FocusLove, mercy, and judgment
Connection to the wholeFavouring the wealthy over the poor violates the royal law and exposes the inconsistency of the assembly's conduct.
interpretation James 2:11
KJVFor 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.
Read it in context
Partiality rebuked
Start reading at James 2:1 (James 2:1 to James 2:13).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Favouring the wealthy over the poor violates the royal law and exposes the inconsistency of the assembly's conduct.
- 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
- 2:2 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;
- 2:3 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:
- 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
- 2:5 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?
- 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
- 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
- 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
- 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
- 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
- 2:11 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.
- 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
- 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Who
- Who wrote the book? James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, is the named author. He is traditionally identified as James the Lord's brother and a leader of the Jerusalem church. Biblical references: James 1:1; Galatians 1:19; Acts 15:13. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (James 1:1–2:26): James addresses the twelve tribes in the dispersion as brethren, challenging them about trials, obedience, partiality in the assembly, and faith expressed in deeds. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The twelve tribes scattered abroad, as the greeting states; the letter addresses its hearers as brethren who hold faith in Jesus Christ. Biblical references: James 1:1; James 2:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Partiality rebuked. Read James 2:1 through James 2:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Favouring the wealthy over the poor violates the royal law and exposes the inconsistency of the assembly's conduct. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses trials and conduct among its readers without providing a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The twelve tribes scattered abroad are addressed; the exact place of writing is not stated. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Partiality rebuked (James 2:1 to James 2:13). Start reading at James 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter names the Lord Jesus Christ and insists that faith be shown in conduct. Its teaching about works should be read within its examples of claimed faith that fails to act. See James 1:1, James 2:1, James 2:17, James 2:18. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Be a doer of the word, control speech, reject partiality, and care for those in need. A verbal claim to faith is tested by the conduct the letter describes. interpretation
Cited: James 2:1, James 2:13, James 1:1, James 2:17, James 2:18
Who wrote it, and how we know
James, the Lord's brother
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:1
Early traditionTradition identifies him as James the Lord's brother, leader in Jerusalem.
What is debatedSeveral men are named James in the New Testament, so the identification rests on tradition.
Related passages
- Do not commit Exod 20:13-14 Deut 5:17-18 Matt 5:21-28 Matt 19:18 Mark 10:19 Luke 18:20 Rom 13:9
- Now Lev 4:2,13,22 Ps 130:3-4
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
James 2
James identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and addresses the twelve tribes scattered abroad. The letter tests professed faith by endurance, obedience, impartial love, controlled speech, and practical mercy.
James 1:1 James 1:22 James 2:17
Faith and works
James 2:14–26FocusA living response rather than empty profession
Connection to the wholeJames uses concrete need and scriptural examples to argue that faith is not properly separated from the works that express and complete it.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
James
James identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and addresses the twelve tribes scattered abroad. The letter tests professed faith by endurance, obedience, impartial love, controlled speech, and practical mercy.
James 1:1 James 1:22 James 2:17
Trials and God's gifts
James 1:1–18FocusEndurance, wisdom, and desire
Connection to the wholeJames distinguishes testing from temptation to evil and directs the readers toward God's generosity and their response under pressure.
interpretation FocusImpartiality and living faith
Connection to the wholeThe word received must shape conduct toward others; the extended argument refuses to separate professed faith from obedient works.
interpretation Speech, wisdom, and conflict
James 3:1–4:12FocusThe tongue and the heart's allegiance
Connection to the wholeTeaching about speech leads to contrasts in wisdom and a diagnosis of quarrels rooted in divided desires.
interpretation Humble plans and patient conduct
James 4:13–5:20FocusWealth, the Lord's coming, and prayer
Connection to the wholeThe closing movement addresses boasting, oppression, endurance, truthful speech, prayer, and restoring the wanderer.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.