James 2:1-10 KJV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:5

Hearken, my beloved brethren ,.... As to a matter of importance, and worthy of attention and regard; being an instance of the divine conduct towards the poor, and carries in it a strong argument against respect of persons: hath not God chosen the poor of this world ? this interrogative is equal to a strong affirmative; and the sense is, that God has chosen the poor of this world; and which is to be understood, not of the choice of them to an office, either in church or state; though... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:6

But ye have despised the poor ,.... Or dishonoured, and reproached them, by showing respect of persons, in preferring the rich to them, and in distinguishing them in such a manner as was to their contempt and injury; which is a reproaching not only of them, but their Maker; and is in effect saying, that God has done either a weak or a wrong thing, in choosing them to be rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom, it being directly contrary to his conduct: do not rich men oppress you, and draw... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:7

Of Christ, or Christians; by the which ye are called ? and which, as before, may design either unbelieving rich men, whether among Jews, or Gentiles, who blasphemed and cursed the name of Christ, and compelled others to do so likewise; or such who professed the Christian religion, who by their supercilious and disdainful treatment of their poor brethren, and by their dragging of them to the tribunals of the Heathens, and distressing them with vexatious law suits there, caused the name of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:8

If ye fulfil the royal law ,.... Which is the law of love to men, without distinction of rich and poor, high and low, bond and free; and is so called, because it is the law of the King of kings; hence the Syriac version renders it, "the law of God", it is the law of Christ, who is King of saints; and because it is a principal law, the chief of laws; as love to God is the sum of the first and great commandment in the law, and may be called the king of laws; so love to the neighbour is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:9

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin , &c.; This is not doing well, but is a transgression of the law, as every sin is; hence it follows, and are convinced of the law as transgressors ; which carries on a formal process against such persons; it accuses them of sin, and charges them with it; it proves it upon them, and convicts them of it; it pronounces them guilty, and curses them for it; and passes the sentence of condemnation and death upon them; wherefore care should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:10

For whosoever shall keep the whole law ,.... Or the greatest part of it, excepting only in one point, as follows: Adam, in a state of innocence, was able to keep the whole law, but by sin he lost that power, nor can any of his posterity now keep it perfectly: they are all transgressors of it, and liable to its penalty; unregenerate men are not obedient to it, and have an aversion to it, and despise it, and cast it behind their backs; regenerate persons, who love it, and delight in it, after... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1

My brethren, have not - This verse should be read interrogatively: My brethren, do ye not make profession of the faith or religion of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with acceptance of persons? That is, preferring the rich to the poor merely because of their riches, and not on account of any moral excellence, personal piety, or public usefulness. Πιστις , faith, is put here for religion; and της δοξης , of glory, should, according to some critics, be construed with it as the Syriac and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:2

If there come unto your assembly - Εις την συναγωγην· Into the synagogue. It appears from this that the apostle is addressing Jews who frequented their synagogues, and carried on their worship there and judicial proceedings, as the Jews were accustomed to do. Our word assembly does not express the original; and we cannot suppose that these synagogues were at this time occupied with Christian worship, but that the Christian Jews continued to frequent them for the purpose of hearing the law... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:3

Sit here under my footstool - Thus evidently prejudging the cause, and giving the poor man to see that he was to expect no impartial administration of justice in his cause. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:4

Are ye not then partial - Ου διεκριθητε· Do ye not make a distinction, though the case has not been heard, and the law has not decided? Judges of evil thoughts? - Κριται διαλογισμων πονηρων· Judges of evil reasonings; that is, judges who reason wickedly; who, in effect, say in your hearts, we will espouse the cause of the rich, because they can befriend us; we will neglect that of the poor, because they cannot help us, nor have they power to hurt us. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:4

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