A little time with Scripture.
SCRIPTURE READER

James 2:1-9

World English Bible · Public domain

Open in Bible Gateway

James 2:1-9

1My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality.

2For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in,

3and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool”

4haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

6But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you and personally drag you before the courts?

7Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?

8However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

9But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

World English Bible (WEB). Public-domain translation. Publisher: eBible.org. Local WEB chapter text; additional external requests use bible-api.com.

A few questions for reading in context
  • Who is speaking, and to whom?
  • What is happening before and after this passage?
  • What kind of writing is this—poetry, narrative, letter, or another form?
  • What does the passage say before I consider how to apply it?