May 25 – James 2:1-13

Sin of Partiality

James 1 introduces us to the problem of the poor and the rich. Here in chapter 2 the warning is further developed regarding discrimination against the poor in favor of the rich, especially among the people of God. James shows the fundamental incompatibility of holding faith in Christ and showing partiality among people. We live in a culture of prejudice and here James says that prejudice cannot co-exist in a life of faith. “Favoritism” or “partiality” combines a group of terms signifying “to accept/judge according to face” and refers to favoritism shown on the basis of status in society.

James 2 illustrates that there are two types of people that could arrive at church: one with a gold ring and fine clothing, and another with shabby clothing. The wealthy person is told to sit in a good place, a place of honor, perhaps in the front, while the poor person is shown contempt and told either to stand (probably in the back). Those who make such distinctions show themselves to be judges with evil thoughts. Christians are not to “judge” each other and to do so can only mean one’s mind is consumed with evil “thoughts” (in the Greek “thoughts” can mean “opinions,” “reasoning,” or “conclusions”).

Verse 5 uses the language of election, James declares that the poor have a special place in God’s economy of salvation. They are rich in an eternal sense because they are heirs of the kingdom. This oppression, or exploitation, reflects a situation of radical social polarization in the first century, with merchants and landowners taking land and possessions from the poor (cf James 5:1-6). James challenges his Christian readers as to why they would honor the rich in the assembly when it is the rich unbelievers of the world who blaspheme the name of Christ. As frequently recorded in the OT, wealthy unbelievers often used the court system to steal from the poor.

Favoritism and discrimination are violations of the kingdom law of love. Partiality is the antithesis of the love command. Favoritism toward the rich breaks the OT commands to treat the poor equitably (see Lev. 19:15; Deut. 16:19; Job 34:19) and is a serious transgression of God’s law. The law was considered an interdependent whole, and any infraction constituted a breaking of the law as a whole. Jesus said, “not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished”. Thus favoritism makes one “guilty” or liable. In light of this judgment believers must speak and act in accordance with the law of liberty and with a view to the coming judgment.

True freedom is freedom to obey God and do what pleases him. The law of Christ provides freedom from sin through the gospel. In the context of James’s discussion of rich and poor, he may also be suggesting that God’s law will set the poor free from prejudice, oppression, and exploitation. Every Christian will be judged by God. For judgment is without mercy to one who has not shown mercy. This proverbial saying sums up the implications of vv.1-12 and is central to God’s law: what you do to others will be done to you in the judgment (i.e., rewarded for good and punished for evil). Mercy triumphs over judgment does not, in this context, mean that God’s mercy is extended to believers at the judgment. Rather, believers’ acts of mercy (e.g., caring for the poor and hurting) will mean that they are vindicated at the judgment. Mercy was an essential OT requirement for dealing with the poor. Mercy is likewise a requirement of believers in the NT, or they will experience God’s judgment rather than his mercy.