Jesus in John 13:34 and reinforced in John 15:12 and Matthew 22:37-40. Paul repeated It in Romans 13:8 and Galatians 5:14. All the commandments depend on love (Romans 13:10). We are all learning together, so I would like to know your thoughts on the Royal Law.

Study Tip:

"Read the Bible with an open mind. Don't read into its passage's ideas that are not there. Try to search out fairly and honestly the main teachings and lessons of each passage."

Henry Hampton Halley, minister, and religious writer (1874-1965).

The General Epistle of James

The King James Bible

James 2:1-13
Favoritism

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

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

Margin notes:

"Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons" (2:1) - "You have no faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, if you show favoritism." God does not show favoritism (Job 34:19; Acts 10:34).

"In goodly apparel." (2:2) - "In expensive clothes."

"A poor man in vile raiment." (2:2) - "A poor man in old, filthy clothes."

"Gay clothing." (2:3) - "Nice clothing."

"Are ye not then partial in yourselves." (2:4) - "Aren't you showing favoritism among yourselves?"

"Judges of evil thoughts." (2:4) - "Judges with evil thoughts."

"Hearken." (2:5) - "Listen."

"Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom." (2:5) - To read Jesus' words on this subject, see Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6:20.

"Ye have despised the poor." (2:6) - "You have belittled the poor."

"Draw you before the judgment seats?" (2:6) - "Drag you into court."

"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (2:8) - From Leviticus 19:18 and repeated by Jesus in Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and Romans 13:8-9.

"If ye have respect to persons." (2:9) - "If you show favoritism to people."

"Convinced of the law." (2:9) - "Convicted by the (Royal) law."

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." (2:10) - According to the Mosaic Law, anyone breaking one commandment was guilty of violating all of them, and unless they repented, doomed to eternal death.

"For he that said, Do not commit adultery." (2:11) - "For God said do not commit adultery." One of the Ten Commandments. See Exodus 20:13-14 and Deuteronomy 5:18.

"Do not kill." (2:11) - Another of the Ten Commandments. See Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17.

"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." (2:12) - "So talk and behave like one who will be judged by the New Covenant."

"He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy." (2:13) - "He (God) will judge without mercy those that showed no mercy."

New Living Translation

James 2:1-13
A Warning against Prejudice

1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.

3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well,

4 doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?

6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

7 Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws.

11 For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.

13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Why is it wrong to show favoritism to the rich?

"God pursues us in our restlessness, receives us in our sinfulness, holds us in our brokenness."

(Pastor Scotty Smith from his book, "Objects of His Affection." Published by Howard Books, Brentwood, Tennessee)

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. It is wrong to show favoritism to the rich because -

A. It is inconsistent with Christ's teachings.
B. It results from evil thoughts.
C. It insults people made in God's image.
D. It is a by-product of selfish motives.
E. It goes against the biblical definition of love.
F. It shows a lack of mercy for those less fortunate.
G. It is hypocritical.
H. It is a sin.

(From the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; page 2481)

Application thought for the day:

Read Matthew 7:1-2, then ponder what the message of James 2:4 means to you.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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