My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
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;
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:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
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?
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
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.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2 is a pivotal chapter in understanding the practical outworking of genuine Christian faith. Building on the themes introduced in James 1, James 2 addresses the critical connection between belief and behavior, challenging believers to examine whether their faith is a living reality or merely an intellectual assent. This chapter provides practical guidance on how faith transforms our relationships, particularly in how we treat others, and emphasizes that true faith inevitably manifests itself in good works.
Avoiding Favoritism (James 2:1-13)
James begins by addressing the sin of favoritism within the Christian community. He urges his readers, "My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ" (James 2:1). Favoritism, or partiality, is a stain that the world can leave on us (James 1:27). It contradicts the very nature of the gospel, which welcomes all people regardless of their social status. James highlights the inconsistency of claiming faith in Jesus Christ while simultaneously showing preferential treatment to the wealthy and powerful.
Imagine a scenario James paints: a well-dressed, affluent individual enters the church alongside a poorly dressed, impoverished person (James 2:2-4). Giving the rich person a place of honor while relegating the poor person to a corner or the floor demonstrates a skewed value system. James argues that such distinctions reveal "evil thoughts" (James 2:4). It is making a value judgement based on unbiblical criteria such as race, class, or culture and acting inappropriately toward them. This kind of discrimination is illegitimate.
James reminds his readers that God often chooses "the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom" (James 2:5). Ironically, it is often the wealthy who oppress and exploit the poor, even blaspheming the name of Jesus (James 2:6-7). It’s not that all poor people are saved and all rich people are condemned. Rather, those who are destitute often recognize their need for a Savior. Likewise, those living proudly in wealth and comfort frequently miss their need for God.
Love should be the guiding principle for Christians. "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well" (James 2:8). James connects this to Jesus' teaching that the law is summarized in loving God and loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40). You can’t claim to love God while you hate your brother (1 John 4:20). Showing favoritism is not just socially unacceptable, it is sin (James 2:9).
James emphasizes the seriousness of this sin by equating it with breaking the entire law. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it" (James 2:10). If you’re condemned as a murderer, it does no good telling the judge that you’re innocent of adultery (James 2:11). If you’re hanging from a chain off the edge of a cliff, it doesn’t matter which of the links breaks because they’re all connected. The end result will be the same. If you practice discrimination against those made in the image of God, you’re guilty no matter how many rules you follow (James 2:10). Therefore, Christians are called to act with mercy, remembering that they too will be judged. "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law of freedom" (James 2:12). Everyone who enters our churches should experience them as environments of mercy and hope. Confess any partiality in your life and look for opportunities to show mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).
Faith and Works (James 2:14-26)
The second half of James 2 delves into the relationship between faith and works, a topic that has often been debated. James poses a crucial question: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" (James 2:14). James isn’t contradicting Paul, who said, “A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Paul is talking about how a sinner becomes a saint. James is talking about how a saint brings heaven to earth. You cannot merit salvation; it is received by grace through faith in Christ alone (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Our sanctification, however, requires that our faith express itself in works.
James illustrates this point with a practical example: encountering a brother or sister in need of food and clothing. Simply offering empty words of encouragement without providing any tangible assistance is useless. "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15-16). If a brother is hungry, he doesn’t need a sermon. He needs a ham sandwich! Put your faith in action by helping those in need.
James concludes, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). It’s possible to have a useless faith that’s not accomplishing anything in life. If you say you trust God, it should affect your feet. Once you become a Christian by faith alone, your faith has to get married to works. Then, what you believe about eternity will become real in your history.
To further illustrate his point, James introduces a hypothetical objector who claims to have faith while others have works. James argues that even demons "believe that God is one" and shudder (James 2:19). This intellectual assent, however, does not lead to salvation or a transformed life. If you want to understand the strength of your faith, look at what you do. Belief was demonstrated by what they did.
James then cites two Old Testament examples: Abraham and Rahab. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice demonstrated the genuineness of his faith (James 2:21-23). This activity didn’t save the patriarch; after all, Abraham had already believed God and had his faith credited “as righteousness” in Genesis 15:6. It’s in Genesis 22 that God called him to sacrifice his son. When Abraham obeyed, God confirmed his intent to bless him on earth and make a great nation of him (Genesis 22:15-18). By works, his faith was made complete or matured (James 2:22). Faith must be demonstrated, not just discussed, to be beneficial in history. A person is justified by faith alone apart from works for heaven, but he is justified by works for usefulness on earth (James 2:24).
Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, was justified by her actions when she protected the Israelite spies (James 2:25). She was justified by works that others could see—she helped Israel’s spies, evidencing the trust she’d already placed in God. This justification by works brought her deliverance and victory in history (see Joshua 2:8-19; 6:22-23).
James concludes with a powerful analogy: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26). The faith of a believer can atrophy, and we can become orthodox corpses unless our faith is put to work. Once we hear God’s Word, we must act on it to be transformed by it.
James 2 is a call to examine the authenticity of our faith. True faith is not passive or merely intellectual; it is active, transforming, and evident in our love for others and our obedience to God's commands. It challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, demonstrating the reality of our belief through our actions.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
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;
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:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
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?
