The empty meeting room of a small stone synagogue in early light, plain stone benches along the walls and one cushioned seat at the front.

The Book of

James 2

Two visitors walk into church: one in gold, one in rags. James asks what our faith does next.

26 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1Tested faithJoy in trials; hear and do
2Living faithNo favorites; faith that worksChapter 2
3Wise wordsTaming the tongue; wisdom from above
4Humble heartsDraw near to God, not the world
5Patient hopeWait for the Lord; pray in faith

A Warning against Favoritism

My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.

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James

Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith

James 2:5

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

Reflect

Who gets the good seat?

James pictures a meeting where the rich man hears “Here is a seat of honor” and the poor man hears “You must stand.” Where do you notice yourself paying more attention to some people than others: at church, at work, online? Who might God be asking you to welcome this week?

If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

The royal law

Whiteboard

Favoritism isn’t a small slip. The royal law says “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and treating the poor as less breaks it. The law is one whole, because the same God said “Do not commit adultery” and “Do not murder.” Break one command and you have broken His law.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

James 2:13

Pray

Mercy triumphs

Thank God for the mercy He has shown you in Jesus. Ask Him to make you someone who speaks and acts “as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,” quick to show mercy, slow to judge, and fair to rich and poor alike.

Faith and Works

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead

James 2:17

Someone might ask

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.”

James

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

James

You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

James

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?

An old man and a boy, seen from behind, climbing a bare mountain path at dawn, the boy carrying a bundle of wood.

Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

Two who showed their faith

Whiteboard

Two very different people, one kind of faith. Abraham, the father of Israel, believed God and was counted righteous; years later he showed that faith by offering Isaac. Rahab, an outsider with a past, “welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route.” In both, faith was at work in what they did.

Question

Quick question

James points to Abraham offering Isaac. He says Abraham’s faith and his actions went together.

What does James say happened to Abraham’s faith through what he did?

James 2:26

You’ve experienced

James 2

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A verse to carry with you

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:26

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