James 2: 5-7 - The test of impartial Love (part 2) - The Sin of Partiality

Introduction

Read:

James 2:5–7 LSB

Listen, my beloved brothers: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and they themselves drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?

I heard this story from my mom and it perfectly color’s in what James is saying here:

Story

A tax inspector visited a very poor Christian one day to determine how much tax he needed to pay.

“What possessions do you have?” the collector asked.

“I am truly very rich,” the Christian replied confidently.

The inspector, curious, asked him to list his possessions.

The Christian smiled and began, “I have eternal life,” referring to John 3:16. “I have a home in heaven,” he added, quoting John 14:2. “I possess peace that surpasses all understanding,” he said, recalling Philippians 4:7. “I have unspeakable joy,” he continued, referring to 1 Peter 1:8. “I have love that never fails,” he added, referencing 1 Corinthians 13:8.

He went on, “I have a faithful and diligent wife,” quoting Proverbs 31:10. “I have healthy and obedient children,” he added, thinking of Exodus 20:12. “I have good and trustworthy friends,” he said, quoting Proverbs 18:24. “I have songs in the night,” he reflected, referring to Psalm 42:9. “And I have the crown of life,” he concluded, referencing James 1:12.

The tax inspector closed his book, amazed. “Sir, you are truly rich,” he said, “but your wealth is not taxable.”

Pray

The Context

James says ‘LISTEN’

Following the command and illustration found in the first 4 verses, James starts a ‘new line’ with the words “Listen, my beloved brothers”. Just as James emphasized the command in v1 with the direct address “brothers”. He does so again here, but this time more forcefully with the added imperative “listen”.

In english I don’t think this is as prevelant. But, in Afrikaans it’s quite common to hear a similar imperative. If a kid is naught, or if you are in some disagreement/fight with an Afrikaans guy, and you hear the words “Luister Hier”.... “PAUSE”.... Beacuse things just got very serious!

One comentator notes: James brings to ‘trial’ the self-constituted ‘judges’ (v4). Asif now in a ‘courtroom’ where evidence is presented. The apostle James now proceeds to show that the rich, as such, had no special claim on their favor, and that the poor in fact might be made more entitled to esteem than they were.

V1 - 4 Showed us that partiality is EVIL. We noted how it is contrary to the Character of our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ! And how as the Body of Christ, we need to reflect His character, which in this case specifically addresses favouritism.

But, by including beloved: This ‘harsh’ intro comes from a place of warm admonition and love for his brothers and sisters, aimed at the heart as well as the mind, given not only from the standpoint of truth but also from the standpoint of affection. As direct, practical, and incisive as this letter is, James is not a hard-hearted or disinterested purveyor of God’s truth. He clearly has a pastor’s heart, a passion not only for correcting but also for building up his fellow believers.

Here James is saying, in effect, “Think about it for a moment. To be partial to the rich and turn your backs on the poor cannot possibly correspond to God’s character or to His Word and will.” First, partiality is inconsistent with God’s divinely choosing the poor; and second, the rich, whom you tend to favor, not only do not usually respect you but are inclined to blaspheme your faith. When you go against the poor and outcasts, you go against those whom the Lord has specially chosen; and when you favor the rich, you often are siding with blasphemers.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1998). James (p. 106). Moody Press.

Therefore I think it’s appropriate for us to also ‘Listen’ (And as we’ve heard earlier, with the intent to DO it and not just forget) So I hope you take with you atleast 1 principle that you’ll trust God to work in you during this week.

And I would also like to remind you again. In the Bible the entire context and book needs to be considered. So just because we are in Chapter 2 doesn’t mean that chapter 1 should be forgotten. So if you just come to listen and you do not do. It’s useless. You will forget and there will be now spiritual growth. Additionally if you do listen and then do but you do not do what is worthwhile, and to all sometimes even sacrificially, your actions are worthless. Yes! It is a tall order, but salvation is free, discipleship will cost your life. James will get to the climax of his letter from v14 to 26 and specifically v 26 “Faith without works is DEAD!”

The Illustration (Character Development)

Following this opening James continues with his illustration and introduces to us more things about these 2 people.

The Poor Man

Here James is not talking about those who are humble (Poor in spirit) as what we find in Matt 5:3. This word here literally means: “those poor in respect to the world.” In contrast to “the rich in this world” (1Ti_6:17).

