Episode 151 - "Show no partiality!" James 2:1-7
James 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 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, 3 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,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 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? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
In reading this, I was tempted to offer no commentary and only a simple prayer. The message is clear. Christians are not to show partiality based upon appearances or economic status. Let’s take a brief look at this, not to suggest that it means anything different, but rather to savor the nuances in James' message that it may make an impact in our lives.
As he has already done multiple times through the first chapter, he addresses his audience once again as “brothers.” (2:1) James is setting an example that he wants his readers to follow. James was a leader in the early church. However, he does not talk down to these fellow Christians. He treats them as fellow siblings in the faith.
The next thing that is not so obvious in our English translations is that James’ instruction in verse James 2:1 is actually an imperative (command): “Do NOT hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory!” What? Is James telling them NOT to have or hold faith in Jesus? Well, not exactly. He qualifies this imperative by prefacing it with “in partiality.” So, a better translation might read, “Do not hold faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with partiality.” (My interpretation) The point here is that showing partiality toward people based on their appearance or financial status is in direct contradiction to being a Christian.
In verse 2, he spells out what this looks like. Notice that he speaks of two men “coming into your assembly.” One of them appears wealthy and the other poor. The insinuation is that if these people are coming to worship with you, they are professing to be believers. This is an important note for what he will soon add. Verse 3 explains partiality as giving favor to the wealthy person while disregarding or even deriding the poor man.
James explains in verse 4 that in showing such partiality, you have “become judges with evil thoughts.” This is certainly not how the Lord wants to make us complete. It does not demonstrate wisdom or justice that James is telling them is consistent with God’s character.
In verse 5, James says, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?” This reveals the foolishness and evil in showing partiality. If God values the poor, who are we to treat them poorly?
James reminds these “brothers” that it is the rich (so-called) brothers who treat them poorly and oppress them through their financial power. (v. 6) In doing so, “they blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called.” (v. 7)
Do you see the connection there? A professing believer with means commits blasphemy if they use their power to oppress others. Yet, we are no different if we show partiality and disregard or deride others.
Prayer - Lord, humble us to treat everyone in the way that you treat us, with mercy and grace.