Lesson 05=====The Letter of James=====James 2:1-13
Last revised: 3/12/03

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The Greek Text
       1  jAdelfoiv mou, mh; ejn proswpolhmyivai" e[cete th;n pivstin tou' kurivou hJmw'n !Ihsou' Cristou' th'" dovxh". 2 eja;n ga;r eijsevlqh/ eij" sunagwgh;n uJmw'n ajnh;r crusodaktuvlio" ejn ejsqh'ti lampra'/, eijsevlqh/ de; kai; ptwco;" ejn rJupara'/ ejsqh'ti, 3 ejpiblevyhte de; ejpi; to;n forou'nta th;n ejsqh'ta th;n lampra;n kai; ei[phte, Su; kavqou w|de kalw'", kai; tw'/ ptwcw'/ ei[phte, Su; sth'qi ejkei' h] kavqou uJpo; to; uJpopovdiovn mou, 4 ouj diekrivqhte ejn eJautoi'" kai; ejgevnesqe kritai; dialogismw'n ponhrw'n;

        5  jAkouvsate, ajdelfoiv mou ajgaphtoiv. oujc oJ qeo;" ejxelevxato tou;" ptwcou;" tw'/ kovsmw/ plousivou" ejn pivstei kai; klhronovmou" th'" basileiva" h|" ejphggeivlato toi'" ajgapw'sin aujtovn; 6 uJmei'" de; hjtimavsate to;n ptwcovn. oujc oiJ plouvsioi katadunasteuvousin uJmw'n kai; aujtoi; e&lkousin uJma'" eij" krithvria; 7 oujk aujtoi; blasfhmou'sin to; kalo;n o[noma to; ejpiklhqe;n ejf j uJma'";  8 eij mevntoi novmon telei'te basiliko;n kata; th;n grafhvn,  jAgaphvsei" to;n plhsivon sou wJ" seautovn, kalw'" poiei'te. 9 eij de; proswpolhmptei'te aJmartivan ejrgavzesqe ejlegcovmenoi uJpo; tou' novmou wJ" parabavtai. 10 o&sti" ga;r o&lon to;n novmon thrhvsh/ ptaivsh/ de; ejn eJniv, gevgonen pavntwn e[noco". 11 oJ ga;r eijpwvn, Mh; moiceuvsh/", ei\pen kaiv, Mh; foneuvsh/".  eij de; ouj moiceuvei" foneuvei" dev, gevgona" parabavth" novmou. 12 ou&tw" lalei'te kai; ou&tw" poiei'te wJ" dia; novmou ejleuqeriva" mevllonte" krivnesqai. 13 hJ ga;r krivsi" ajnevleo" tw'/ mh; poihvsanti e[leo". katakauca'tai e[leo" krivsew". 

Scripture Text Translations:

Form Oriented
Translations:
Mixed Method
Translations:
Content Oriented
Translations:
KJV
        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? 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.
RSV
        2:1 My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2:2 For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your asembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 2:3 and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "Have a seat here, please," while you say to the poor man, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 2:4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
        2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren. 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? 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court? 2:7 Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name which was invoked over you? 2:8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well. 2:9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 2:11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," said also, "Do not kill." If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment.
NLT
        2:1 My dear brothers and sisters,F5 how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others? 2:2 For instance, suppose someone comes into your meetingF6 dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. 2:3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor" – well, 2:4 doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?
        2:5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 2:6 And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 2:7 Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? 2:8 Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself."F7 2:9 But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law. 2:10 And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God's laws. 2:11 For the same God who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder."F8 So if you murder someone, you have broken the entire law, even if you do not commit adultery. 2:12 So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. 2:13 For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you.


FOOTNOTES:
F5: Greek brothers; also in 2:5, 14. 
F6: Greek synagogue. 
F7: Lev 19:18. 
F8: Exod 20:13-14; Deut 5:17-18. 
NKJV
        1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you 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 not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 
        5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
NRSV
        1 My brothers and sisters,F9 do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?F10 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet,"F11 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
        5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.F12 Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
--------------------
FOOTNOTES:
F9: Gk My brothers 
F10: Or hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without acts of favoritism
F11: Gk Sit under my footstool 
F12: Gk brothers 

 

GNT
       2:1 My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. 2: 2Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. 2:3 If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, "Have this best seat here," but say to the poor man, "Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet," 2:4 then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives. 
         2:5 Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him. 2:6 But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich! 2:7 They are the ones who speak evil of that good name which has been given to you. 2:8 You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."R7 2:9 But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. 2:10 Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. 2:11 For the same one who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder.R8 2:12 Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. 2:13 For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.


