James 2

Chap. II. Ver. 1—16. We must not despise nor neglect the poor.—The first question arising in this chapter is, Of what nature was the assembly here referred to? The original word is synagogue; and though that term may be used for any public assembly, yet we know that, in the Scriptures of both Testaments, a synagogue usually means a place of public worship. Because, however, the Jews often held judicatures in their synagogues, for the trial of petty causes amongst themselves, it has been doubted which kind of assembly is here referred to. Hammond and Whitby, with many others, think the reference is to civil meetings. Here, Dr. Macknight says, “your synagogue does not mean a Jewish synagogue, but the house or room in which Christians assembled for worship.

And as the Jews held courts of judicature in their synagogues, and there also a offenders by scourging, ((Matthew 10:17)) it is probable that the first Christians, after their example, held courts for determining civil causes in the places where they assembled for public worship.” As, however, the Doctor brings no proof of this, we venture to doubt the fact; and if the fact were proved, we should still doubt whether such were the meetings here intended. We think it much more probable, if not indeed certain, that the worshipping assemblies of these Jewish Christians are referred to by St. James; who appears to have been grieved and pained at witnessing the partiality shown, even on these solemn occasions, to the wealthy and the gay, however reprobate, and inimical to the principles of the gospel.

If we might venture to suggest an apology for this partiality, which seems to have been carried to a great extreme, one would hope it might be done with a view to conciliate their enemies; but it certainly ought not to have been accompanied by marks of contempt toward their poor brethren. Whether any hint might be borrowed from this admonition of St. James, for the better arrangement of seats in our churches and chapels we presume not to say. If seats are to be sold or let, it seems perfectly equitable, that those who pay the most should have the best: yet we cannot but think it would much grieve an apostle, if such there were in the present day, to see the oldest, and confessedly the most pious persons in a Christian congregation, seated on benches in the aisles, while all the best accommodations are preserved for persons of light and dubious, if not of profane character.

This is not loving all our neighbours as ourselves. This is not according to the royal law of our divine Master, who always dealt out his blessings to the poor; and his reproofs and censures, with the utmost impartiality, to the rich and proud. It should seem that these Jewish believers themselves were not altogether insensible to the impropriety of their conduct:

Notes on the verses

Ver. 25. But whoso looketh.—Macknight, “‘looketh narrowly.” The word properly signifies to stoop down to examine an object attentively, (as in (1 Peter 1:10).)—Into the perfect law of liberty—i.e. the gospel; into which, whoever looks attentively must see his blemishes and defects. Ver. 27. Pure religion and undefiled.—Archbishop Tillotson (whom Doddridge follows) considers these terms as alluding to the qualities of a precious stone, “clear and without flaw, or cloud,” as the technical term is. Chap. II. Ver. 1. The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.—Macknight, ‘The faith of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ;” i.e. of his divine rank and character; or it may be a Hebraism for “the glorious faith,” &c. Compare (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Ver. 2. With a gold ring.—Macknight, “With golden rings on his fingers.” —In goodly.—Doddridge and Macknight, “splendid,” &c. Ver. 3. In a good place.—Macknight, “honourably.” Ver. 4. Are become judges of evil thoughts?—Macknight, “Judges possessed of evil thoughts;” that is, as judges, they indulged evil thoughts against the poor. But Benson, who understands this, as we do, of worshipping assemblies, thinks the apostle meant to reprove the Jews, as showing more regard to the souls of the rich than of the poor. Doddridge, however, renders this verse thus, (omitting the interrogation:) “And distinguish not in yourselves: you even become judges who reason ill.”

But we prefer the more simple version of Wesley—“Ye distinguish not in yourselves, but are become evil-reasoning judges;” i.e. you judge erroneously. Ver. 5. Rich in faith—i.e. to be rich in faith—a common ellipsis with the writers. The apostle’s reasoning here seems to amount to this: “Your friends, and your Master’s friends, are chiefly among the poor; and your bitterest enemies among the higher classes.” Ver. 7. That worthy—Greek, “good.” Macknight, “excellent”—name—viz. the name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-10). Ver. 8. The royal law.—The Cyrene Greeks used to call the laws of the Persians royal, because ordained by kings. This refers to that law of Christ our King, which he calls eminently his. (John 13:34); xv. 12. Ver. 9. Are convinced.—Doddridge, “convicted.” See note on (Hebrews 11:1). Ver. 10. For whosoever.—While the Jews taught, that “He who transgresses all the precepts of the law, has broken the yoke, dissolved the covenant, and exposed the law to contempt; and so has he done who has only broken one precept,” they also taught, “That he who observed any principal command was equal to him who kept the whole law,” and gave for an example the forsaking of idolatry. To correct this false doctrine was the object St. James had in view.—Bagster.—Is guilty of all—i.e. he hath broken the law as a whole, and insulted the authority of the divine Legislator—God. Ver. 12. The law of ears, i.e.

the gospel, in which sense James has already used the term repeatedly. See (James 1:25); ii. 12. It is so called because it freed the Jews from the yoke of Moses, and it frees Christians from the slavery of sin. Ver. 13. Against—or triumphs over—judgment—in favour of those who have shewn mercy. The expression is clearly elliptical, and should in some such way be supplied. Ver. 14. Can faith save him?—i.e. such a faith as produces no good works. Doddridge. Macknight, “Can (this) faith save us?”