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.
My brothers, within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward personsFor if a man has entered your assembly having a gold ring and splendid apparel, and if a poor man has also entered, in dirty clothingand 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,are you not judging within yourselves, and have you not become judges with unjust thoughtsMy 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 himBut 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 judgmentAre not they the ones who blaspheme the good name which has been invoked over youSo if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," then you do wellBut if you show favoritism to persons, then you commit a sin, having been convicted again by the law as transgressorsNow whoever has observed the whole law, yet who offends in one matter, has become guilty of allFor 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 lawSo speak and act just as you are beginning to be judged, by the law of libertyFor judgment is without mercy toward him who has not shown mercy. But mercy exalts itself above judgmentMy brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works? How would faith be able to save himSo if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of foodand 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 thisThus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itselfNow 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 worksYou believe that there is one God. You do well. But the demons also believe, and they tremble greatlySo then, are you willing to understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is deadWas not our father Abraham justified by means of works, by offering his son Isaac upon the altarDo you see that faith was cooperating with his works, and that by means of works faith was brought to fulfillmentAnd 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 GodDo you see that a man is justified by means of works, and not by faith aloneSimilarly also, Rahab, the harlot, was she not justified by works, by receiving the messengers and sending them out through another wayFor just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead
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