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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. |
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| 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; |
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| 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 footstool: |
Ye have respect – We are to mind not high things, but to condescend to men of low estate; to show no preference to the man that wears the fine clothing or the gold ring, but to regard highest those who do the will of God. R1956:2
In a good place – The choicest seats--treated with deference and respect. R5886:3
Under my footstool – Obscure places--treated with scant courtesy, as though they were inferiors. R5886:6
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| 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? |
Become judges – Judgment was passed upon the brethren contrary to the instructions of the Lord. R5886:6
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| 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? |
Hath not God chosen – As a rule. R2761:2, 2520:3
All down through the Gospel age the Lord's invitations have been extended chiefly to those in the humbler walks of life. R3720:5, 2580:1
The poor – "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (1 Cor. 1:26) R5676:4, 5692:2, 5415:5, 4969:3, 4158:2, 3953:3, 3797:6, 3707:6, 2948:2, 1642:4, 1172:3, 1102:6, 1047:3; D516; SM511:1, 176:2; HG746:3; NS809:3, 647:1, 470:2, 412:4, 388:6, 331:3, 270:2, 128:3; OV297:T*, 215:3*
The two prosperities, temporal and spiritual, under present conditions, can rarely exist side by side in the same individual's experience. R2860:3, 2761:2, 2520:2
"How hardly [with what difficulty] shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:23) R2761:2, 2728:6; NS270:2
The filled, the rich, the satisfied, are frequently less interested in the Savior than are the poor; they do not realize so great need for him and for the Millennial Kingdom he is to establish. R4534:3; SM511:1, 13:2
This does not debar those who have riches of any kind; they have that much greater talent which, if they will, they may sacrifice. R2702:5
Not the literally poor; the "poor in spirit" (Matt. 5:3), the humble-minded. R2580:1
Strong characters may be developed and high ideals attained in the heart and in deeds amongst the lowly and obscure. R3952:3
Poverty of purse and intellect are much more favorable to the development of humility than are riches of any kind. R2580:1
The poor in this world's goods, and in talents and influence, having practically nothing to sacrifice but their wills, find it easier to comply with the conditions. R2762:3
Like their Master, of "no reputation" or influence. (Phil. 2:7) D516
Jesus was very poor and humble when on the earth; "for our sakes he became poor." (2 Cor. 8:9) Few of the Little Flock have money or influence. R811:1*, 983:2, 285:5, 210:1*
Though not generally learned, neither are they ignorant. They are close students of God's Word, and the wisdom derived therefrom gives them an education this world can never attain. R1102:6
The number of wise, learned people who are willing to become fools in the estimation of men, for Christ's sake, is exceedingly small. R2948:3
We can rejoice with the poor and less influential who have received the Gospel message, that doubtless their poverty, etc., were favorable factors to their advantage. We can sympathize with the great and rich. R5075:3
Very shortly the Lord will show how different is the divine standard of measurement; among the Lord's priests will be some very lightly esteemed amongst men. R3054:5
Many might be disposed to despise them, to slight them, because they know them not. R3797:6
The glorified Little Flock will not contain many great, rich or wise according to the world's estimate. R2122:5
Those that realize most keenly their own insufficiency and weakness and the hopelessness of ever gaining any great earthly prize are the ones who appreciate the proffer of the heavenly crown. NS135:6
We advise colaborers to search for the Lord's jewels among the humble. R1954:2
Its numbers have always been small and its circumstances humble. R1754:5
The rich, the noble, the learned, the self-satisfied righteous are not in the condition of heart to hunger and thirst after the things which God has to give now. HG746:3
We need not expect many great or wise or learned to be our companions in the narrow way. NS85:5
Riches, honors and fame draw the heart's affection and zeal away from heavenly things and to the good earthly portion being enjoyed. NS67:3
Worldly-wise are few because they feel their own superiority and seek not heavenly wisdom nor divine approval. SM13:2
Rich in faith – Who have faith to believe the message, who enter into rest through faith. (Heb. 4:3) R3707:6
Who will understand the things of God and be initiated into the mysteries of the Kingdom. SM13:2
Without great faith in God they will never be able to overcome the trials of the present time. CR408:6
Heirs – Prospectively heirs; these shall be glorified with their Lord in the Kingdom. R2406:1
Whom God has ordained to be heirs of the Kingdom. R2246:4, 32:3*
Not numerically strong; their reigning, their power and their control in the world's affairs will not come until their resurrection change. R5692:2, 5676:4
It is evident that James does not mean the nominal church, which is now reigning with the world; for the rich are pressed into it. A284
Of the kingdom – The only sense in which Christ's Kingdom was begun at the first advent was in its embryo condition. R1747:5, 1351:6; A284
He hath promised – God's special love and provision for his saints as distinguished from the world. R1254:5
To them that love him – These are to be the "royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:9), to whom shall be committed the full control of earth during the "times of restitution." (Acts 3:21) R2490:2
These are to be heirs of the glory, honor and immortality which God has in reservation for them. NS368:5