COSS REFERENCES:
R7: 2.8 Lv 19.18. 
R8: 2.11 a Ex 20.14; Dt 5.18; b Ex 20.13; Dt 5.17.
NASB
       2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2:2 For if a man comes into your assemblyF30 with a gold ring and dressed in fineF31 clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 2:3 and you payF32 special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," 2:4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?F33
        2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor ofF34 this world {to be} rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personallyF35 drag you into court?F36 2:7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name byF37 which you have been called? 2:8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royalF38 law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. 2:9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the lawF39 as transgressors. 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole lawF40 and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 2:11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.F41 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 2:13 For judgmentR76will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphsF42 over judgment. 


FOOTNOTES:
F30: Or synagogue 
F31: Or bright 
F32: Lit look at
F33: Lit reasonings 
F34: Lit to the 
F35: Lit they themselves 
F36: Lit courts
F37: Lit which has been called upon you
F38: Or law of our King 
F39: Or Law
F40: Or Law
F41: Or Law
F42: Lit boasts against
NIV
        1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 
        5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 
        8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[1] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[2] also said, "Do not murder."[3] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! 
---------------
Footnotes
2:8 Lev. 19:18 
2:11 Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18 
2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17 
BBE
         1 My brothers, if you have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, do not take a man's position into account. 2 For if a man comes into your Synagogue in fair clothing and with a gold ring, and a poor man comes in with dirty clothing, 3 And you do honour to the man in fair clothing and say, Come here and take this good place; and you say to the poor man, Take up your position there, or be seated at my feet; 4 Is there not a division in your minds? have you not become judges with evil thoughts? 
        5 Give ear, my dear brothers; are not those who are poor in the things of this world marked out by God to have faith as their wealth, and for their heritage the kingdom which he has said he will give to those who have love for him? 6 But you have put the poor man to shame. Are not the men of wealth rulers over you? do they not take you by force before their judges? 7 Do they not say evil of the holy name which was given to you? 8 But if you keep the greatest law of all, as it is given in the holy Writings, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself, you do well: 9 But if you take a man's position into account, you do evil, and are judged as evil-doers by the law. 10 For anyone who keeps all the law, but makes a slip in one point, is judged to have gone against it all. 11 For he who said, Do not be untrue in married life, is the same who said, Put no man to death. Now if you are not untrue in married life, but you put a man to death, the law is broken. 12 Let your words and your acts be those of men who are to be judged by the law which makes free. 13 For the man who has had no mercy will be judged without mercy, but mercy takes pride in overcoming judging.


 

Click icon for diagram of Greek text.---Block Diagram---Click icon for diagramming instructions.
      2.1      My brothers,
(38)      stop trying to possess both prejudice and faith
                                                       in our Lord Jesus Christ
                                                                    the Glory

      2.2      For
                         into your church service
             if there comes a man
                                 wearing gold rings
                                      and
                                 dressed splendidly
                     and
                there also comes a poverty-stricken man
                                                       dressed shabbily
2.3                  and
                you give special notice
                       to the man wearing the splendid clothes
                     and
                --- say,
                        "Sit here in this appropriately good place,"
                     and
                       to the one in poverty
                --- say,
                        "You stand over there,
                              or
                --- sit on the floor by my feet,"
(39) 2.4 are you not discriminating among yourselves
              and
(40)     have become critics
                        with evil reasoning? 

(41) 2.5 Listen,
              my dear brothers!

(42)     Has not God chosen the poverty-stricken of this world
                         to be rich
                                      by means of faith
                                  and
                         -- -- inheritors 
                                      of the Kingdom
                                                which He promised to those loving Him?

     2.6      But
(43)     you have insulted these in poverty.

(44)     Do not the rich exploit you
              and
(45)     -- --- --- ---- themselves drag you
                                       into court?

(46) 2.7 Do not they slander that good name
                                          by which you are called?

     2.8      However,
               if you keep the royal law from scripture,
                               "You will love your neighbor as yourself,"
(47)     you do well;

     2.9      but
                if you show prejudice,
(48)     you commit sin,
                being convicted by the Law as transgressors.

    2.10      For
         whoever would keep the whole law
                            but
                   stumble in one point
(49)                                     stands guilty of all.

    2.11      Now
         He who said,
                     "Do not commit adultery,"
(50)                                        also said,
                                                          "Do not commit murder."

              But
                if you do not commit adultery,
                        but
                   --- -- commit murder,
(51)     you stand as a transgressor of Law.

