The Sin of Partiality

James 2

1 My brothers, 1 w show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, x the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," y while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become z judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, a has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be b rich in faith and heirs of c the kingdom, d which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you e have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who f drag you g into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable h name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, i "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. 9 But if you j show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point k has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, l "Do not commit adultery," also said, l "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under m the law of liberty. 13 For n judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

  1. Cross References
    James 2:9
    But if you show partiality, you are committing ...
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in court. You shall n...
    Deuteronomy 1:17
    You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall...
    Deuteronomy 16:19
    You shall not pervert justice. You shall not sh...
    Proverbs 24:23
    These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality ...
    Romans 2:11
    For God shows no partiality.
    Ephesians 6:9
    Masters, do the same to them, and stop your thr...
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:8
    None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
    Acts 7:2
    And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 18:23
    The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
  4. Cross References
    John 7:24
    Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:27 - 28
    But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
    Job 34:19
    Who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
  6. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:9
    For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
    Revelation 2:9
    'I know your tribulation and your poverty ( but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
    Luke 12:21
    So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 5:3
    Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    Luke 6:20
    And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
    Luke 12:32
    Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
  8. Cross References
    James 1:12
    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:22
    What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 16:19
    But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 8:3
    But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
    Acts 17:6
    And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.
    Acts 18:12
    But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal.
    James 5:6
    You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 63:19
    We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.
    Isaiah 65:1
    I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that was not called by my name.
    Amos 9:12
    That they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name," declares the Lord who does this.
    Acts 15:17
    That the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things
  13. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:18
    You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
  14. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:18
    You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
  15. Cross References
    James 2:1
    My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 5:19
    Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
    Galatians 3:10
    For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.
  17. Cross References
    Exodus 20:14
    You shall not commit adultery.
    Exodus 20:13
    You shall not murder.
  18. Cross References
    Exodus 20:14
    You shall not commit adultery.
    Exodus 20:13
    You shall not murder.
  19. Cross References
    Exodus 20:14
    You shall not commit adultery.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 20:13
    You shall not murder.
  21. Cross References
    James 1:25
    But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
  22. Cross References
    Job 22:6 - 11
    For you have exacted pledges of your brothers f...
    Psalms 18:25 - 26
    With the merciful you show yourself merciful; w...
    Proverbs 21:13
    Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor w...
    Ezekiel 25:11 - 14
    And I will execute judgments upon Moab. Then th...
    Matthew 6:15
    But if you do not forgive others their trespass...
    Matthew 18:32 - 35
    Then his master summoned him and said to him, '...
    Luke 6:38
    Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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