JAMES’ TEACHING ON THE NEED TO TREAT PEOPLE EQUALLY (JAMES 2:1-13)

In James 2:1-13, James rebukes the practice of favouritism (partiality) within the Christian assembly and teaches that all people must be treated equally. His teaching may be summarised thus:

• Faith in Christ forbids partiality. He begins, "My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." Snobbery is incompatible with genuine faith.
• An illustration of discrimination. If a man with gold rings and fine clothing enters, and also a poor man in shabby clothing, and you honour the rich man with a good seat while telling the poor man to stand or sit at your feet, you have made distinctions and become judges with evil thoughts.
• God has chosen the poor. God has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. To dishonour the poor is to dishonour those God honours.
• Favouring the rich is illogical. It is the rich who oppress the believers, drag them into court, and blaspheme the honourable name by which they are called.
• The royal law of love. The command "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" is the royal law; fulfilling it means treating all equally.
• Partiality is sin. Whoever shows partiality commits sin and is convicted by the law as a transgressor.
• The law is a unity. Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all, for the same God gave every command.
• Mercy triumphs over judgement. One must speak and act as those to be judged under the law of liberty, for judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.