1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
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;
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:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
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?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
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.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
1 My G3450 brethren, G80 have G2192 not G3361 the faith G4102 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 the Lord of glory, G1391 with G1722 respect of persons. G4382
2 For G1063 if G1437 there come G1525 unto G1519 your G5216 assembly G4864 a man G435 with a gold ring, G5554 in G1722 goodly G2986 apparel, G2066 and G1161 there come in G1525 also G2532 a poor man G4434 in G1722 vile G4508 raiment; G2066
3 And G2532 ye have respect G1914 to G1909 him that weareth G5409 the gay G2986 clothing, G2066 and G2532 say G2036 unto him, G846 Sit G2521 thou G4771 here G5602 in a good place; G2573 and G2532 say G2036 to the poor, G4434 Stand G2476 thou G4771 there, G1563 or G2228 sit G2521 here G5602 under G5259 my G3450 footstool: G5286
4 Are ye G1252 not G3756 then G2532 partial G1252 in G1722 yourselves, G1438 and G2532 are become G1096 judges G2923 of evil G4190 thoughts? G1261
5 Hearken, G191 my G3450 beloved G27 brethren, G80 Hath G1586 not G3756 God G2316 chosen G1586 the poor G4434 of this G5127 world G2889 rich G4145 in G1722 faith, G4102 and G2532 heirs G2818 of the kingdom G932 which G3739 he hath promised G1861 to them that love G25 him? G846
6 But G1161 ye G5210 have despised G818 the poor. G4434 Do G2616 not G3756 rich men G4145 oppress G2616 you, G5216 and G2532 draw G846 G1670 you G5209 before G1519 the judgment seats? G2922
7 Do G987 not G3756 they G846 blaspheme G987 that worthy G2570 name G3686 by G1909 the which ye G5209 are called? G1941
8 If G1487 G3305 ye fulfil G5055 the royal G937 law G3551 according to G2596 the scripture, G1124 Thou shalt love G25 thy G4675 neighbour G4139 as G5613 thyself, G4572 ye do G4160 well: G2573
9 But G1161 if G1487 ye have respect to persons, G4380 ye commit G2038 sin, G266 and are convinced G1651 of G5259 the law G3551 as G5613 transgressors. G3848
10 For G1063 whosoever G3748 shall keep G5083 the whole G3650 law, G3551 and yet G1161 offend G4417 in G1722 one G1520 point, he is G1096 guilty G1777 of all. G3956
11 For G1063 he that said, G2036 Do G3431 not G3361 commit adultery, G3431 said G2036 also, G2532 Do G5407 not G3361 kill. G5407 Now G1161 if G1487 thou commit G3431 no G3756 adultery, G3431 yet if G1161 thou kill, G5407 thou art become G1096 a transgressor G3848 of the law. G3551
12 So G3779 speak ye, G2980 and G2532 so G3779 do, G4160 as G5613 they that shall be G3195 judged G2919 by G1223 the law G3551 of liberty. G1657
13 For G1063 he shall have judgment G2920 without mercy, G448 that hath shewed G4160 no G3361 mercy; G1656 and G2532 mercy G1656 rejoiceth against G2620 judgment. G2920
14 What G5101 doth it profit, G3786 my G3450 brethren, G80 though G1437 a man G5100 say G3004 he hath G2192 faith, G4102 and G1161 have G2192 not G3361 works? G2041 can G1410 G3361 faith G4102 save G4982 him? G846
15 If G1437 G1161 a brother G80 or G2228 sister G79 be G5225 naked, G1131 and G2532 destitute G3007 G5600 of daily G2184 food, G5160
16 And G1161 one G5100 of G1537 you G5216 say G2036 unto them, G846 Depart G5217 in G1722 peace, G1515 be ye warmed G2328 and G2532 filled; G5526 notwithstanding G1161 ye give G1325 them G846 not G3361 those things which are needful G2006 to the body; G4983 what G5101 doth it profit? G3786
17 Even G2532 so G3779 faith, G4102 if G3362 it hath G2192 not G3362 works, G2041 is G2076 dead, G3498 being alone. G2596 G1438
18 Yea, G235 a man G5100 may say, G2046 Thou G4771 hast G2192 faith, G4102 and I G2504 have G2192 works: G2041 shew G1166 me G3427 thy G4675 faith G4102 without G1537 thy G4675 works, G2041 and I G2504 will shew G1166 thee G4671 my G3450 faith G4102 by G1537 my G3450 works. G2041
19 Thou G4771 believest G4100 that G3754 there is G2076 one G1520 God; G2316 thou doest G4160 well: G2573 the devils G1140 also G2532 believe, G4100 and G2532 tremble. G5425
20 But G1161 wilt G2309 thou know, G1097 O G5599 vain G2756 man, G444 that G3754 faith G4102 without G5565 works G2041 is G2076 dead? G3498
21 Was G1344 not G3756 Abraham G11 our G2257 father G3962 justified G1344 by G1537 works, G2041 when he had offered G399 Isaac G2464 his G846 son G5207 upon G1909 the altar? G2379
22 Seest thou G991 how G3754 faith G4102 wrought G4903 with his G846 works, G2041 and G2532 by G1537 works G2041 was G5048 faith G4102 made perfect? G5048
23 And G2532 the scripture G1124 was fulfilled G4137 which saith, G3004 G1161 Abraham G11 believed G4100 God, G2316 and G2532 it was imputed G3049 unto him G846 for G1519 righteousness: G1343 and G2532 he was called G2564 the Friend G5384 of God. G2316
