Lesson for August 26, 2026

The Book of James

Chapter 2:1-9

Verse 1

If we show favoritism, we are not practicing the system of belief that resides in our souls, based on accurate Bible doctrine as advancing believers. We are to practice the kind of faith that our Savior practiced, which showed no favoritism.

Verses 2-4

James used an illustration to demonstrate the principle of partiality. We have two people who are going to enter the church, and a person who is helping to seat people. First to enter is a person wearing a gold ring and bright (colored) clothes. You could tell from the way this man was dressed and the ring on his finger that he was a wealthy, influential man. Next to enter was a poor man dressed in dirty clothes. The problem was not with the rich man or the poor man, but the one who was seating them. The good place was obviously the best seat in the room. You stand over there or sit down by my footstool (probably on the floor) was the worst place, and probably an attempt to hide this person from the congregation. Have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives. The usher was guilty of showing favoritism. The Greek word for judges is “krites,” from which we get our English word critique, meaning to make a judgment. The evil motives are obviously attempting to gain the favor of someone who was wealthy and influential.

Verse 5

Listen means to concentrate. James reminded his readers, by way of illustration, that God chose to display His power and glory through those who are humble enough to recognize Him as the ultimate source of everything in life. This does not mean that a wealthy or powerful person cannot glorify God. Anyone can glorify God by means of accurate Bible doctrine and application of that doctrine. However, James pointed out that God uses those who are not distracted by their wealth and power, which is typically those who have little, materially speaking, to distract them. True wealth for a believer comes by means of Bible doctrine. Believers who learn and apply Bible doctrine are spiritually wealthy.

Verse 6

Dishonored means to debase, to degrade, or to abuse. The rich do not refer to all people who have wealth but to a specific type of rich person who abuses their authority by being tyrannical, being arrogant, and dishonoring the poor. Believers with wealth have a responsibility not to oppress the poor but to help and protect them.

Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court means that the rich use the law, which is designed to protect the rights of an individual, to oppress those less fortunate. Wealth is never the means to happiness or blessing, where it is used for oppression or tyranny. Application of Bible doctrine should have corrected the human viewpoint of the usher who demonstrated partiality.

Verse 7

Blaspheme means to malign. The good name is a reference to Jesus Christ. Believers call themselves Christians, identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ by using the word Christian, which means “like Christ.” When a believer shows partiality, they malign the name by which they identify themselves, Christian, because they are not treating others as Jesus did. This is what it means to take the Lord’s name in vain.

Verse 8

If is a first-class condition, and James assumes that they will fulfill the Royal Law. Fulfilling is the Greek word “teleo,” which means to conclude an operation. The Royal Law is loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:19; 22:39-40; 1 John 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 1 John 3:11; 4:7)

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.” The Royal Law is a positive law. It is quoted in the New Testament as part of the Christian Way of Life. The Greek verb for love is “agapao.” “Agapao” means to have a relaxed mental attitude in your thinking toward other people (impersonal love). It means freedom from mental attitude sins such as envy, jealousy, bitterness, implacability, hatred, and so on.

Your neighbor is a Greek adverb “plesion,” which means those nearby. It should be more correctly translated “Thou shalt love those in your periphery.” As yourself means that believers need to have relaxed mental attitudes toward themselves, before they can have relaxed mental attitudes toward others.

Verse 9

The Greek word for committing is “ergazomai,” which means to do. The Greek word for sin is “hamartia,” referring to personal sin, which means you are being controlled by your sin nature. The Greek word for convicted is “elencho,” which means to be put to shame. The law refers to the Royal Law. Violators are those who fail to comply with the Royal Law. As we noted, the Royal Law is not the Law of Moses or the governmental law. The Royal Law is the Law of Christ. And James was saying that showing partiality is a violation of the Law of Christ.