My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. [2] For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine
clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes
in, [3] and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and
say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man,
"You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," [4] have
you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil
thoughts? [5] Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are
poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has
promised to those who love him? [6] But
you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you,
and the ones who drag you into court? [7] Are they not the ones who blaspheme
the honorable name by which you were called? [8] If you really fulfill the
royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself," you are doing well. [9] But if you show partiality, you are
committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. [10] For whoever
keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of
it. [11] For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said,
"Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have
become a transgressor of the law. [12] So speak and so act as those who are to
be judged under the law of liberty. [13] For judgment is without mercy to one
who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Questions for Reflection
1. For what reasons might a person think he or she is more important than another person?
2. Where do you see prejudice being practiced?
3. What practical example did James use to illustrate how favoritism was practiced in the church? (2:1-4)
4. What does the church do to the poor person when it shows favoritism toward the rich? (2:6)
5. What is the royal law found in Scripture? (2:8)
6. What does practicing favoritism do to a person who is trying to keep the law? (2:9)
7. By what standards should a person speak and act? (2:12)
8. In what ways have you been a victim of favoritism or prejudice?
9. How have you shown favoritism or prejudice toward other people?
10. Why do we often treat rich people as more important than poor people?
11. How do we use physical appearance, job status, and athletic ability to show favoritism toward people?
12. How can we welcome poor people in our church?
13. Why does God have a special concern for poor people?
14. In what practical ways can we show genuine love to people of different races, cultures, and economic standing?
15. Why is favoritism or prejudice often overlooked as a sin?
