The Sin of Partiality

James 2

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, a the Lord of glory, with b partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in 1 fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in 2 filthy clothes, 3 and you 3 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," 4 have you not 4 shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: c Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be d rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom e which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But f you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you g and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are h called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, i "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," 5 you do well; 9 but if you 6 show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as j transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet k stumble in one point, l he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, m "Do not commit adultery," 7 also said, n "Do not murder." 8 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 o the law of liberty. 13 For p judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown q no r mercy. s Mercy triumphs over judgment.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 7:2
    And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran.
    1 Corinthians 2:8
    Which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
  2. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.
  3. Cross References
    Job 34:19
    Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.
    John 7:48
    Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
    1 Corinthians 1:27
    But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 12:21
    "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
    1 Timothy 6:18
    Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.
    Revelation 2:9
    I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 20:6
    But showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:22
    What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 13:50
    But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 11:26
    And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
    1 Peter 4:16
    Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
  9. Cross References
    Leviticus 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.
  10. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.
    Deuteronomy 1:17
    'You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man's presence, for the judgment is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.'
  11. Cross References
    Galatians 3:10
    For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 27:26
    'Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 20:14
    You shall not commit adultery.
    Deuteronomy 5:18
    You shall not commit adultery.
  14. Cross References
    Exodus 20:13
    You shall not murder.
    Deuteronomy 5:17
    You shall not murder.
  15. Cross References
    James 1:25
    But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
  16. Cross References
    Job 22:6
    For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, And stripped the naked of their clothing.
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:13
    Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
    Matthew 18:32 - 35
    Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
    Luke 6:37
    Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
  18. Cross References
    Micah 7:18
    Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.
    Matthew 5:7
    Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 12:8
    He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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