(52)2.12 So speak
              and
(53)     so act
               as those going to be judged by the Law of liberty.
 

    2.13      For
(54)     judgment without mercy will be given
                                           to him
                                                 who did not show mercy;

(55)     mercy triumphs over judgment.
 

Summary:
        The rhetorical structure of this passage is rather easy to determine -- and becomes the basis not only for 2:1-13 but also for 2:14-26 as well. The author begins with a warning against seeking to combine faith and prejudice (core statement 38 in verse 1). Remember the foundational ancient Jewish axiom of true religion: the vertical (toward God) and the horizontal (toward others) relationships must work in harmony with one another; contradiction between these two negates both. This axiom is then illustrated negatively with the example of economic discrimination in Christian worship practices (core statements 39 and 40 in verses 2 through 4).
        In typical ancient rabbinic fashion, the author elaborates and defends both his warning and illustration in core statements 41 through 55 (vv. 5-13).
        The development of the defense begins with a chiastic pattern followed sequentially at the informal level: rich man (A, v. 2a, 3a); poverty-stricken man (B, v. 2b, 3b); the charge (C, verse 4); the poverty-stricken (B', vv. 5-6a); the wealthy (A', vv. 6b-7). In each segment of the second set (B' and A'), the contrast is between God's treatment of these individuals, and the initial Christian readers' treatment of these individuals. This provides the validation for the accusation of discrimination leveled in segment C, and comes as the first leg of the defense. This can be charted out as follows:
 

  • vv. 2a, 3a, - rich man
  • B   vv. 2b, 3b - poverty-stricken man
    • C  v. 4           - accusation of discrimination
  • B'  vv. 5-6a    - the poverty-stricken
  • A'  vv. 6b-7 - the wealthy
  • A - B
    Actions of discrimination described
    .
    .
    C Charge of discrimination leveled
    .
    B' - A'
    Validation of the charge

    The charge of discrimination rests on the hypocritical nature of the opposite ways of treating these two visitors at church who came from the opposite ends of the economic spectrum. The way they treated the rich visitor wasn't wrong, but in treating the beggar the opposite way, they erred profoundly from scripture principle. The second set of declarations (B' - A') carry the idea forward in a manner typical of the ancient step parallelism in the Jewish wisdom tradition.
           Verses 7-11, the second leg of the defense, attempt to answer an anticipated objection to the first segment of his elaboration in verses 5-6 regarding treatment of the wealthy. The author senses that an objection may be raised against his views with a self-justifying assertion that their treatment of the wealthy was according to scripture principle. The author first agrees with the treatment of the wealthy, but reminds his readers of another important scripture principle regarding the poor, which they ignored. The response argues that selective obedience to scripture principles won't work. It's comparable to trying justify murder by saying that no adultery has been committed. That is, one chooses to "love his neighbor" and disregards the divine mandate not to treat the poor with contempt. Both principles stand side by side in God's Torah.
            Finally, in verse 12, an application of his arguments is made in the form of a dual admonition to speak and act appropriately to what has been set forth. This admonition is reinforced with a warning about eschatological judgment in verse 13.
            Thus the passage divides itself into two basic units:

    Warning with reinforcing illustration: verses 2:1-4, core statements 38-40.
    Exposition: verses 5-13, core statements 41-55.
    Exegetical Issues:

    Literary Setting Questions:

    1.  By reading both 2:1-13 and 1:19-27, describe possible points of connection between these two passages.

    2:1-13 (NRSV): 1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
            5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

    1:19-27 (NRSV):  19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
            22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
            26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    2.  By reading both 2:1-13 and 2:14-26, describe possible points of connection between these two passages.

    2:1-13 (NRSV): 1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
            5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

    2:14-26 (NRSV):  14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
     


     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Study of 2:1-4

    3. Compare the above translations of verse one. Note especially the expressions "prejudice" and "the Glory." Describe similarities and differences.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    4. Describe what is prohibited by the warning in verse one.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    5. What is the status of the rich man in verses two through four? Church member? Christian visitor? Non-Christian visitor?
    For clues, compare the mention of the wealthy in the Letter of James.

    1:9-11 (NRSV). 9 Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, 10 and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.

    2:1-4 (NRSV). 1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

    2:5-7 (NRSV). 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

    5:1-6 (NRSV). 1 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

    Which understanding do these passages support?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    6. For an early Christian interpretation of 2:2-4, compare the views set forth in the Ethiopic Statues of the Apostles.

