Read & explore together
A Warning against Favoritism
James teaches that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ must not be joined to favouritism. He gives a simple example, then shows that partiality breaks neighbour-love and stands opposite to mercy.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
James addresses “my brothers” and speaks about conduct in “your synagogue”. He contrasts the treatment of a richly dressed man and a poor man in filthy clothing. From that example, he explains God’s regard for the poor, the royal law of neighbour-love, and the seriousness of coming under judgment.
James 2:1–13Main takeaway
James teaches that showing partiality is sin, so believers should speak and act with mercy rather than favouring people by status or appearance.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Faith must not show partialityJames begins with a command: do not hold faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality.
Explanation
James begins with a command: do not hold faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality. His example is direct. A well-dressed man is offered a good place, while a poor man is told to stand or sit by a footstool. The contrast exposes favour based on outward appearance.
02Partiality reveals wrong judgmentJames says this treatment shows partiality and makes them judges with evil thoughts. He then reminds them that God chose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom promised to those who love him.
Explanation
James says this treatment shows partiality and makes them judges with evil thoughts. He then reminds them that God chose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom promised to those who love him. Yet they have dishonoured the poor man.
03Honouring wealth ignores what James saysJames asks whether the rich oppress them, drag them before courts, and blaspheme the honourable name by which they are called.
Explanation
James asks whether the rich oppress them, drag them before courts, and blaspheme the honourable name by which they are called. In his argument, favouring the rich is not wise or faithful. Their behaviour should not be shaped by social standing when such actions are in view.
04The royal law calls for neighbour-loveJames quotes Scripture: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He calls this the royal law and says obeying it is good.
05Speak and act with mercyJames says that stumbling in one point makes a person a transgressor of the law, using adultery and murder as examples.
Explanation
James says that stumbling in one point makes a person a transgressor of the law, using adultery and murder as examples. So they must speak and act as people judged by the law of freedom. The passage ends with a warning about judgment without mercy and the words, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details in James’s example make the favouritism obvious?
02How does James say this behaviour treats the poor?
03How does James connect partiality with mercy at the end of the passage?
Read together the royal law, the conviction of sin, the call to speak and act, and the final statement about mercy and judgment.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
James 2:1–13
1My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality.
2For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in,
3and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool”
4haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
6But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you and personally drag you before the courts?
7Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?
8However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.
9But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
10For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12So speak and so do as men who are to be judged by the law of freedom.
13For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.