James 2:1-13 - The Peril of Partiality
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
It is Sunday morning and the attenders of the city’s largest church begin to fill the seats of the sanctuary. The greeters are at the door saying hello to many of the familiar faces that they see week after week. The service is a few minutes away when a man pulls into the parking lot driving a luxury SUV that easily costs six figures. When he steps out of the car, one of the greeters notices how well dressed the man is, and that he is wearing a Rolex watch with diamonds all around the outside. They estimate that the watch also easily fetches six figures. As they begin to ponder the scene, it becomes apparent that this man is famous. He has actually starred in some of the most successful movies over the past few years. The greeters are falling over themselves trying to make sure this man gets the best seat in the house. They even go so far as to ask a few people to move over to make sure he has the best direct line of vision for the service. In a matter of seconds, the man is seated, given a coffee and water, and asked if there is anything else he might need. He is given a warm welcome from all of those around him. The greeters are even sure to grab the pastor to say hello to this VIP who has graced the church with his presence.
Two minutes later, a poor man walks toward the door. He is wearing well-worn clothes. He has calloused hands and appears exhausted. He has some obvious dirt on his face, and as he approaches it becomes readily apparent that he hasn’t showered in a few days. A couple of the greeters begin whispering amongst themselves that they need to make sure this guy isn’t anywhere near Mr. Movie Star. One of the greeters welcomes the poor man with a forced smile and directs him to a spot in the back that is far from the rest of the congregation. The greeter starts to tell the man that because of how full it is, he can just stand against the wall because he doesn’t want to see one of the nice, new church chairs ruined by this man’s smell - but a little conviction kicks in and he offers a chair albeit as far away from the rest of the congregation as possible - in the very back.
Church, what are your thoughts after hearing such a scenario? Unfortunately, although this is fictional, it is likely a common occurence across our world in many churches.
James is going to address this head on. This isn’t a social problem. This isn’t a manners problem. This is a sin problem.
And it was a sin problem occuring in the first century church that continues even today as we move through the 21st century.
With all that said, let’s dive in to our Scripture for today…
Read Full Scripture:
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?
Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Prayer
Today we are going to see four things we must recognize when it comes to the sin of partiality. The first is…
I. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Prohibition of Partiality (1-4)
I. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Prohibition of Partiality (1-4)
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James continues making it clear that he is writing to believers as he starts off with the phrase ‘my brothers.’ The issue at hand is an issue for the local church. It is a problem within the body of believers. And the way in which James writes this, it appears that this was becoming quite a problem for this young church.
What is this problem?
Partiality.
The Greek word translated ‘partiality’ refers to favoritism based on one’s worldly advantages.
It can be based on outward appearance, social status, financial well-being, political clout, among others. The literal word means to receive the face - namely meaning making judgments and distinctions based solely on the external observations.
James makes it clear that showing partiality is clearly in opposition of faith in Jesus Christ. Those who show partiality are acting inconsistently with the faith.
It is with this backdrop that James goes on to drop an even bigger theological hammer. Jesus is the Lord of glory - and He commands us to not show partiality.
Listen to some of these Biblical teachings against partiality:
To show partiality is not good…
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”
Jesus directly commands us to avoid judging based on outward appearances in John 7:24 as well. James certainly leads with a right hook here reminding us of our need to respect and revere the Lord Jesus Christ - namely the Lord of glory. He wants us to feel the weight of what he is teaching. And to further illustrate his teaching, James, being the practical teacher he is, gives us the following three verses:
For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
We are told that two men come in - one is dressed in fine clothing and has a gold ring - showing his affluence. The other is obviously poor and wearing shabby clothing.
Before moving forward:
What would your response to both of these men be if they walked into our service this morning? Would you show preference toward one over the other?
Let our story from the introduction begin to weigh on you for a few moments. See if you might struggle with judging based on externals.
Getting back to our verses, we see that these men are walking into an assembly. The Greek word here is not ekklesia as is commonly used in the New Testament for the church. Instead it is synagogue (seen-ah-go-hee) - namely synagogue - which likely shows just how early the book of James was written. Many scholars believe James to be among the earliest books written in the New Testament - written in the mid-40’s AD.
The word may have also been used to protect these first century Jewish converts from the Jews within Jerusalem. Many had been scattered due to persecution as we mentioned already. The church often had to meet underground in order to avoid this persecution.
Getting back to the scenario James has just given - we are given this hypothetical example of two men entering their church service.
