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George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - James 2:1

With respect of persons. This partial respect of persons is several times condemned both in the Old and New Testament. St. James here speaks of it as it was committed in the assemblies, by which many understand the meetings of Christians, in[1] synagogues and places where they celebrated the divine service, or met to keep the charitable feast, called Agape. Others expound it of meetings where causes were judged. If it be meant of Church meetings, the apostle might have even greater reason to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-13

1-13 Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not agreeing with their profession of being disciples of the lowly Jesus. St. James does not here encourage rudeness or disorder: civil respect must be paid; but never such as to influence the proceedings of Christians in disposing of the offices of the church of Christ, or in passing the censures of the church, or in any matter of religion.... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - James 2:1-99

James 2 THESE EARLY JEWISH Christians were far too much controlled by the ordinary thoughts of the world, and as a consequence of being spotted by the world, they despised the poor. They should have been controlled by the faith of the Lord Jesus, and not by the standards and customs of the world. Though he was the Lord of Glory yet He ever stooped to the poor and the fatherless. Poverty and need may be incompatible with human glory, but they are quite compatible with Divine glory. As a... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - James 2:1-9

Dead Faith Compared with Living Faith. Caution against partiality: v. 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, with respect of persons. v. 2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, v. 3. and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - James 2:1-26

V. THIRD ADMONITION WITH REFERENCE TO THE THIRD FORM OF TEMPTATION. EBIONITE CONDUCTCAUTION AGAINST JUDAISTIC PARTIALITY, AGAINST FAVOURING THE RICH (THE JUDAIZING CHRISTIAN) AND DEPRECIATING THE POOR (THE GENTILE CHRISTIAN) IN THEIR CHURCH-LIFE. CONSISTENT PROOF OF FAITH DEMANDED IN THE WORK OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERLY LOVE AND IN THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF UNITY OF FAITH IN THE FAITH-WORK OF ABRAHAB THE PATRIARCH AND IN THE FAITH-WORK OF RAHAB, THE GENTILE HARLOT. DEAD AND LIVING FAITHJames 2:01My... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - James 2:1-13

Avoid Servility to the Rich James 2:1-13 This sin of making distinctions in God’s house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the divine Spirit departs. God’s love is impartial, so far as outward appearances might affect it; and in His Church the only real differences must be those of humility, purity and righteousness. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” whether they be rich in this world’s goods or not. But it is easier for a poor man to be rich in faith and an heir of the... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - James 2:1-26

Proceeding, James dealt with the effect of faith on conduct. It makes it impossible to show any respect of persons on the ground of the possession of worldly wealth. To show such respect shows that the faith of Jesus Christ is not held. In His eyes wealth or poverty is nothing. The corrective, therefore, for such failure is to be found in the exercise of a faith like that of Christ, which, seeing God, respects men, and gives them the place of honor according to their relationship to Him. In... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1

‘My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, with respect of persons.’ James commences by drawing their attention to the fact that the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, is far above that of any other. He is our Lord, set above all things (Acts 2:36; Ephesians 1:20-22); He is Jesus Who will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), He is the expected Messiah, the enthroned Christ (Acts 2:35), but above all He is the Lord of glory (compare 1 Corinthians 2:8 where it... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-7

Faith Without Works Illustrated In Action In The Treatment Of The Rich As Compared With The Poor In The Assembly (James 2:1-7 ). a My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, with respect of persons (James 2:1). b For if there come into your synagogue (assembly) a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing, and you have regard to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, “You sit here in a good place” (James 2:2-3... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-13

James 2:1-1 Chronicles : . This paragraph on Servility suits exhortation of Jews incomparably better than that of Christians, among whom “ not many rich” were found for generations. The scene of James 2:2 is the “ synagogue,” best taken in its literal sense; and acts of oppression towards “ the congregation of God’ s poor” are familiar to readers of the OT. “ Give up,” he pleads, “ trying to combine with acts of servility the belief in the Lord of Glory.” On the theory sketched in the... read more

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