James 2:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 2:8-13

The apostle, having condemned the sin of those who had an undue respect of persons, and having urged what was sufficient to convict them of the greatness of this evil, now proceeds to show how the matter may be mended; it is the work of a gospel ministry, not only to reprove and warn, but to teach and direct. Col. 1:28; Warning every man, and teaching every man. And here, I. We have the law that is to guide us in all our regards to men set down in general. If you fulfil the royal law,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 2:12-13

2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are going to be judged under the law of liberty. For he who acts without mercy will have judgment without mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. As he comes to the end of a section, James reminds his readers of two great facts of the Christian life. (i) The Christian lives under the law of liberty, and it is by the law of liberty he will be judged. What he means is this. Unlike the Pharisee and the orthodox Jew, the Christian is not a man whose life... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy ,.... Strict justice, and no mercy shown him: that hath showed no mercy ; to the poor brethren, and distressed members of Christ, but has shown respect of persons to the hurt of the poor, and has despised and oppressed them, instead of relieving and comforting them; so the rich man, that neglected Lazarus at his gates, is refused a drop of water to cool his tongue; and the servant that cruelly insisted on his fellow servant's paying him all he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:13

For he shall have judgment - He who shows no mercy to man, or, in other words, he who does not exercise himself in works of charity and mercy to his needy fellow creatures, shall receive no mercy at the hand of God; for he hath said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The unmerciful therefore are cursed, and they shall obtain no mercy. Mercy rejoiceth against judgment - These words are variously understood. Mercy, the merciful man, the abstract for the concrete,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:13

Verse 13 13For he shall have judgment. This is an application of the last verse to the subject in hand, which confirms altogether the second explanation which I have mentioned: for he shews, that since we stand through God’s mercy alone, we ought to shew that to those whom the Lord himself commends to us. It is, indeed, a singular commendation of kindness and benevolence, that God promises that he will be merciful to us, if we be so to our brethren: not that our mercy, how ever great it may be,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:1-13

WARNING AGAINST RESPECT OF PERSONS . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:1-13

Respect of persons is inconsistent with the first principles of Christianity. 1. One great function of Christianity was to create a sphere in which there should be neither Jew nor Gentile, Greek nor barbarian, bond nor free. "All equal are within the Church's gate" is true, not only of the material building, but equally of the spiritual fabric of the Catholic Church, which, like her Divine Head, is no respecter of persons. Bengel well remarks that the equality of Christians, indicated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:1-13

Respect of persons. Amongst the other evils of which these Christian Jews were guilty, was the gross evil of respect of persons. James presents the scene graphically, according to his wont. There is the synagogue, with the worshippers gathering for worship, some taking the good places, as it were the chancel-seats, near to the ark with the roll of the Law, and to the table of the Lord; some the lower seats, away from the speaker anti the Word. When, lo, a rich man enters, some stranger to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:12-13

Conclusion of the subject : νόμος ἐλευθερίας (cf. James 1:25 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:12-13

Law and judgment. In these weighty words James reminds his readers that they are on their way to a dread tribunal where they shall be judged according to their works, and where with what measure they mete it shall be measured to themselves. I. THE CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT . The apostle takes the fact for granted. This certainty is attested by: 1. Human nature , Man possesses intuitively the conviction of his moral responsibility. Conscience anticipates even now the... read more

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