The poor here are:

The poor according to the world - physically poor

As with the beatitudes, Blessed are the poor, Although in matthew it is poor in spirit, in luke it is physically poor

James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus Rhetorical Questions about Poor and Rich (2:5–7)

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God’ (Luke 6:20). While Matthew’s version of the saying leaves the financial meaning of ‘poor’ unclear (‘poor in spirit’, Matthew 5:3), Luke’s contrast between the ‘blessed poor’ and the ‘cursed rich’ leaves us in no doubt

With a few notable exceptions, the first Christians came from among the socially poor: not the poverty-stricken class of slaves and beggars but the great mass of people one step above them—artisans, farmers, fishermen and so on. God chose to reach the world not from the top down but from the bottom up

In Jame’s day the Christians was mainly poor. Now not all of theme were. We do see there were wealthy among them. But in general and specifically because James is writing to the 12 tribes who are scattered. Now this also isn’t saying that to be a Christian you must be poor. That whole poverty gospel idea is just nonesense. We’ll look at that just now.

But the general idea here is, James is talking about the poor Christians, who are dispersed, ‘kicked out of their place’ persecuted. They are literally running for their lives as persecution sets in. But apart from the poor Christians, we see that there is a special place in God’s heart for the poor in general. And as Jews who were well versed with the law they would’ve known how precious the poor is to God.

The Rich Man

On the contrary, The rich man does not refer to the saved rich among them. The most likely group James was referring to would be the Sadducess. Because the Sadducees were wealthy, aristocratic, and very much secularized, and because they actively persecuted the early church, James may have been making specific reference to them.

The Setting (Problem Statement)

James continues with his initial thoughts from v1 -4 on the evil that is partiality. But, here he addresses and reminds the reader of 2 big thoughts.

The sin of partiality, and how it is present and shouldn’t be because it is SIN

Secondly, he reminds them of who the poor are, He gives them and us an understanding into the mind of God when it comes the poor, both poor christian and poor in general as a TEST of our faithful obedience to God.

He just mentioned how partiality makes them and us judges with evil thoughts. We have EVIL motives and desires.

Many times we simply run after riches, comforts, prosperity, earthly joy. As we’ve seen in verse 1:14 that our own evil lust just brings forth death. And in the case of the persecuted. Their lust for pleasure, prosperity, and comfort, by entertaining the rich man, would literally lead to death. Since they are the ones who oppress and put them in jail!

Let me pause here for a moment and ask you this: Are you guilty of the following? Or, Know someone that is guilty of the following: “Would go speak to a rich man, with the intent to get, either money, advice on how to make money, or just simply hang with them because it makes you feel more successfull and ‘proud’... If someone with wealth comes into our assembly, would you quickly connect, and maybe hope for some gain.

I remember my dad preaching on the rich young ruler. He said: “This would be a great guy to have in the church. He has money, influence, success etc. what a cool guy to have” Yet, when challanged to really give it all he folded and showed his true colors.

Would you show, no matter how big or small, partiality toward that rich man? If he asked you to come help him how eager would you be. COmpared to a poor widow?

True religion is if we ‘VISIT’ widows. And here James builds on that by saying do not show partiality toward the rich.

To convey this James gives us two points, which is also the outline for this morning:

Understanding the divine choice of the Poor

Understnding the evil blasphemy of the Rich

Exposition

James: Verse by Verse Questioning the Inconsistency (2:5–7)

James introduces it by reminding them of Jesus’ frequent challenge: “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9, 23; Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43). Behind this is the earlier mandate that to listen is to obey (1:19–22). It is time to stop the sin of prejudice once for all. Alertness and spiritual vigilance in this area must lead to a changed lifestyle. James is turning from the specific situation of favoritism in the worship service to the general “laws” governing all such types of discrimination.

The Inconsistency with God’s Character of favoring the rich over the poor in flagrant disregard of God’s clear mandate to care for the unfortunate is brought out by four rehtorical questions, all expecting the answer “yes.” The first two center on the poor, the latter two on the rich

V4, have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and becom judges with evil thoughts?

V5: Did not God Choose the poor of this world

V6 Is it not the rich that oppress you?

V7 Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?

And they could answer yes to each one of these. That is why he starts with LISTEN! Please see how ‘stupid’ you are.

Understanding The Divine Choice of the Poor

Who are the poor: important not

One comentary writes

With a few notable exceptions, the first Christians came from among the socially poor: not the poverty-stricken class of slaves and beggars but the great mass of people one step above them—artisans, farmers, fishermen and so on. God chose to reach the world not from the top down but from the bottom up. The Apostle Paul said something similar (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). How tragic and ironic, then, argues James, that believers would favour the rich and ‘dishonour the poor’. James does not mean that Christians are maligning the poor, verbally or otherwise; he means that by favouring the rich over the poor these Christians have effectively stripped the poor of the honour shown to them by God and his Messiah.

David declares, “How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble” (Ps. 41:1), and, “You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God” (Ps. 68:10; cf. 113:7).

In other words, if you take care of the poor, God will take care of you, because you reflect His heart.

Why then are you favouring the rich? Come on… LISTEN!!!

Solomon also warns that “he who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker” (Prov. 17:5) and “he who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered” (21:13; cf. 28:27; 31:9).

