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Scott's Reference Library
James 2:1 through James 2:17 (NIV)
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show
favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine
clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special
attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,”
but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil
thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of
the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who
love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting
you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the
ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as
yourself,” you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are
convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet
stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For 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.
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives
freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not
been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and
daily food. 16If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and
well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the
same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-13
Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons
on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not
agreeing with their profession of being disciples of the lowly Jesus. St. James
does not here encourage rudeness or disorder: civil respect must be paid; but
never such as to influence the proceedings of Christians in disposing of the
offices of the church of Christ, or in passing the censures of the church, or in
any matter of religion. Questioning ourselves is of great use in every part of
the holy life. Let us be more frequent in this, and in every thing take occasion
to discourse with our souls. As places of worship cannot be built or maintained
without expense, it may be proper that those who contribute thereto should be
accommodated accordingly; but were all persons more spiritually-minded, the poor
would be treated with more attention that usually is the case in worshipping
congregations. A lowly state is most favourable for inward peace and for growth
in holiness. God would give to all believers riches and honours of this world,
if these would do them good, seeing that he has chosen them to be rich in faith,
and made them heirs of his kingdom, which he promised to bestow on all who love
him. Consider how often riches lead to vice and mischief, and what great
reproaches are thrown upon God and religion, by men of wealth, power, and
worldly greatness; and it will make this sin appear very sinful and foolish. The
Scripture gives as a law, to love our neighbour as ourselves. This law is a
royal law, it comes from the King of kings; and if Christians act unjustly, they
are convicted by the law as transgressors. To think that our good deeds will
atone for our bad deeds, plainly puts us upon looking for another atonement.
According to the covenant of works, one breach of any one command brings a man
under condemnation, from which no obedience, past, present, or future, can
deliver him. This shows us the happiness of those that are in Christ. We may
serve him without slavish fear. God’s restraints are not a bondage, but our own
corruptions are so. The doom passed upon impenitent sinners at last, will be
judgment without mercy. But God deems it his glory and joy, to pardon and bless
those who might justly be condemned at his tribunal; and his grace teaches those
who partake of his mercy, to copy it in their conduct.
VERSES 14-26
Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of
evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men
have part in Christ’s righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls;
but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their
works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of
any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith. A bare profession may gain the
good opinion of pious people; and it may procure, in some cases, worldly good
things; but what profit will it be, for any to gain the whole world, and to lose
their souls? Can this faith save him? All things should be accounted profitable
or unprofitable to us, as they tend to forward or hinder the salvation of our
souls. This place of Scripture plainly shows that an opinion, or assent to the
gospel, without works, is not faith. There is no way to show we really believe
in Christ, but by being diligent in good works, from gospel motives, and for
gospel purposes. Men may boast to others, and be conceited of that which they
really have not. There is not only to be assent in faith, but consent; not only
an assent to the truth of the word, but a consent to take Christ. True believing
is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart. That a
justifying faith cannot be without works, is shown from two examples, Abraham
and Rahab. Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
Faith, producing such works, advanced him to peculiar favours. We see then, vs.
24, how that by works a man is justified, not by a bare opinion or profession,
or believing without obeying; but by having such faith as produces good works.
And to have to deny his own reason, affections, and interests, is an action fit
to try a believer. Observe here, the wonderful power of faith in changing
sinners. Rahab’s conduct proved her faith to be living, or having power; it
showed that she believed with her heart, not merely by an assent of the
understanding. Let us then take heed, for the best works, without faith, are
dead; they want root and principle. By faith any thing we do is really good; as
done in obedience to God, and aiming at his acceptance: the root is as though it
were dead, when there is no fruit. Faith is the root, good works are the fruits;
and we must see to it that we have both. This is the grace of God wherein we
stand, and we should stand to it. There is no middle state. Every one must
either live God’s friend, or God’s enemy. Living to God, as it is the
consequence of faith, which justifies and will save, obliges us to do nothing
against him, but every thing for him and to him.