The Epistle of James

The Epistle ofJames Lesson 3 “Faith and the Social Man” James 2:1-13 Page 7

“The Christian’s Problem-Solving Process” Problem--- (One of the various trials of life) Faith in Word--- (Trust in God’s Word) Pray for Wisdom--- (Ask God without doubting) Seek Wisdom--- (Study His Word) Act/React--- (Apply His solution) Solution (Righteous ending) “Patience” (endurance) must be present in all of these steps

Overview of Chapter 2 • In this chapter, James instructs his readers about the importance of appropriate conduct in their social contacts with other people. • The “social man” is man in his “physical contacts with other men.” • Christians must understand that all men are made in God’s image and are to be treated with the same consideration given to them by their Maker. • Wealth and position must not influence us in our behavior as we live in contact with others.

Question • “The faith” (See Galatians 1:23) cannot be mixed with __________. (vs. 1) 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. partiality

Do Not Hold The Faith In… (2:1) • What is “partiality”? • Respect of persons • Favoritism • Treating some people better than others • Showing prejudices toward others • Could be a serious flaw in a Christian • The message of the gospel [the faith] is: “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34) • “…God shows personal favoritism to no man” (Gal. 2:6)

The gospel does not alter men’s social status, just their spiritual status • We cannot preach equality in the gospel and practice inequality in our social behavior. • Moses’ Law condemned unfair treatment of any man (Deuteronomy 1:17) • Jesus’ behavior validated the ultimate worth of every man (Luke 7:36ff) • The gospel is based on the impartiality of God (Acts 10:34,35; Romans 2:11) • Prejudice is rooted in our backgrounds, our fears and anxieties, our pride, our misfortunes, and our sins

Question • What were the noticeable differences between the two men who came into the assembly of the saints? (vs. 2,3) Were these physical or spiritual differences? 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”

Question • What treatment was extended to each of these men? (vs. 3) 3…and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”

Question • What was the sin of some brethren with regard to the two men? (vs. 1,4; also, see 1Samuel 16:7 and 2Corinthians 5:12) James 2:4 – 4 …have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Question • What was the sin of some brethren with regard to the two men? (vs. 1,4; also, see 1Samuel 16:7 and 2Corinthians 5:12) 1Sam 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Question • What was the sin of some brethren with regard to the two men? (vs. 1,4; also, see 1Samuel 16:7 and 2Corinthians 5:12) 2Cor 5:12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

Judges With Evil Thoughts… (2:4) • “Judging” or deciding who should sit where, who would be of more value to the church, who would have the best social standing in the community, who might physically benefit the church with their material wealth, etc., is wrong • Prejudicial behavior is especially out-of-character for the Christian • Prejudicial behavior is an outward demonstration of what is in the heart • “…the LORD looks at the heart” (1Sam. 16:7)

Question • What kind of treatment had the saints received from the “rich” (as a class)? (vs. 6,7) 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

Listen, my beloved brethren… (2:5-7) • As a rule, the “poor of this world” are more inclined to be interested in things of faith and the kingdom of the Lord. They are really rich! • Often, the “rich” are oblivious to the restraints of morality in their treatment of other people • They are contemptuous of others’ religious scruples, even to the point of “blaspheming the holy name” of Christ when that serves their purpose • Social prejudice among God’s people is folly

Question 6a. What is the “royal law” as specified in the Old Testament? (vs. 8; also, see Leviticus 19:18.) Lev 19:18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well

Question 6b. Where is this law referred to in the New Testament? (See Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14.) Matt 19:19 “…honor your father and your mother,” and, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt 22:39 And the second is like it: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Question 6b. Where is this law referred to in the New Testament? (See Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14.) Mark 12:31 And the second, like it, is this: “‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Question 6b. Where is this law referred to in the New Testament? (See Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14.) Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “‘you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”

Question 6b. Where is this law referred to in the New Testament? (See Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14.) Rom 13:9 For the commandments, "you shall not commit adultery," "you shall not murder," "you shall not steal," "you shall not bear false witness," "you shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Question 6b. Where is this law referred to in the New Testament? (See Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14.) Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Question • By what law will we be judged? (vs. 12) What is a fundamental element of this law? (vs. 13) 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

“If you show partiality, you commit sin…” (2:9) • The Christian is governed by law[The Royal Law] in his social conduct as well as in his personal religious conduct • The Law of Moses was a “royal law” because it concerned a nation especially related to the Royal God • The law of Christ likewise demands complete obedience to all commands • The “royal law” taught the Jew that God condemns all sins • Similarly, Christ’s law demands as much attention

“If you show partiality, you commit sin …” (2:9) • God is a God of fairness in all His dealings. This is how He acts! • If we desire fair judgment in eternity, fairness (“mercy”) must govern our social behavior before eternity

“So speak and so do…(2:12) • As those who will be judged by the law of liberty (2:12) • Our lives should be regulated by it now • “Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy” (2:13) • “Mercy [fairness] triumphs over judgment”(2:13)

James 2:1-4 (NKJ) 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:1-13 (NKJ) 5Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

James 2:1-13 (NKJ) 8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

The Epistle of James