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| 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? |
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| 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? |
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| 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: |
The royal law – The law of love; supreme love to God, and love to the neighbor as to self. R1498:3
Those who have made a full consecration of heart to the Lord have a battle to wage to fulfill the royal law of love, notwithstanding their intention, purity of heart, and wills. R5123:4
This law of love under which we are placed, contains the spirit of the Law to Israel: the Ten Commandments, and even more. R542:6
We are no longer under the letter, but under the spirit--the greater law of love. HG584:1
As thyself – Not better than thyself; there seems to be a limitation to the love commanded by the Law. Our Lord's sacrifice transcends that required of the Law. R3804:6
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| 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. |
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| 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. |
The whole law – With ten divisions. R608:1, 5071:4, 812:1*
It is a perfect law. It requires the full measure of a perfect man's ability to keep it. R812:1*; E108
Offend in one point – God could not look upon sin with any degree of allowance. R812:2*
None can keep it perfectly. R543:5
He is guilty of all – Thus every mouth is stopped from claiming the right to life, and all the world stands guilty before God. A101
Any violation of divine law is sin, whether committed willingly or unwillingly. R1983:3
He could claim nothing under it, but must be condemned as a violator, unworthy of life. R929:5, 608:1, 604:5*, 543:5
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| 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. |
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| 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. |
The law of liberty – Nothing else than love can secure the fullest liberty for every individual without infringing upon the liberties of any other individual. R1462:6, 2426:5
By which we are now being judged. R2426:5
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| 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. |
Have judgment – Just sentence; the second death. R2329:3,4
For he shall have a second trial (judgment) after this life. HG220:3
Shewed no mercy – He who shows no mercy shall receive no mercy. F417
If our standard in dealing with others be one of exact justice, we may expect no mercy at the Lord's hands. R2667:5
Mercy rejoiceth – The merciful will obtain mercy--be extremely merciful to others, hoping that the Lord would be correspondingly lenient to us. R5324:4
Mercy is an outward expression of love. OV405:1
Against judgment – Not through a failure of justice, but through a satisfaction of justice. R2328:2
Against the execution of justice. R3735:2
Divine mercy satisfied divine justice. R2587:2
Love has gained a victory over justice. OV405:1
It will require the entire thousand years of Messiah's reign before mercy shall have fully triumphed over justice. OV408:2
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| 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? |
Have not works – Works to correspond; to attest the faith. R4378:1
That humble confidence which espouses God's unpopular cause, which perseveres in pursuing it in face of all opposition, and which endures whatever approach, discouragement, privation, and even persecution it may bring. R1159:1*
Our works should be the outgrowth of that faith. R2162:2*
Can faith save him – James is combatting a prevalent theory of his day that works amounted to nothing; that it was faith which counted. R5892:5
Many have supposed doctrinal conflict between Paul and James. There was no such conflict. R4377:2, 30:1*
By works is faith made perfect. R2159:1
It is faith that works by love which counts. R4378:1, 811:3*
"This faith is not able to save him." (Diaglott) R2162:2*
"Without faith it is impossible to please him [God]" (Heb. 11:6), and if faith without works is of no advantage, the inference is plain that without works it is equally impossible to please God. R1158:1*, 2162:2*
We are not to think that mere belief that makes no impression upon the life and is unaccompanied by any effort to live pleasing to God, would do any real good. R2159:3
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| 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, |
Naked, and destitute – There were both rich and poor in the assemblies of the primitive Church. R2932:4
Some were able to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc., which illustrates that love exists among the real brethren of Christ. R811:2*
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| 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? |
What doth it profit – To tell a poor brother that God will help him and to send him away without relief, when it is within our power to relieve him, would not be such a faith as God would approve. It would profit us nothing. R4378:1
The measure of our love for the Lord will be measured by our love for the brethren. NS79:4
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| 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. |
If it hath not – Does not produce character. R3114:2
Works – Faith which worketh by love. R811:3*, 4378:1
Corresponding works which attest its genuineness. R2162:2*, 2159:5
Is dead – It cannot be called a living faith; it has given no evidence of life; it has shown no quickening; it is barren. R4378:1, 2
A faith that will not develop obedience is unavailing. R4378:2
Has lost its vitality, its virtue, its life. It is worthless. R2847:4
Is null and void. R3114:2
A putrid thing, offensive to both God and man. R2159:5
Being alone – Greek, heautou, by itself. E170, E171
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| 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. |