24 Ye see G3708 then G5106 how that G3754 by G1537 works G2041 a man G444 is justified, G1344 and G2532 not G3756 by G1537 faith G4102 only. G3440
25 Likewise G3668 G1161 also G2532 was G1344 not G3756 Rahab G4460 the harlot G4204 justified G1344 by G1537 works, G2041 when she had received G5264 the messengers, G32 and G2532 had sent them out G1544 another G2087 way? G3598
26 For G1063 as G5618 the body G4983 without G5565 the spirit G4151 is G2076 dead, G3498 so G3779 faith G4102 without G5565 works G2041 is G2076 dead G3498 also. G2532
1 My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, `the Lord' of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;
3 and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool;
4 Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world `to be' rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?
8 Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
9 but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one `point', he is become guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.
13 For judgment `is' without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,
16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
18 Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from `thy' works, and I by my works will show thee `my' faith.
19 Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect;
23 and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.
24 Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.
25 And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot 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.
1 My brethren, hold not, in respect of persons, the faith of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 for if there may come into your synagogue a man with gold ring, in gay raiment, and there may come in also a poor man in vile raiment,
3 and ye may look upon him bearing the gay raiment, and may say to him, `Thou -- sit thou here well,' and to the poor man may say, `Thou -- stand thou there, or, Sit thou here under my footstool,' --
4 ye did not judge fully in yourselves, and did become ill-reasoning judges.
5 Hearken, my brethren beloved, did not God choose the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the reign that He promised to those loving Him?
6 and ye did dishonour the poor one; do not the rich oppress you and themselves draw you to judgment-seats;
7 do they not themselves speak evil of the good name that was called upon you?
8 If, indeed, royal law ye complete, according to the Writing, `Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,' -- ye do well;
9 and if ye accept persons, sin ye do work, being convicted by the law as transgressors;
10 for whoever the whole law shall keep, and shall stumble in one `point', he hath become guilty of all;
11 for He who is saying, `Thou mayest not commit adultery,' said also, `Thou mayest do no murder;' and if thou shalt not commit adultery, and shalt commit murder, thou hast become a transgressor of law;
12 so speak ye and so do, as about by a law of liberty to be judged,
13 for the judgment without kindness `is' to him not having done kindness, and exult doth kindness over judgment.
14 What `is' the profit, my brethren, if faith, any one may speak of having, and works he may not have? is that faith able to save him?
15 and if a brother or sister may be naked, and may be destitute of the daily food,
16 and any one of you may say to them, `Depart ye in peace, be warmed, and be filled,' and may not give to them the things needful for the body, what `is' the profit?
17 so also the faith, if it may not have works, is dead by itself.
18 But say may some one, Thou hast faith, and I have works, shew me thy faith out of thy works, and I will shew thee out of my works my faith:
19 thou -- thou dost believe that God is one; thou dost well, and the demons believe, and they shudder!
20 And dost thou wish to know, O vain man, that the faith apart from the works is dead?
21 Abraham our father -- was not he declared righteous out of works, having brought up Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 dost thou see that the faith was working with his works, and out of the works the faith was perfected?
23 and fulfilled was the Writing that is saying, `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;' and, `Friend of God' he was called.
24 Ye see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only;
25 and in like manner also Rahab the harlot -- was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?
26 for as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead.
1 My brethren, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Lord] of glory, with respect of persons:
2 for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,
3 and ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 have ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts?
5 Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?
6 But *ye* have despised the poor [man]. Do not the rich oppress you, and [do not] *they* drag you before [the] tribunals?
