For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill - That is, these are parts of the same law of God, and one is as obligatory as the other. If, therefore, you violate either of these precepts, you transgress the law of God as such, and must be held to be guilty of violating it as a whole. The penalty of the law will be incurred, whatever precept you violate. read more
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty - On the phrase, “the law of liberty,” see the notes at James 1:25. Compare the notes at James 4:11. The meaning is, that in all our conduct we are to act under the constant impression of the truth that we are soon to be brought into judgment, and that the law by which we are to be judged is that by which it is contemplated that we shall be set free from the dominion of sin. In the rule which God has laid down in his... read more
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy - This is obviously an equitable principle, and is one which is everywhere found in the Bible. Proverbs 21:13. “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but will not be heard.” 2 Samuel 22:26-27, “with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory.” Compare Psalms 18:25-26; Matthew 6:15; Matthew 7:1-2. The idea which the apostle seems to... read more
James 2:8-11. If ye fulfil the royal law The supreme law of the great King, which is love; and that to every man, poor as well as rich; ye do well The phrase, νομος βασιλικος , royal law, here admits of three interpretations. 1st, As the Greeks called a thing royal which was excellent in its kind, it may mean an excellent law. 2d, As the same Greeks, having few or no kings among them, called the laws of the kings of Persia, βασιλικοι νομοι , royal laws, the expression here may... read more
James 2:12-13. So speak ye, and so do In all things; as they that shall be judged Without respect of persons; by the law of liberty The gospel, (see on James 1:25,) the law of universal love, which alone is perfect freedom. For their transgression of this, both in word and deed, the wicked shall be condemned. And according to their works, done in obedience to this, the righteous will be rewarded. For he shall have judgment without mercy In that day; who hath showed no mercy To his... read more
Favouritism destroys love (2:1-13)Standards of judgment in the church are not the same as those in the society round about. People ought not to be given important places in the church merely because they have important places in the society. Likewise poor people should not be ignored (2:1-4). God welcomes people into his kingdom regardless of wealth or social position, and gives his riches to them equally. James notes how strange it is that the Christians should show special favour to the rich,... read more
said also, &c . See Exodus 20:14 , Exodus 20:13 . no = not, James 2:4 . read more
speak . App-121 . shall = are about to. judged . App-122 . by . App-104 .James 2:1 . liberty . Compare James 1:25 . read more
he . . . judgment = (there shall be) judgment to him. judgment . App-177 . without mercy . Greek. anileos. Only here. no = not, as James 2:1 . rejoiceth against = boasteth over. Greek. katakauchaomai. See James 3:14 and Romans 11:18 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:13
The character of mercy. The most suggestive commentary on this verse may be found in Shakespeare's lines— "The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread... read more