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James Chapter 2 (WEB)

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James Chapter 2
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1 My brothers, don't hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality.

2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your assembly, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;

3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, \"Sit here in a good place;\" and you tell the poor man, \"Stand there,\" or \"Sit by my footstool;\"

4 haven't you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in 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. Don't the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?

7 Don't they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?

8 However, if you 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, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he has become guilty of all.

11 For he who said, \"Do not commit adultery,\" said also, \"Do not commit murder.\" Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.

13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?

15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,

16 and one of you tells them, \"Go in peace, be warmed and filled;\" and yet you didn't give them the things the body needs, what good is it?

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

18 Yes, a man will say, \"You have faith, and I have works.\" Show me your faith from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

19 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.

20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?

21 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, \"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness;\" and he was called the friend of God.

24 You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith.

25 In like manner wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What example does James use to illustrate favoritism in this chapter?
James pictures a congregation giving a good seat to a man with a gold ring and fine clothes while telling a poor man to stand or sit on the floor, calling this partiality evil judgment (vv.2-4).
What does James mean by 'faith without works is dead'?
Verses 17 and 26 both conclude that faith without works is dead, illustrated by someone who tells a needy person 'be ye warmed and filled' without giving them what they actually need (vv.15-17).
How does James use Abraham and Rahab in this chapter?
James says Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac (v.21) and Rahab the harlot likewise by works when she received the spies (v.25), both showing faith made complete through action.

Today's Verse

Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

Ezekiel 17:2 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

James points to Abraham offering Isaac and Rahab hiding the spies as proof that genuine faith always shows itself in action, concluding 'faith without works is dead.' That same demand for full obedience under the law is the weight Galatians 3:10 places on anyone under it, a tension James 3 addresses next.