7 And [do not] *they* blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?
8 If indeed ye keep [the] royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.
9 But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one [point], he has come under the guilt of [breaking] all.
11 For he who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become transgressor of [the] law.
12 So speak ye, and so act, as those that are to be judged by [the] law of liberty;
13 for judgment [will be] without mercy to him that has shewn no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.
14 What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?
15 Now if a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one from amongst you say to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled; but give not to them the needful things for the body, what [is] the profit?
17 So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.
18 But some one will say, *Thou* hast faith and *I* have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and *I* from my works will shew thee my faith.
19 *Thou* believest that God is one. Thou doest well. The demons even believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and that by works faith was perfected.
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God.
24 Ye see that a man is justified on the principle of works, and not on the principle of faith only.
25 But was not in like manner also Rahab the harlot justified on the principle of works, when she had received the messengers and put [them] forth by another way?
26 For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
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.
1 My brothers, if you have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, do not take a man's position into account.
2 For if a man comes into your Synagogue in fair clothing and with a gold ring, and a poor man comes in with dirty clothing,
3 And you do honour to the man in fair clothing and say, Come here and take this good place; and you say to the poor man, Take up your position there, or be seated at my feet;
4 Is there not a division in your minds? have you not become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Give ear, my dear brothers; are not those who are poor in the things of this world marked out by God to have faith as their wealth, and for their heritage the kingdom which he has said he will give to those who have love for him?
6 But you have put the poor man to shame. Are not the men of wealth rulers over you? do they not take you by force before their judges?
7 Do they not say evil of the holy name which was given to you?
8 But if you keep the greatest law of all, as it is given in the holy Writings, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself, you do well:
9 But if you take a man's position into account, you do evil, and are judged as evil-doers by the law.
10 For anyone who keeps all the law, but makes a slip in one point, is judged to have gone against it all.
11 For he who said, Do not be untrue in married life, is the same who said, Put no man to death. Now if you are not untrue in married life, but you put a man to death, the law is broken.
12 Let your words and your acts be those of men who are to be judged by the law which makes free.
13 For the man who has had no mercy will be judged without mercy, but mercy takes pride in overcoming judging.
14 What use is it, my brothers, for a man to say that he has faith, if he does nothing? will such a faith give him salvation?
15 If a brother or a sister is without clothing and in need of the day's food,
16 And one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warm and full of food; but you do not give them the things of which their bodies have need, what profit is there in this?
17 Even so faith without works is dead.
18 But a man may say, You have faith and I have works; let me see your faith without your works, and I will make my faith clear to you by my works.
19 You have the belief that God is one, and you do well: the evil spirits have the same belief, shaking with fear.
20 Do you not see, O foolish man, that faith without works is of no use?
21 Was not the righteousness of Abraham our father judged by his works, when he made an offering of Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that his faith was helping his works and was made complete by them;
23 And the holy Writings were put into effect which said, And Abraham had faith in God and it was put to his account as righteousness; and he was named the friend of God.
24 You see that a man's righteousness is judged by his works and not by his faith only.
25 And in the same way, was not the righteousness of Rahab, the loose woman, judged by her works, when she took into her house those who were sent and let them go out by another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead even so faith without works is dead.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on James 2
Commentary on James 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
In this chapter the apostle condemns a sinful regarding of the rich, and despising the poor, which he imputes to partiality and injustice, and shows it to be an acting contrary to God, who has chosen the poor, and whose interest is often persecuted, and his name blasphemed, by the rich (v. 1-7). He shows that the whole law is to be fulfilled, and that mercy should be followed, as well as justice (v. 8-13). He exposes the error and folly of those who boast of faith without works, telling us that this is but a dead faith, and such a faith as devils have, not the faith of Abraham, or of Rahab (v. 14-26).
Jam 2:1-7
The apostle is here reproving a very corrupt practice. He shows how much mischief there is in the sin of prosoµpoleµpsia-respect of persons, which seemed to be a very growing evil in the churches of Christ even in those early ages, and which, in these after-times, has sadly corrupted and divided Christian nations and societies. Here we have,
Jam 2:8-13
The apostle, having condemned the sin of those who had an undue respect of persons, and having urged what was sufficient to convict them of the greatness of this evil, now proceeds to show how the matter may be mended; it is the work of a gospel ministry, not only to reprove and warn, but to teach and direct. Col. 1:28, Warning every man, and teaching every man. And here,
Jam 2:14-26
In this latter part of the chapter, the apostle shows the error of those who rested in a bare profession of the Christian faith, as if that would save them, while the temper of their minds and the tenour of their lives were altogether disagreeable to that holy religion which they professed. To let them see, therefore, what a wretched foundation they built their hopes upon, it is here proved at large that a man is justified, not by faith only, but by works. Now,