James 2:1-13

James 2:1-13

[1] brethren,  have  not  the faith  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the Lord of glory,  with  respect of persons.  [2] For  if  there come  unto  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  Sit  thou  here  in a good place;  and  say  to the poor,  Stand  thou  there,  or  sit  here  under  footstool:  [4] not  then  partial  in  yourselves,  and  are become  judges  of evil  thoughts?  [5] Hearken,  beloved  brethren,  not  God  chosen  the poor  world  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of the kingdom  which  he hath promised  to them that love  him?  [6] But  have despised  the poor.  not  rich men  oppress  and  draw  before  the judgment seats?  [7] not  they  blaspheme  that worthy  name  by  are called?  [8] If  ye fulfil  the royal  law  according to  the scripture,  Thou shalt love  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,  not  commit adultery,  said  also,  not  kill.  Now  if  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;  rejoiceth against  judgment. 

What does James 2:1-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

James" previous reference to hypocritical religiosity ( James 1:26-27) seems to have led him to deal with one form of this problem that existed among Christian Jews of his day. It is still with us today. It is the problem of inconsistent love for other people that manifests itself in how we treat them. James wrote this chapter to exhort his readers to deal with this very basic inconsistency in their lives and so progress toward spiritual maturity.
"The connection of this warning against social discrimination with the previous ch1seems fairly obvious. Truckling to the rich and apathy or worse toward the poor are two sides of the same base coin rejected by the touchstone of James 1:27 and of James 2:8." [1]
"He [2] must show courtesy to all, compassion for all, and consistency to all. Equity, love, and fidelity are the vital ingredients." [3]