    And if any other man or woman comes in lay dress [i.e., in fine clothes], either a man of the district or from other districts, being brethren, thou, presbyter, while thou speakest the word which is concerning God, or while thou hearest or readest, thou shalt not respect persons, nor leave thy ministering to command places for them, but remain quiet, for the brethren shall receive them, and if they have no place (for them) the lover of brothers of of sisters, having risen, will leave place for them.
    ...And if a poor man or woman either of the district or of the (other) districts should come in and there is no place for them, thou, presbyter, make place for such with all thy heart, even if thou wilt sit on the ground, that there should not be respecting of the person of man but of God.

     
     
     
     
     

    7. Compare in the above translations the instructions to the poor man in verse three. What variations exist in the translations?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    8. Compare in the above translations the renderings of verse four. What variations exist in the translations in the two core statements below?

      (39) 2.4 are you not discriminating among yourselves
                  and
      (40)     have become critics
                               with evil reasoning?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Study of 2:5-13

    9.  Describe the nature of the contrast between the statements in 2:5b-6a. Use the above translations for insight.

      (42)     Has not God chosen the poverty-stricken of this world
                                to be rich
                                            by means of faith
                                         and
                                -- -- inheritors
                                            of the Kingdom
                                                      which He promised to those loving Him?
           2.6      But
      (43)     you have insulted these in poverty.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    10. What is the situation described in 2:6b-7? Compare 5:1-6 for insight.

       (44)     Do not the rich exploit you
                     and
       (45)     -- --- --- ---- themselves drag you
                                              into court?
       (46) 2.7 Do not they slander that good name
                                                 by which you are called?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    11. Describe the nature of the anticipated objection to James' views and how he responded to it in verses eight through eleven.

         2.8      However,
                   if you keep the royal law from scripture,
                                   "You will love your neighbor as yourself,"
    (47)     you do well;

         2.9      but
                    if you show prejudice,
    (48)     you commit sin,
                    being convicted by the Law as transgressors.

        2.10      For
             whoever would keep the whole law
                                but
                       stumble in one point
    (49)                                    stands guilty of all.

        2.11      Now
             He who said,
                         "Do not commit adultery,"
    (50)                                       also said,
                                                              "Do not commit murder."

                  But
                    if you do not commit adultery,
                            but
                       --- -- commit murder,
    (51)     you stand as a transgressor of Law.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    12. Describe the importance of the 'Royal Law' in the Bible.

    Lev. 19:18 (NRSV). You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

    Matt. 19:19 (NRSV). Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

    Matt. 22:39 (NRSV). And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

    Mark 12:31 (NRSV). The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.

    Luke 10:27 (NRSV). He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

    Rom. 13:9 (NRSV). The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

    Gal. 5:14 (NRSV). For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
     


     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    13. Compare the above translations of verse thirteen, especially of statement 55. What is this verse saying?

        2.13      For
    (54)     judgment without mercy will be given
                                               to him
                                                     who did not show mercy;

    (55)     mercy triumphs over judgment.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    14. What insights does Matt. 6:12, 14-15 provide in understanding statement 54?

    Matt. 6:12, 14-15 (NRSV). 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors....14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

     
     
     
     

    15. What insights do the passages below provide in understanding the idea of final judgment for believers?

    Matt. 7:15-23 (NRSV). 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
            21 "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'

    Matt. 12:33-37 (NRSV).  33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

    1 Cor. 3:11-15 (NRSV). 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

    2 Cor. 5:9-10 (NRSV).  9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
     
     
     


     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Application of the Text:

    1. Describe various forms of discrimination that occur in our society.
     
     
     

    2. How do you relate to other people? Especially, those who may be noticeably different from you?
     
     
     
     

    3. How does your church treat various kinds of people? Especially, when they visit the worship services?
     
     
     
     

    4. What is a typical attitude of very poor people toward Christianity today?
     
     
     
     

    5. What is a typical attitude of very rich people toward Christianity today?
     
     
     

    6. What parts of the Bible do you consciously ignore?
     
     
     
     

    7. What scriptural principles do you least enjoy trying to follow?
     
     
     
     

    8. How often do you reach out to others in concrete expressions of mercy and compassion?
     
     
     

    9. Do you think very often about facing God in final judgment and being held accountable for everything that you've said and did in this life?
     
     
     
     

    For Further Study:

    See the Bibliography listing for James under Bibliography, especially Individual Volumes and Articles.

    Lorin L. Cranford, "What About Your Faith? An Exposition of James 2," Southwestern Journal of Theology, fall 1986.


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