James 2
The author warns against showing favoritism to the wealthy and neglecting the poor, as this is contrary to God's will and the law of love. Those who claim to have faith but do not demonstrate it through actions are not truly justified, as faith without works is dead. The author cites the examples of Abraham and Rahab, who demonstrated their faith through their actions, to illustrate that faith and works are intertwined. Ultimately, judgment will be based on how one has shown mercy and lived out their faith in practice.
1My brothers, within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward persons2For if a man has entered your assembly having a gold ring and splendid apparel, and if a poor man has also entered, in dirty clothing3and if you are then attentive to the one who is clothed in excellent apparel, so that you say to him, "You may sit in this good place," but you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit below my footstool,4are you not judging within yourselves, and have you not become judges with unjust thoughts5My most beloved brothers, listen. Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those who love him6But you have dishonored the poor. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you through power? And are not they the ones who drag you to judgment7Are not they the ones who blaspheme the good name which has been invoked over you8So if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," then you do well9But if you show favoritism to persons, then you commit a sin, having been convicted again by the law as transgressors10Now whoever has observed the whole law, yet who offends in one matter, has become guilty of all11For he who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not kill." So if you do not commit adultery, but you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law12So speak and act just as you are beginning to be judged, by the law of liberty13For judgment is without mercy toward him who has not shown mercy. But mercy exalts itself above judgment14My brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works? How would faith be able to save him15So if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of food16and if anyone of you were to say to them: "Go in peace, keep warm and nourished," and yet not give them the things that are necessary for the body, of what benefit is this17Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself18Now someone may say: "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works19You believe that there is one God. You do well. But the demons also believe, and they tremble greatly20So then, are you willing to understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead21Was not our father Abraham justified by means of works, by offering his son Isaac upon the altar22Do you see that faith was cooperating with his works, and that by means of works faith was brought to fulfillment23And so the Scripture was fulfilled which says: "Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice." And so he was called the friend of God24Do you see that a man is justified by means of works, and not by faith alone25Similarly also, Rahab, the harlot, was she not justified by works, by receiving the messengers and sending them out through another way26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead
Share this chapter