This first man we are told is wearing a gold ring and fine clothing and is noticeably rich. It was common for the wealthy to wear many gold rings as a mark of wealth and social status. And the Greek word translated fine literally means bright or brilliant. It was often used to describe articles of clothing that stood out among others.
Then James contrasts this man with the poor man. He is wearing shabby clothing which literally refers to clothing that is filthy and dirty. This man’s clothing was likely roughly homemade and old. His garments were well-worn, and it was easy to tell that this man didn’t have any power or authority.
We are then told that those who greet these two men clearly show favor and special attention to the rich man over the poor man. The rich man is placed at a seat of honor while the poor man is not even given a seat at all. Instead he is dishonored in two ways. Not only is he refused a seat, he was also refused an opportunity to sit on a footstool. He was to sit by the footstool. Both men were set apart - one for honor and one for dishonor.
James wants to make it clear that by doing this, an evil judgment has been made.
Value has been placed on the one and devaluing has been placed on the other. James wants his readers to know that there is a problem in the hearts of those who judge in this way.
In fact, James uses the strongest of the three Greek words he uses for evil in his letter right here. The Greek word used for evil here is ponēros (pon-ee-arose) which refers to evil that has the utmost of vicious intent.
James is clearly teaching against discrimination here. Judging others by externals is ungodly and frankly - is sinful. We will see this expounded upon even further in the coming verses.
But in this first scenario and in our first point we have seen the prohibition of partiality.
True believers should see everyone through the eyes of Christ. We receive other believers not based on externals - but based on the internal! Believers aren’t to be valued more or less based on their worldly influence, fame, or money. Instead, we must value them not because who the world says they are but instead because of Who lives inside them.
In a similar way, we must also value unbelievers. Christ died for them. He desires to see them come to a saving knowledge of Him (1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 18:23, Ezekiel 33:11, Titus 2:11). Their lives have value because they are made in the image of God.
May we recognize the prohibition of partiality.
Next we see that…
Scripture References: Proverbs 28:21 Leviticus 19:15, Malachi 2:9, John 7:24, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 18:23, Ezekiel 33:11, Titus 2:11
II. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Problem with Partiality (5-7)
II. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Problem with Partiality (5-7)
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
God’s economy works differently. He doesn’t look at the outside. He looks at the heart.
God, in order to glorify Himself, often chooses the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. Consider the disciples that Jesus chose. Most of them were poor and without influence. Consider many those who came to Jesus while He ministered on earth or were referred to by the religious elites as sinners or the least of these.
It needs to be clearly stated the word for poor here goes much deeper than financial status. The Scriptures list poor who are spiritually poor as well as rich who are spiritually poor - as well as visa versa. One of the big points that we must recognize here is that it is true that the poor are much more likely to realize their spiritual need.
The rich can often buy their way out of their struggles. They can seek to find happiness - albeit temporary happiness - in things. They can even buy their way out of consequences at times.
Consider the amount of famous people who get out of penalties for DUI’s and other crimes because of their fame and money.
Jesus actually tells us the following:
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
This doesn’t mean that the rich person cannot be saved. Instead, it means that riches often keep them from it. It is impossible apart from the drawing and saving power of God for a rich person to be saved. This is the same power it takes for the poor as well. However, the poor man often sees his weakness much earlier than the rich. Humility is required for repentance, and so the poor man understands humility much more quickly than the rich man.
God blesses those who realize they have nothing apart from Him.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
God blesses the poor in spirit - those who realize that they bring nothing to the table. Those who realize their hope is found in Christ alone.
As many have stated before:
The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
Our worldly status means nothing at the foot of the cross. We are all unworthy beggars asking for the grace and mercy of our Savior.
Moving forward, James offers some practical insights to the problem with judging like the world judges - namely looking at worldly externals…
But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
James tells his readers to consider many of those who are rich. Are some not oppressing you or dragging you in court?
This Greek word for oppress means to exercise inordinate power over another.
Interestingly, this is true even today. The most likely people to pursue litigation are those with higher incomes. Perhaps this is largely because they can afford the attorney fees, and they also have connections with those who might take their case.
Then James takes it another step further…
Aren’t many of the rich blaspheming the honorable name - namely Jesus?
We also see this even today among many of the wealthy elites of our world.
Consider influencers such as Oprah who identifies herself as a Christian but believes that there are many paths to God.
On her show, she has famously said:
"One of the biggest mistakes humans make is to believe there is only one way. There are millions of ways to be a human being and many paths to what you call 'God'." She also shared, "I am a Christian who believes that there are certainly many more paths to God other than Christianity." - Oprah
She is not alone. Many other famous elites also espouse some form of universalism.
