James 2 WBT
Summary: James condemns partiality shown toward the rich and against the poor within the assembly, reminding readers that God has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith, while it is often the rich who oppress them and blaspheme Christ's name. He teaches that showing partiality is itself sin, and that breaking even one point of the law makes one guilty of all, urging believers to speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty, since mercy triumphs over judgment. The chapter's climax addresses faith and works directly: "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (v. 17), illustrated by Abraham's offering of Isaac and Rahab's hiding of the spies, concluding that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
2For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say to him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5Hearken, 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?
6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?
7Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
11For he that said, Do not commit adultery; said also, Do not kill. Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food,
16And one of you sayeth to them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18Also a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24Ye see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
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