James: A Handbook on Holiness

Show No Partiality – Why You Need God's Law

James 2:1-7

General outline:

1. The Way to Holiness: The Divine Perspective 1:2-27

   1. The Trial-Temptation Complex 1:2-18

1. 1. The Word of God 1:19-27

2. The Principles of Holiness: The Biblical Framework 2:1-26

   1. The Law is the Structure of Holiness 2:1-13

      1. The Focus upon Partiality 2:1-7

         1. The Injunction against Partiality 2:1

         2. The Illustration of Partiality 2:2-4

         3. The Argument from Sanctified Sense 2:5-7

      2. The Nature of Partiality 2:8-13

   2. Faith is the Dynamics of Holiness 2:14-26

James 2:1-7

The Injunction against Partiality

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

The Illustration of Partiality

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?

The Argument from Sanctified Sense

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?

Discussion Questions:

1. V. 1 – James says "show no partiality." What can keep you from showing partiality? ________

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2. V. 1 – James calls Jesus (his brother!) "the Lord of glory." Why does Christ's glorious lordship give the church reason to "show no partiality?" ______________________________________

3. Vv. 2-4 – For what wrong reasons do we give some people special treatment? ______________

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4. V. 4 – Are all distinctions wrong? _________________________________________________

5. V. 4 – By what law do "judges with evil thoughts" judge? ______________________________

6. V. 5 – Why are poor Christians worthy of honor? _____________________________________

7. Vv. 6-7 – Why are rich unbelievers comparatively unworthy of honor? ____________________

8. By what principles should you honor a person in "your assembly," the church? _____________

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