James 2

1 have (hold) not the faith, etc. Let not differences of worldly rank or circumstances, which are as nothing in presence of your Lord’s spiritual glory, affect your feelings towards your brethren in the faith.

2 assembly. The word here used is synagogue (“meeting-place”).

3 have respect to. Or, “look with respect upon.”

4 are ye not then partial in yourselves? Rather, as R.V., “are ye not divided in your own mind?” An illustration of the double-mindedness spoken of in i. 8: your religious theories are in contrast with your practice.

Judges of (having) evil thoughts. Making unjust distinctions.

5. Hath not God chosen the poor, etc.? God has chosen His people chiefly from among the poor, “to be rich in faith” (as R.V.: cp. 1 Cor. i. 26-28), but ye dishonour them (6).

6. Do not rich men oppress you (lord it over you)? For “draw” read “drag,” R.V.

7 that worthy name, etc. Lit., “the honourable name which has been called upon you”; the name of Christ: see Acts ii. 38; xi. 26; 1 Pet. iv. 16.

8 the royal law. In which the whole of the second table is summed up. Cp. Matt. xxii. 40; Gal. v. 14.

9 convinced. Or, “convicted.” The whole law rests on the authority of God; and he who violates a single precept is guilty of rebellion against Him.

11. For He that said, etc. The argument is from the unity of the Divine Lawgiver to the unity of the law; to offend against one part of the law is to break it as a whole.

12 the (a) law of liberty. See note on i. 25. As we are to be judged by the gospel, we must manifest its spirit of universal love; for (13) mercy alone can triumph over judgement; and mercy will be shown to none but those who show it; cp. Matt. v. 7; vi. 11, 14, 15; xviii. 21-25.

13 rejoiceth against. Rather, “triumphs over.”

17 being alone. Or, “in itself”; having no inward life or power.

19 that there is one God. Or (R.V.), “that God is one.” The special and distinctive article of Jewish belief.

thou doest well, etc. This belief is right; but if this is all, it is no better than the belief of “demons,” and it should make thee, as it makes them, to “tremble.”

20. But wilt thou know, etc.? The Scripture proof that there can be no true faith which does not produce good works, is seen in the histories of Abraham and of Rahab.

21. Abraham our father. Whose example is of the highest authority to us Jews.

22. Seest thou. Or, “Thou seest.” In the case of Abraham, faith co-operated with the works that sprang from it in securing his salvation; for faith cannot be perfectly developed without works.

25. Rahab. See Josh. ii. 2; Heb. xi. 31, and notes.

26 faith without works is dead. The teaching of this verse, and of ver. 24, is in perfect accordance with that of Paul in Rom. iii. 27, 28; iv. 1-8 (on which see notes); although the truth is here presented from an opposite point of view. Paul, arguing against those who, trusting in their own meritorious works, refuse to seek salvation as sinners by trusting in Christ, insists that such works are utterly worthless. James, opposing the notion that it is enough to hold a correct creed, without maintaining a life of practical godliness, insists that such faith is utterly worthless. But Paul also teaches that saving faith works by love (Gal. v. 6); and James that acceptable works are the fruit and evidence of faith (18).