In fact, many influencers living in our postmodern world blaspheme God day after day. Through false teachings and supporting anti-Biblical agendas, we have many wealthy influencers who are opposing the Lord.
We need to understand the problem of partiality. When we idolize those who are living in opposition to the Lord, we are in a dangerous place, friends.
There are many believers in our world who exalt athletes, singers, actors, and others who are living lives full of blasphemy. This is nowhere more dangerous than when it comes to our children. Who do your children look up to? Who do they respect?
I pray that they see godly men and women as their role models and not ungodly famous singers and actors and sports stars.
I was laughing to myself this past week when thinking of a recent call that a couple of my kids (Alaina and Keyan) had. As many of you know, they have a YouTube channel called Torches of Truth - where they go to local parks and share the Gospel. My wife had written a thank you email to Ray Comfort and his group called Living Waters - which is an amazing evangelistic group by the way - because they had been such a wonderful influence on our children. Unexpectedly and graciously, Ray Comfort scheduled a quick call to encourage my kiddos. After this conversation, my kids were on cloud 9. I am almost certain they were more pleased and excited that Ray Comfort called them than just about anyone else. I think they would have been disappointed if LeBron James called instead of Ray Comfort!
Why is this? By God’s amazing grace, we have taught and modeled to our children what really matters. It isn’t fame or fortune. It is godliness.
Let’s be sure that our children see us exalting Christ and godliness as well. Let’s let them know the importance of having good discernment.
So far, we have seen that believers agree that the Scriptures prohibit partiality, that they realize the problem with partiality, and next we see that as believers…
Scripture References: Mark 10:25, Matthew 5:3
III. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Principle that Prohibits Partiality (8-11)
III. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Principle that Prohibits Partiality (8-11)
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
Now James brings to remembrance Matthew 22:39 - the second greatest commandment. After loving the Lord your God, we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourself.
How would we want to be treated?
Would we want to be treated the same no matter how we were dressed?
Would we want to be treated the same whether we were influential or not?
This great law is called royal because it is a supreme law from our sovereign God. It is absolute and perfectly holy. When the sovereign God issues this command, there is no questioning His great authority.
God commends those who follow this royal law. Jesus reminds us in John 14:15 that we show our love for Him by keeping His commandments.
The principle of the Law of God prohibits us in showing partiality. James is going to remind us that partiality is not just a small sin - it is a grievous sin.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
When we show partiality, we break the second greatest commandment. And by doing this we are committing sin and are transgressors of God’s law and commands. The Greek word translated transgressors means someone who willfully breaks God’s commands.
This is an important thing to understand. Partiality is sin - willful sin.
When we choose to treat someone differently just because of how they look, their financial situation, or their influence in our society, we are guilty of sin.
In fact, James mentions two of the ten commandments that are summarized in this second greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourself.
He does this to show the deep sinfulness of partiality. Why does James choose adultery and murder out of that list?
James likely chooses adultery because those who show partiality are being unfaithful to their God.
Partiality is a form of idolatry. By showing this extra favor to a rich person, one is valuing that person over God Himself. God sees this type of behavior as adulterous. The entire book of Hosea is dedicated to comparing the idolatry of Israel to Hosea’s adulterous wife - Gomer’s - behavior.
We must never value a person and his status above the Lord and His commands.
And next we see that…
James likely chooses murder because those who show partiality to one over another seemingly murder the dishonored person in their hearts.
The poor man in James’ example was neglected and devalued. He was viewed as dispensable or replaceable. He was treated as if his life didn’t matter.
This type of discrimination is a form of murder in God’s eyes.
James has now equated the sin of partiality with a couple of the biggest sins of the Bible - adultery and murder.
May we understand the important principle that prohibits partiality.
It is important to clarify something in this teaching, however.
This teaching doesn’t mean that we won’t have certain people that are closer to us. In fact, it would be impossible to treat everyone exactly the same in our lives. There are so many people that we would never have a deep relationship with anyone. We would not know who to assist and who not to assist.
So to help us with this:
The Bible gives us examples for spheres of care for those in our lives.
1 - Family
2 - Other Believers
3 - The World
1 - Family
For example, my wife is my favorite. I am rather partial to her! This isn’t a sinful partiality. This is a Biblical partiality. The Scriptures literally say that we are to be one together (Genesis 2:24).
