James 2:1 - Barnes' Notes

James 2:1

Beware of Personal Favoritism

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^athe Lord of glory, with ^bpartiality.

2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in¹ fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in² filthy clothes,

3 and you¹ pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”

4 have you not¹ shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: ^aHas God not chosen the poor of this world to be ^brich in faith and heirs of the kingdom ^cwhich He promised to those who love Him?

6 But ^ayou have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you ^band drag you into the courts?

7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are ^acalled?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ^a“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

9 but if you¹ show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as ^atransgressors.

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet ^astumble in one point, ^bhe is guilty of all.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

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James 2:1

My brethren - Perhaps meaning brethren in two respects - as Jews, and as Christians. In both respects the form of address would be proper.

Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ - Faith is the distinguishing thing in the Christian religion, for it is this by which man is justified, and hence, it comes to be put for religion itself. Notes, I Timothy 3:9. The meaning here is, "do not hold such views of the religion of Christ, as to lead you to manifest partiality to others on account of their difference of rank or outward circumstances."

The Lord of glory - The glorious Lord; he who is glorious himself, and who is encompassed with glory. See the notes at I Corinthians 2:8. The design here seems to be to show that the religion of such a Lord should be in no way dishonored.

With respect of persons - That is, you are not to show respect of persons, or to evince partiality to others on account of their rank, wealth, apparel, etc. Compare Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 28:21; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 10:17; II Chronicles 19:7; Psalms 40:4. See the subject explained in the Acts 10:34 note; Romans 2:11 note.

Other Barnes' Notes entries containing James 2:1:

Job 34:19
Matthew 22:15-22
Matthew 25:35-36
Acts 10:34
Romans 2:11
James 1:2
James 2:9
James 3:17

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Beware of Personal Favoritism

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

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