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
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.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2 is a pivotal chapter in understanding the practical outworking of genuine Christian faith. Building on the themes introduced in James 1, James 2 addresses the critical connection between belief and behavior, challenging believers to examine whether their faith is a living reality or merely an intellectual assent. This chapter provides practical guidance on how faith transforms our relationships, particularly in how we treat others, and emphasizes that true faith inevitably manifests itself in good works.
Avoiding Favoritism (James 2:1-13)
James begins by addressing the sin of favoritism within the Christian community. He urges his readers, "My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ" (James 2:1). Favoritism, or partiality, is a stain that the world can leave on us (James 1:27). It contradicts the very nature of the gospel, which welcomes all people regardless of their social status. James highlights the inconsistency of claiming faith in Jesus Christ while simultaneously showing preferential treatment to the wealthy and powerful.
Imagine a scenario James paints: a well-dressed, affluent individual enters the church alongside a poorly dressed, impoverished person (James 2:2-4). Giving the rich person a place of honor while relegating the poor person to a corner or the floor demonstrates a skewed value system. James argues that such distinctions reveal "evil thoughts" (James 2:4). It is making a value judgement based on unbiblical criteria such as race, class, or culture and acting inappropriately toward them. This kind of discrimination is illegitimate.
James reminds his readers that God often chooses "the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom" (James 2:5). Ironically, it is often the wealthy who oppress and exploit the poor, even blaspheming the name of Jesus (James 2:6-7). It’s not that all poor people are saved and all rich people are condemned. Rather, those who are destitute often recognize their need for a Savior. Likewise, those living proudly in wealth and comfort frequently miss their need for God.
Love should be the guiding principle for Christians. "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well" (James 2:8). James connects this to Jesus' teaching that the law is summarized in loving God and loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40). You can’t claim to love God while you hate your brother (1 John 4:20). Showing favoritism is not just socially unacceptable, it is sin (James 2:9).
James emphasizes the seriousness of this sin by equating it with breaking the entire law. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it" (James 2:10). If you’re condemned as a murderer, it does no good telling the judge that you’re innocent of adultery (James 2:11). If you’re hanging from a chain off the edge of a cliff, it doesn’t matter which of the links breaks because they’re all connected. The end result will be the same. If you practice discrimination against those made in the image of God, you’re guilty no matter how many rules you follow (James 2:10). Therefore, Christians are called to act with mercy, remembering that they too will be judged. "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law of freedom" (James 2:12). Everyone who enters our churches should experience them as environments of mercy and hope. Confess any partiality in your life and look for opportunities to show mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).
Faith and Works (James 2:14-26)
The second half of James 2 delves into the relationship between faith and works, a topic that has often been debated. James poses a crucial question: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" (James 2:14). James isn’t contradicting Paul, who said, “A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Paul is talking about how a sinner becomes a saint. James is talking about how a saint brings heaven to earth. You cannot merit salvation; it is received by grace through faith in Christ alone (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Our sanctification, however, requires that our faith express itself in works.
James illustrates this point with a practical example: encountering a brother or sister in need of food and clothing. Simply offering empty words of encouragement without providing any tangible assistance is useless. "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15-16). If a brother is hungry, he doesn’t need a sermon. He needs a ham sandwich! Put your faith in action by helping those in need.
James concludes, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). It’s possible to have a useless faith that’s not accomplishing anything in life. If you say you trust God, it should affect your feet. Once you become a Christian by faith alone, your faith has to get married to works. Then, what you believe about eternity will become real in your history.
To further illustrate his point, James introduces a hypothetical objector who claims to have faith while others have works. James argues that even demons "believe that God is one" and shudder (James 2:19). This intellectual assent, however, does not lead to salvation or a transformed life. If you want to understand the strength of your faith, look at what you do. Belief was demonstrated by what they did.
James then cites two Old Testament examples: Abraham and Rahab. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice demonstrated the genuineness of his faith (James 2:21-23). This activity didn’t save the patriarch; after all, Abraham had already believed God and had his faith credited “as righteousness” in Genesis 15:6. It’s in Genesis 22 that God called him to sacrifice his son. When Abraham obeyed, God confirmed his intent to bless him on earth and make a great nation of him (Genesis 22:15-18). By works, his faith was made complete or matured (James 2:22). Faith must be demonstrated, not just discussed, to be beneficial in history. A person is justified by faith alone apart from works for heaven, but he is justified by works for usefulness on earth (James 2:24).
Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, was justified by her actions when she protected the Israelite spies (James 2:25). She was justified by works that others could see—she helped Israel’s spies, evidencing the trust she’d already placed in God. This justification by works brought her deliverance and victory in history (see Joshua 2:8-19; 6:22-23).
James concludes with a powerful analogy: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26). The faith of a believer can atrophy, and we can become orthodox corpses unless our faith is put to work. Once we hear God’s Word, we must act on it to be transformed by it.
James 2 is a call to examine the authenticity of our faith. True faith is not passive or merely intellectual; it is active, transforming, and evident in our love for others and our obedience to God's commands. It challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, demonstrating the reality of our belief through our actions.