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (The Divine Choice of the Poor)

If we disdain the poor and fail to help meet their needs, we disdain God Himself. If our prayers are not being answered, we do well to take inventory of how we have treated those around us who are in financial straits.

Chose the poor

It is important for us to understand how important the poor are to God for us to fully grasp what James is saying when we read, Did God not CHOOSE the poor.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (The Divine Choice of the Poor)

Isaiah warned rulers: “The Lord enters into judgment with the elders and princes of His people, ‘It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing My people and grinding the face of the poor?’ declares the Lord God of hosts” (Isa. 3:14–15; cf. 10:1–3). The prophet Amos echoed that warning: “Thus says the Lord, ‘For three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because they sell the righteous for money and the needy for a pair of sandals. These who pant after the very dust of the earth on the head of the helpless also turn aside the way of the humble’ ” (Amos 2:6–7; cf. 4:1; 5:11–12).

as believers, we have been reborn with God’s own nature, we are to reflect His great love and care for those in need. That is the essence of who we are. To be otherwise is contrary not only to our own new nature but to the nature of God and therefore incurs His judgment. Jesus told the rich young man, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matt. 19:21). The main purpose of that encounter was to test the man’s willingness to follow Jesus at any cost. But the requirement Jesus made of him also reflects the Lord’s continual concern for the welfare of the poor.

As a missionary, and at times in hunger and in need. Paul reported that, when he and Barnabas were in Antioch, the church leaders James, Peter, and John “asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do” (Gal. 2:10). Some years later, he commended the churches in Macedonia and Achaia for their generosity in making “a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:26).

Rich in faith

Firstly Good Chooses the poor to be Rich in faith

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Divine Choice of the Poor

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He might nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. (1 Cor. 1:26–29)

Although most of His people will never be wealthy in material possessions, God assures them that they will be rich in faith;

To the point where the Taxman can only acknowledge the absolute wealth. But, it’s uselless to this earthly thinking.

I’ve seen more contentment, joy, faith, and trust in God from the poor than i’ve seen from the rich. No wonders we read in Proverbs 30:8–10 “Keep worthlessness and every false word far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, Lest I be full and deny You and say, “Who is Yahweh?” Or lest I be impoverished and steal, And profane the name of my God. Do not slander a slave to his master, Lest he curse you and you be found guilty.”

in Romans, Paul exults, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (11:33). He told the believers in Corinth that, as an apostle, he was poor in material things but had been privileged to make “many rich” in spiritual things, and that, “having nothing,” he himself possessed all things (2 Cor. 6:10).

Heirs of the Kingdom

Second, God choose[s] the poor of this world to be … heirs of the kingdom which He promised. Kingdom represents the entire sphere of salvation, all that it includes and implies. Here James describes the kingdom in its present sense of the sphere of salvation, those over whom Christ rules, as well as its future millennial and eternal glory. It is a basic biblical truth that calling someone into the kingdom is calling them to salvation, and vice versa. When the rich young man asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” He answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:16–17). Jesus then explained to His disciples:

Paul makes the same point in 1 Corinthians 1:27–28 to the opinionated and biased Corinthians that “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” Those who have nothing in this world are made the upper class of heaven in the sphere of faith. The first beatitude of Matthew 5:3 states that the “poor in spirit” have received “the kingdom of heaven.”

One comentator writes: Not only are the poor rich in faith; they are also heirs of God’s promises. It is the poor who will “inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him.” This builds on the remnant idea, with the poor who have little of the world’s goods destined to have eternal reward. The inheritance motif is a central teaching of Scripture. They don’t just have a place in God’s kingdom but an inheritance. The Romans were very careful about laws of inheritance. Two-thirds of the estate went to the older brother to guarantee the family dynasty continued. To God the poor who have spent their lives centering on him had an eternal future promised to them. The great reversal at the end of history would center on them.

Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.… Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. (Matt. 19:23–24, 28–30, emphasis added)

Jesus shows the unity of the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God, and eternal life. Reflecting the same basic reality, they each pertain to those who love Him, to those who have placed their faith in Him, who are thereby saved and who will inherit the fullness of God’s eternal heaven.

There will be no poor in heaven in any sense, no second-class citizens. Everyone will be rich in the things that matter eternally. Every believer will receive the same eternal life, the same heavenly citizenship in the kingdom of God, and the same perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to them by the Father. Every one of His children will live in His house and bask alike in His presence and love (John 14:1–3).

You have dishonored the poor man!

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Divine Choice of the Poor

But, James goes on to say, some of you, totally unlike God, have dishonored the poor man, despising and rejecting those whom the Lord has specially chosen. “How,” he asks in effect, “can you claim to be God’s child and yet think and act so differently from Him?”

