James 2:1 kjv
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
James 2:1 nkjv
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
James 2:1 niv
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
James 2:1 esv
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James 2:1 nlt
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
James 2 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 19:15 | "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness..." | Impartiality in justice required. |
| Deut 1:17 | "You shall not show partiality in judgment..." | Leaders must be impartial. |
| Prov 28:21 | "To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will transgress." | Partiality is a moral failing. |
| Rom 2:11 | "For God shows no partiality." | God's character is impartial. |
| Eph 6:9 | "Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him." | God is impartial to all people. |
| Col 3:25 | "For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality." | God's judgment is fair and impartial. |
| 1 Tim 5:21 | "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels to keep these instructions without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality." | Instructions to avoid partiality in ministry. |
| Jude 1:16 | "These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they utter pompous words, flattering people for their own advantage." | Example of showing partiality for gain. |
| Jas 3:17 | "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." | Divine wisdom opposes partiality. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | True faith involves practical obedience. |
| 1 Cor 2:8 | "None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." | Christ is explicitly called 'Lord of glory'. |
| Psa 24:8-10 | "Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! ...The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!" | Old Testament depiction of God's glory. |
| Isa 6:1 | "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." | God's transcendent glory. |
| Rom 12:16 | "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited." | Humility over status. |
| Lk 14:7-11 | "When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor...For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled..." | Humility regarding social status. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance...man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'" | God's inner judgment, not outer. |
| Php 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves..." | Valuing others above self. |
| Jas 2:2-4 | "For if a man wearing a gold ring...come into your assembly...and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing...while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there'..." | Immediate context; specific example. |
| Mat 23:6-7 | "and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues..." | Warning against seeking status. |
| Gal 2:6 | "And from those who seemed to be important (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)..." | God's impartiality in ministry/calling. |
| Acts 10:34 | "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality...'" | Peter's affirmation of God's impartiality. |
James 2 verses
James 2 1 Meaning
James 2:1 is a direct command urging believers not to show favoritism based on outward distinctions when they uphold their faith in Jesus Christ, the glorious Lord. It highlights the inherent contradiction in professing faith in the impartial, glorious Christ while simultaneously practicing prejudice or showing deference to some over others, particularly based on social status or wealth. True faith in Christ demands the consistent practice of treating all people without prejudice or discrimination, reflecting God's own character.
James 2 1 Context
James chapter 2 serves as a pivotal passage within the epistle, elaborating on the outworking of true faith, which was introduced in James chapter 1:22 by stating that believers should "be doers of the word, and not hearers only." James 2:1 transitions from general exhortations about wisdom and self-control to a specific practical issue: favoritism within the Christian community. The subsequent verses (2:2-4) provide a concrete example of this problem—showing preferential treatment to the rich over the poor in their gatherings, which he labels as becoming "judges with evil thoughts." James challenges a shallow understanding of faith that relies merely on verbal profession without genuine, Spirit-prompted action and a transformed heart. Historically, showing deference to the wealthy was commonplace in Greco-Roman society and could easily infiltrate the early church, compromising its core values of equality and brotherly love rooted in Christ's teaching. James directly confronts this pervasive cultural practice, arguing its incompatibility with Christian faith.
James 2 1 Word analysis
- My brothers: (Greek: Adelphoi mou - ἀδελφοί μου) - A common, affectionate address used throughout James (e.g., Jas 1:2, 16, 19). It establishes a familial tone, emphasizing shared faith and community among believers. It highlights that the warning is internal, to the church itself.
- show no partiality: (Greek: mē en prosopolēmpsiais - μὴ ἐν προσωπολημψίαις) - The Greek term prosopolēmpsia is a compound word: prosopon (face) and lambano (to take/receive). Literally "receiving faces" or "taking the face." It signifies showing favor or discrimination based on outward appearance, social status, wealth, or other superficial criteria rather than a person's intrinsic worth or character. This practice is strongly condemned throughout Scripture. It implies a judgment made on superficial grounds, lacking fairness.
- as you hold: (Greek: echontes - ἔχοντες, participle of echō - to have/hold) - Not merely intellectually possessing or acknowledging the faith, but actively upholding, holding on to, or living out the faith. It implies a conscious, practical embrace and demonstration of one's belief.
- the faith: (Greek: tēn pistin - τὴν πίστιν) - Refers to the Christian faith, the body of truth believed by Christians, and also the act of believing. It's more than creedal assent; it signifies trust and allegiance.
- in our Lord Jesus Christ: (Greek: tou Kuriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou - τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) - This full title emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and saving work. "Lord" (Kyrios) connects Jesus to Yahweh of the Old Testament. "Christ" (Christos) acknowledges Him as the promised Messiah. Believers' faith is centered on His person and work.
- the Lord of glory: (Greek: tēs doxēs - τῆς δόξης) - "Glory" (doxa) denotes splendor, majesty, radiance, or renown. Attributing "glory" to Jesus aligns Him directly with God. It echoes Old Testament descriptions of YHWH, the "King of glory" (Psa 24:8-10). It signifies Jesus' divine nature, supreme authority, and perfect, unchangeable character. To show partiality in His name contradicts His glorious, impartial being.
James 2 1 Bonus section
The concept of "glory" for Jesus is highly significant. It’s not just an honorific title but a statement of His divine essence and authority. To refer to Jesus as the "Lord of Glory" invokes the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) where "Lord of Hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) or "God of Glory" often appear, directly linking Jesus to the unique, majestic attributes of Yahweh. Therefore, any partiality demonstrated by believers brings dishonor to the Lord Himself, as it misrepresents His character. True Christian faith must manifest itself in an inclusive, non-discriminatory love that mirrors the very nature of God, who judges righteously and loves universally without respect of persons. The demand for impartiality is thus deeply theological, not merely sociological.
James 2 1 Commentary
James 2:1 lays down a foundational principle for Christian conduct: the practice of the Christian faith is fundamentally incompatible with prejudice or favoritism. The command "show no partiality" immediately sets the ethical stage for what follows. It challenges the common human tendency to value people based on external indicators like wealth, appearance, or social standing. For the early Christian community, this was a radical call to counter societal norms.
The theological bedrock for this command is the identity of "our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." Christ, who Himself humbled Himself and came to all without bias, who embraced the poor and outcasts, and whose ultimate act of salvation was offered to all humanity regardless of status, cannot be simultaneously worshiped while His followers engage in discriminatory practices. His "glory" implies not only divine majesty but also moral perfection and complete impartiality. Any partiality among His followers denies the very nature of the God they claim to worship and the Lord they confess. James teaches that authentic faith, vibrant and living, produces actions consistent with the character of Christ, ensuring that the visible expression of the church genuinely reflects the invisible glory of its Head. Without this impartiality, one's faith becomes empty, or even hypocritical, undermining the integrity of the Christian witness. This verse acts as a gatekeeper: unless partiality is removed, one cannot truly live out the faith in accordance with Christ's glory.