My faith – Based on reasonable premise or foundation. R1158:2
Faith is a mental conviction respecting things not positively proven to the senses, but received on supposedly good authority. Faith requires, and inquires for, good sound evidence and authority for its basis. Faith is not credulity, does not jump at conclusions, but makes investigations and sees that it has some reasonable ground for its existence. R5892:1, 2
It will be our faith in God and in the Lord Jesus that will bring us the victory, but the victory will be accounted only to those who shall, to the best of their ability, work out their salvation with fear and trembling. R5407:3
By my works – James is opposing the wrong deductions from Paul's teaching. R5892:6
He whose life is not in harmony with his faith dishonors that faith and will not be permitted to maintain it very long. R2159:5
A living faith shows itself by work. R5470:2; NS344:1
Faith and works together are bringing us into the character-likeness of Christ. R5470:2
God will test us by our works as to the strength of our faith. R5892:6
If we have all works and no faith, we shall fail. R5478:2
Not that we are to attain the Kingdom by our works; for we are unable to do perfect works. R5407:2; NS39:3, 6
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| 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. |
Thou believest – There is no special virtue in believing an evident truth; but it is lying and self-deception to disbelieve any truth of which we have clear evidence. Faith must be accompanied by obedience. R606:5
God will expect to find in us such works as we are capable of. NS39:6
Thou doest well – Surely this is not the extent of your faith. R4378:2
The devils also believe – Fallen angels. R2171:5; F625; HG725:3; 5
Satan is a student of God's Word and a believer of it; he has learned that every word of God is sure. R265:6
By merely believing that Jesus died, and that he was holy, etc., no one can become his disciple. R5833:2; NS167:5
And tremble – Because they know the Lord's power. R606:5
For having presumptuously sinned against God in the fact of truth and knowledge. R606:5
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| 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? |
O vain man – Foolish. R4378:2
Without works – The right kind of faith will make an outward manifestation, according to circumstances. R4377:3
Is dead – Barren. It can never bring you life, birth, even as imperfect works failed to justify to life under the Law Covenant. R4378:2
It speedily loses its vitality, its value, its very existence. R2692:3
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| 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? |
Was not – Note the case of Abraham. R4378:2
Abraham – God placed a crucial test upon Abraham's faith, which would have proven it inefficient, if it had not developed to the stage of obedience. R4378:2
Our father – Father of the faithful. R4378:2, 5892:6
Justified – To friendship with God, not to life. R5774:5
By works – His was not an empty profession of loyalty; he demonstrated his faith by works of obedience. R5774:5
Abraham sought to be as nearly perfect in conduct as possible. R5207:1
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| 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? |
Faith wrought with his works – Abraham manifested his faith by his general conduct. R2854:2, 30:1*
Abraham loved the Lord and desired to serve him. R3915:6
These works are not ours as men but as new creatures. R3586:2
Faith made perfect – Developed to the quickening stage of works of obedience. R4378:2
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| 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. |
It was imputed – Abraham's faith was a working faith. The Bible worthies (Heb. 11) were justified by faith when their faith led them to do what God required of them. R50:1*
His faith was proved an acceptable one by works of obedience. R2159:4
Friend of God – Received into the favor that Adam had lost, viz., communion with God as a "friend." A228 R273:6
Noble and grand as Abraham was, yet he is merely styled "the friend of God." NS662:6
God loved him and treated him as a friend. R5892:6
Abraham was justified to receive God's favor and to be told secrets that God would tell to a friend. Q698:7
God proved his servant under a fiery ordeal which manifested a character which he could approve and highly reward. R1623:3; Q267:T
The world will require 1000 years to reach that peace with God which the elect class of this age reaches almost instantly, by faith similar to Abraham's. R4476:1; Q267:T
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| 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. |
How that by works – Such fruits of righteousness as may be possible for us under present imperfect conditions. F109
Our faith must not be without works to the extent of our ability. F107
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| 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? |
Likewise also – Fearful that he had given an example so lofty as would discourage us, James holds up another illustration of faith and works. R4378:2
Justified by works – Rahab had faith in God, but it would not have availed her if it had not developed to activity and helpful service, risking her own interests. R4378:3
Not by faith alone. HG249:2
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| 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. |
The body – A body must be had before any spirit of life could come into it. R4378:4
Without the spirit – Spirit of life. R4378:4
Greek, pneuma, life-spark, breath of lives. E317
Is dead – Quickening is absolutely necessary to have spirit birth. R4378:4
The spirit without the body is also dead. HG200:5
Faith without works – Faith must exist before it can be quickened into activity. R4378:4
Faith cannot live without manifesting itself. All of our services to the Lord are valuable chiefly as proofs of our faith in his promises. R2425:4, 1406:1
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