Koppe reads this as an interrogation: “Do ye despise the poor?” Perhaps it might be understood somewhat ironically: “You despise the poor, do you, and are disposed to honor the rich! Look then, and see how the rich treat you, and see whether you have so much occasion to regard them with any peculiar respect.”

Or dishonoured, and reproached them, by showing respect of persons, in preferring the rich to them, and in distinguishing them in such a manner as was to their contempt and injury; which is a reproaching not only of them, but their Maker; and is in effect saying, that God has done either a weak or a wrong thing, in choosing them to be rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom, it being directly contrary to his conduct:

Understanding the evil blasphemy of the rich

James asks again. Don’t you eralize… Again he is like “COME ON!!!!” Can’t you see by now.

James (3) The Discrimination of God (2:5–7)

James could almost be paraphrased with the question: Whose side are you on, that of God and his chosen or the oppressors?

They Oppress you

The word oppress you also include Exploiting’ (katadunasteuō) has financial overtones

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Blasphemy of the Rich

Oppress is from the Greek term katadunasteuō, which means to tyrannize, to exercise inordinate power over others. Aren’t the rich the ones who take advantage of you financially and drag you into civil court to sue you and take all you have? Aren’t they the ones who belittle you and depreciate your human value?

Dragg you to court

This could include being boung by chains. etc.

Blaspheme the name by which you were called

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (The Blasphemy of the Rich)

Even worse, aren’t they the ones who blaspheme the fair/good/worthy name by which you have been called, depreciating your religious faith? The fair name, of course, refers to the name of Jesus, which was slandered and blasphemed by enemies of the church. “Don’t you realize that the rich profane the name of your Lord, promote civil and religious hostility, and cause you unbelievable hardship and misery?

James: Verse by Verse Questioning the Inconsistency (2:5–7)

Moreover, the second question shows that these wealthy Jews not only afflict the Christian poor; they also “slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear” (2:7 NLT). The term for “slander” is blasphēmousin, so these prejudiced Christians are not just badmouthing Jesus but actually participating in blasphemy against the Godhead. It is Christ’s “noble name [they] bear” that is mocked, and out of their foolishness these people slander that “noble name” of their eternal Lord and King.

They who persecuted Christians, would revile the name which they bore. This has always occurred. But besides this, it is no improbable supposition that many of those who were not disposed to engage in open persecution, would revile the name of Christ, by speaking contemptuously of him and his religion.

Application

How are you serving the body of Christ? Are you running after wealth to the point of discriminating the Body of Christ

God Called us to LOVE one another (we’ll look that that Lord willing next week)

How are we showing dishonor? How are we showing equal love?

Later in verse 12 James sums up what we need to do

First he showed us our problem (partiality) in all forms

Then he said LISTEN HERE let me remind you!

Then in verse 12 he says, SO! Speak and SO act as those who are to be judged (we’ll look at that later too)

But the idea here is Our WORDS (The man that can BRIDLE HIS OWN TONGUE) who show’s undefiled religion, should SPEAK and ACT without partiality.

Wheter it’s ‘Jokes’ or real talk, NO PARTIALITY should be seen in you! It is SIN (verse 9!)

Thinking the number of pigmentation in your skin suddenly earns you a higher position in society. And don’t sit and think for a moment it’s in only ‘white’ peoples minds, the world has just turned the tables around and now its the other way around. The SAME sin is being pushed into our churches, and Christian Communities just with a different approach. God is NOT PARTIAL

Don’t treat ANYONE with partiality!

Conclusion

By which you have been called emphasizes the believer’s personal relationship to and identity with Jesus Christ. Every reference to being “called” in the New Testament epistles refers to God’s effectual, saving call, by which He saves sinners (cf. Rom. 8:28–30). The very name Christian means “Christ’s ones,” those who belong to and identify themselves with Christ and have the great privilege of expressing His love and impartiality.

Given the world we are in, and my active thinking about partiality I’ve taken inventory of my own life. The nuances of partiality in my life jumped out at me.

Madadeni Hospital visit

Then what I heard afterwards, compared with my actual experience.

When i went to go buy something at the local shop the looks I recieved, The initial thoughts in my mind

‘Feeling out of place...”

‘Feeling unsafe’

Wondering to myself if I shouldn’t rather drive to town “Just for a water” The thoughts came up in my mind

I had to remind myself of what James said. It’s sooo easy for us to be caught in the deception and lies being thrown our way that when we think strictly Church it’s comprable. But in the real world?

Test yourself, I’ve done it to myself, it’s actually harder than you think. But test yourself and your thinking. In what ways are you showing forms of partiality because things aren’t good for you?

Jesus, Paul, or any of the apostles (with the occasional exception of Peter, until Paul rebuked him) showed partiality. Because there is none in God.