The Meaning of James 2:7 Explained

James 2:7

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

YLT: do they not themselves speak evil of the good name that was called upon you?

Darby: And do not they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?

ASV: Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does James 2:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The rich not only typically oppose Christians, they also typically speak against Christ. This was true in James" world as it is in ours. It is inconsistent to give special honor to those who despise the Lord whom believers love and serve. To blaspheme or slander (Gr. blasphemeo) means to mock deliberately or to speak contemptuously of God. Perhaps those who were blaspheming Christ"s name were unbelieving Jews (cf. Acts 13:45). [1]

Context Summary

James 2:1-13 - Avoid Servility To The Rich
This sin of making distinctions in God's house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the divine Spirit departs. God's love is impartial, so far as outward appearances might affect it; and in His Church the only real differences must be those of humility, purity and righteousness.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," whether they be rich in this world's goods or not. But it is easier for a poor man to be rich in faith and an heir of the Kingdom, because he can give more of his attention to the things of the Spirit.
The law of love must be supreme with us; and we must love our fellows, whatever their position or property, as ourselves, for Christ's sake. If we fail in this, we show that we have never entered into the heart of the Christian faith. A man may observe all the laws of health; but if he inhale one whiff of poison he may die; so we may be outwardly obedient to the entire Decalogue, but delinquency in love will invalidate everything. [source]

Chapter Summary: James 2

1  Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13  rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14  and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17  because faith without deeds is useless;
19  as is the faith of the demons;
21  however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25  as did Rahab

Greek Commentary for James 2:7

Blaspheme [βλασπημουσιν]
Present active indicative of common verb βλασπημεω — blasphēmeō (from βλασπημος — blasphēmos speaking evil, βλαχ — blax or βλαπτω — blaptō and πημη — phēmē), as in Luke 22:65. [source]
The honourable name [το καλον ονομα]
“The beautiful name.”By the which ye were called (το επικλητεν επ υμας — to epiklēthen eph' humās). “The one called upon you” (first aorist passive articular participle of επικαλεω — epikaleō to put a name upon, to give a surname to, as Acts 10:18). What name is that? Almost certainly the name of Christ as we see it in Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:14, 1 Peter 4:16. It was blasphemy to speak against Christ as some Jews and Gentiles were doing (Acts 13:45; Acts 18:6; Acts 26:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Timothy 1:13). Cf. Acts 15:17. [source]
By the which ye were called [το επικλητεν επ υμας]
“The one called upon you” (first aorist passive articular participle of επικαλεω — epikaleō to put a name upon, to give a surname to, as Acts 10:18). What name is that? Almost certainly the name of Christ as we see it in Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:14, 1 Peter 4:16. It was blasphemy to speak against Christ as some Jews and Gentiles were doing (Acts 13:45; Acts 18:6; Acts 26:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Timothy 1:13). Cf. Acts 15:17. [source]
They [αὐτοὶ]
Emphatic. “Is it not they who blaspheme?” [source]
By the which ye are called [τὸ ἐπικληθὲν ἐφ ' ὑμᾶς]
Lit., which is called upon you; the name of Christ, invoked in baptism. The phrase is an Old-Testament one. See Deuteronomy 28:10, where the Septuagint reads that the name of the Lord has been called upon race. Also, 2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 4:1. Compare Acts 15:17. [source]
Worthy [καλὸν]
Rev., better, because stronger, honorable. By this epithet the disgracefulness of the blasphemy is emphasized. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 2:7

Acts 15:17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord [οπως αν εκζητησωσιν οι καταλοιποι των αντρωπων τον κυριον]
The use of οπως — hopōs with the subjunctive (effective aorist active) to express purpose is common enough and note αν — an for an additional tone of uncertainty. On the rarity of αν — an with οπως — hopōs in the Koiné{[28928]}š see Robertson, Grammar, p. 986. Here the Gentiles are referred to. The Hebrew text is quite different, “that they may possess the remnant of Edom.” Certainly the lxx suits best the point that James is making. But the closing words of this verse point definitely to the Gentiles both in the Hebrew and the lxx, “all the Gentiles” Another item of similarity between this speech and the Epistle of James is in the phrase “my name is called” (επικεκληται το ονομα μου — epikeklētai to onoma mou) and James 2:7. The purpose of God, though future, is expressed by this perfect passive indicative επικεκληται — epikeklētai from επικαλεω — epi̇kaleō to call on. It is a Jewish way of speaking of those who worship God. [source]
Acts 5:41 They were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name [κατηχιωτησαν υπερ του ονοματος ατιμαστηναι]
First aorist passive indicative of καταχιοω — kataxioō old verb to count worthy. Three times in N.T. (Luke 20:35; Acts 5:41; 2 Thessalonians 1:5). First aorist passive infinitive of ατιμαζω — atimazō old verb to make one dishonoured Forms here an oxymoron The apostles felt honoured by dishonour. Note the same use of “the Name” as in James 2:7; 3 Jo James 1:7. With the Jews this absolute use of “the Name” meant Jehovah. The Christians now apply it to Jesus. [source]
Romans 7:16 Good [καλός]
See on John 10:11, John 10:32; see on Matthew 26:10; see on James 2:7. Morally excellent. [source]
Romans 10:12 That call upon [ἐπικαλουμένους]
See on appeal, Acts 25:11; see on James 2:7. That invoke Him as, Lord: recalling Romans 10:9, Romans 10:10. Compare Joel 2:32. [source]
3 John 1:7 For His Name's sake [ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος]
His is supplied by the A.V. It is not in the text. Rev., correctly, for the sake of the Name. The Name (Jesus Christ) is used thus absolutely in Acts 5:41; compare James 2:7. For a similar absolute use of the way, see on Acts 4:2. See on 1 John 1:7. [source]
3 John 1:7 For the sake of the Name [υπερ του ονοματος]
The name of Jesus. See Acts 5:4; Romans 1:5 for υπερ του ονοματος — huper tou onomatos and James 2:7 for the absolute use of “the name” as in 1 Peter 4:16. “This name is in essence the sum of the Christian creed” (Westcott) as in 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 10:9. It is like the absolute use of “the Way” (Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23; Acts 24:22). [source]
Revelation 2:9 Rich []
In faith and grace. Compare James 2:6, James 2:7; 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Timothy 6:18; Luke 12:21; Matthew 19:21. [source]
Revelation 16:9 With great heat [καυμα μεγα]
Cognate accusative retained with the passive verb. Old word (from καιω — kaiō to burn), in N.T. only Revelation 7:16 and here. For blaspheming the name of God see Revelation 13:6; James 2:7; Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1. They blamed God for the plagues.They repented not (ου μετενοησαν — ou metenoēsan). This solemn negative aorist of μετανοεω — metanoeō is a refrain like a funeral dirge (Revelation 9:20.; Revelation 16:11). In Revelation 11:13 some did repent because of the earthquake. Even deserved punishment may harden the heart.To give him glory Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi almost result. For the phrase see Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:7. [source]

What do the individual words in James 2:7 mean?

Not they are blaspheming the good Name - having been called upon you
οὐκ αὐτοὶ βλασφημοῦσιν τὸ καλὸν ὄνομα τὸ ἐπικληθὲν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς

βλασφημοῦσιν  are  blaspheming 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: βλασφημέω 
Sense: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme.
καλὸν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
ὄνομα  Name 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐπικληθὲν  having  been  called 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἐπικαλέω  
Sense: to put a name upon, to surname.
ἐφ’  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.