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WITHOUT PARTIALITY. James 2:1-7. 09/01/2024. #08.
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not [d]shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of 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. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
1. The sin of favoritism
a. James does not say to not show favoritism or partiality (respect of persons)
b. James says Stop showing favoritism! (present active imperative = stop doing what you do)
a1. The Jewish believers were showing the same judgment as the world
a2. The poor were disregarded and the wealthy were honored
c. Special deference to the elite of society was improper (worth is not measured by wealth)
d. Jesus, the apostles, and most of the OT prophets were men of little means
a1. The world would consider a man who was born in a stable and from Nazareth of being of little worth
a2. To honor what the world honors dishonors God (1 John 2:15-16)
e. If you give a wealthy man a seat of honor while relegating the poor (filthy dressed) man to sit on the floor, you dishonor the Lord who made him
2. Prejudice
a. James is not saying that being poor is spiritual and being rich is evil
b. The be prejudice (pre-judge) is a sin
a1. I Corinthians. 1:26-29 God chooses the lowly things of this world to confound the wise
a2. Matthew 19:23-24 wealth gets in the way of most rich coming to Christ
a3. I Samuel 16:7 outward appearance is deceiving (as with Samuel and David)
a4. GAL. 3:26-29 salvation is equal for all who believe, so there is no distinction among Jews, Gentiles, free, slaves, men, women…
a5. Each person deserves respect as ones created in the image of God
c. All judgment must be based upon biblical teaching
a1. I Corinthians 5 judgment of sin for correction
a2. II Corinthians 6:14-18 judgment of salvation for fellowship and association
a3. Romans 16:17-20 judgment of character for interaction
a4. 1 Tim. 3 judgment of qualifications for leadership and ministry positions
d. The wealthy man is to be treated no better or worse than anyone else
e. It is a natural trait to judge by appearance, but we must rebuke this tendency in us to show gracious deference to all people (Philippians 2:3; 4:5-7)
3. Not reciprocal
a. James uses a second illustration: is it not the rich to whom you defer that drag you into court?
a1. The wealthy tend to disdain and mistreat others below their social status
a2. By giving them special treatment you confirm their illusion of superiority
b. Our emphasis = spiritual, not worldly, value
a1. Rich and poor are equally lost
a2. Rich and poor equally need salvation
a3. Rich and poor believers are equally saved
c. Often, slaves were deacons and masters were lost
d. Heavenly wealth is different than worldly wealth
e. I Timothy 6:17-19 judge through eyes of heaven
Key Passage: Galatians 3:26-29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.