Connecting, Growing & Serving

Discrimination in the Church is wrong

Those who trust in Christ do not show favorites.

James 2:1–4 AV 1873

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your 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 unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

James 2:1 AV 1873

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

According to Pilar NT Commentary :

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James 1. Discrimination in the Community Is Wrong (2:1–7)

Describing Jesus as the Lord of glory suggests particularly the heavenly sphere to which he has been exalted and from which he will come at the end of history to save and to judge (cf. Jas. 5:9). This reminder is particularly appropriate in a situation where Christians are giving too much “glory” to human beings.

“glory” is the state of being Christlike.

Romans 2:11 AV 1873

11 for there is no respect of persons with God.

Ephesians 6:9 AV 1873

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Colossians 3:25 AV 1873

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

The take away here is that any personal exaltation of one person over another is evil.

James 2:1–7 AV 1873

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your 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 unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

Situational Awareness

James 2:2–3 AV 1873

2 For if there come unto your 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 unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

James 2:2–4 AV 1873

2 For if there come unto your 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 unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

The “if” clause calls for the reader to imagine, or suppose the situation.

James 2:2-4

Logical Conclusion

James 2:4 AV 1873

4 are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:4

The illustration is followed by a penetrating inquiry: Have you not discriminated among yourselves? The question in Greek assumes an affirmative answer. James’ brethren must plead guilty not only to discriminatory divisions but also to assuming the role of judges with evil thoughts of partiality.

Rich and Poor

James 2:5–7 AV 1873

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

Luke 6:20 AV 1873

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:27–28 AV 1873

27 but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

I Cor. 1:

Matthew 5:3 AV 1873

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 6:20 AV 1873

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James 1. Discrimination in the Community Is Wrong (2:1–7)

The kingdom, or reign, of God is central to the preaching of Jesus. He presented himself as the one through whom God’s reign was even then being realized (Matt. 12:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 17:21).

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James 1. Discrimination in the Community Is Wrong (2:1–7)

James’s general point in this verse, then, is clear enough: God’s choice of poor people to inherit his kingdom is evidence of his regard for them and shows how wrong Christians are to discriminate against these very poor people. But this argument raises a serious question.

Discrimination is not the Kingdom Way

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James 2. Discrimination Is Wrong Because It Violates the Kingdom Law of Love (2:8–13)

In vv. 5–7, James has argued that favoritism toward the rich at the expense of the poor is wrong because (1) it contradicts God’s regard for the poor; and (2) it makes no sense. The former reason is theological, while the second is more (but not completely) pragmatic. But the attention James devotes to the matter suggests that his third argument against such favoritism is the most important: it violates the law of love (vv. 8–13).

James 2:8–13 AV 1873

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy 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, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit 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; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

There is a choice to be made:

James 2:8–9 AV 1873

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy 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.

Matthew 22:37–40 AV 1873

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

“Who is my neighbor?”

Sin is Sin no matter what sin it is.

James 2:10–11 AV 1873

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Because sin is sin and all need forgiveness, treat everyone the same.

James 2:12–13 AV 1873

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; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:12–13

2:12–13. Total obedience is the key. One must both habitually speak and act (Gr. pres. tense imper.) as those to be judged by the Law. God’s Law, because of its wise constraints, brings true freedom (cf. 1:25). Disobedience to God’s Law brings bondage; and to those who have not been merciful, God’s judgment is without mercy. Just as love triumphs over prejudice, mercy triumphs over judgment. The verb “triumphs” or “exults over” (katakauchatai) appears only here, in 3:14, and in Romans 11:18.

God has ordained unalterable laws. Complete and consistent obedience is required if spiritual maturity is to be attained. The believer is commanded to accept his brother with courtesy, compassion, and consistency.

Serving is the outworking of our salvation.

James 2:14–26 AV 1873

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:14-

Expression of Faith

James 2:14–17 AV 1873

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Evidence of Faith

James 2:18–20 AV 1873

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Examples of Faith

James 2:21–26 AV 1873

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.