Moving out from there, we see our need to care for our immediate family followed by our close relatives in 1 Timothy 5:8. It is actually sinful if we neglect our own family and don’t provide for them first before helping others. We are given a responsibility here. Jesus even condemned the religious rulers for neglecting to care for their parents under religious pretenses in Mark 7:9-13.
2 - Other Believers
Next, the Scriptures clearly delineate those who are believers versus unbelievers. We should help our brothers and sisters in Christ first. See Galatians 6:10.
This isn’t a sinful partiality. It is a Biblical mandate for us to care for those in Christ. Verses like Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-35, and James 2:14-17 remind us of our need to care for the needs of those among the body of Christ. We are also to serve one another, encourage one another, and love one another. This care begins within our own local church and moves to all believers in our world.
3 - The World
After this we are commanded to care for all others. Our neighbors, our community, the poor and least of these, and even our enemies.
Let’s be clear what James is addressing. He is addressing the sinful partiality based on superficial external worldly factors.
By showing this type of partiality, we are transgressors of God’s royal and perfect Law.
May we see the importance principle that prohibits partiality here and not participate in evil judgments.
And finally…
Scripture References: Matthew 22:39, John 14:15, Genesis 2:24, 1 Timothy 5:8, Mark 7:9-13, Galatians 6:10, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-35, James 2:14-17
IV. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Penalty for Partiality (12-13)
IV. As Believers, We Must Recognize… The Penalty for Partiality (12-13)
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
In these final two verses, James reminds us of our need for the Gospel - the law of liberty. The Law of God is a law of liberty, my friends. It is a law of freedom. Listen to Romans 8:1…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
What glorious liberty is seen in these verses! Though our sins were as scarlet - though our conscience was guilt ridden - we who are in Christ have been set free.
Writing to the church in Galatia who was struggling with legalism, Paul wrote…
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
These believers were not accepting the freedom that Christ offered. They continued to try to add works to salvation. They weren’t taking in the beautiful promise that Jesus offered in John 8:36…
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
We should understand and glorify God for the liberty and freedom that the Gospel offers to us. But we also should extend this wondrous mercy and grace to others as well.
We mustn’t become evil men and women, sitting in judgment over others by showing partiality based on our own superficial reasons. Instead, we must show mercy to all. We must treat all with love and kindness.
James teaches us that it is the merciful that receive mercy. This was taught by Jesus as well in Matthew 5:7:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
And the same concept was shown even in Proverbs 21:13:
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Let me make one thing clear here. We don’t show mercy in order to be saved. We who are saved show mercy. We show compassion. Why? Because we know what it is like to be shown that wonderful mercy from the Lord Jesus Christ who loved us so much that while were His enemies, He died on the cross for our sins. He offered salvation to us despite our sinfulness and failures.
And because of His great mercy and love for us, we are to love others and show mercy to them.
Favoritism, or partiality, shows at best a theological problem, and at worst a salvific heart problem.
We must understand the penalty for partiality. We must understand the sinfulness of it.
Because partiality isn’t just a sin problem - it is a Gospel problem.
Scripture References: Romans 8:1, Galatians 5:1, John 8:36, Matthew 5:7, Proverbs 21:13
Conclusion:
I want us to close with an account that will challenge us to be sure that we maintain an objection against partiality.
During the 18th century, John Wesley broke away from the Church of England and had to preach in graveyards and fields in order to preach the Gospel. He preached to the least of these. There were accounts of him preaching to thousands of coal miners and seeing many saved. This concept of the Gospel being for the common people ended up leading to the founding of the Methodist-Episcopal church.
Fast-forward some 100 years into the mid-19th century - William Booth, a Methodist teenager and lay preacher of Broad Street Methodist Church at the time, noticed that the least of these were not present in his church. One day, he brought a large group of poor residents from the slums into his church. His church was a clean, middle-class congregation and it was obvious that there was discomfort at the sight of this group of raggedly dressed individuals. The congregation and pastor reacted with disgust and rebuked Booth for doing such a thing. They resolved that the unkempt poor did not belong in pews and should use a separate back entrance should they return.
Booth, after continued friction with the church, departed and eventually co-founded the Salvation Army to be able to preach the Gospel to the poor.
Friends, may we be sure that we reject partiality. As we prepare to build a new building in the coming months, may we always remember that the church is the Lord’s and not ours. The church is a place where all who want to hear the Gospel are welcome. May we at CrossPointe always avoid the peril of partiality.
Like William Booth, may we be an army of people whose great purpose is to carry salvation through the land. May we preach the Gospel to all - despite any worldly externals.
