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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 2:1 My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/2-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/59_Jas_02_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 2:1 - A Warning against Favoritism" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/1-27.htm" title="James 1:27">◄</a> James 2:1 <a href="/james/2-2.htm" title="James 2:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/james/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/james/2.htm">New International Version</a> My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. <a href="/nlt/james/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? <a href="/esv/james/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. <a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. <a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> My brothers, do not with partiality hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory. <a href="/kjv/james/2.htm">King James Bible</a> My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. <a href="/nkjv/james/2.htm">New King James Version</a> My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. <a href="/nasb_/james/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> My brothers and sisters, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. <a href="/nasb/james/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. <a href="/nasb77/james/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. <a href="/lsb/james/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. <a href="/amp/james/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people—show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. <a href="/csb/james/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/hcsb/james/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> My brothers, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/asv/james/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. <a href="/cev/james/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My friends, if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won't treat some people better than others. <a href="/erv/james/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. <a href="/gwt/james/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> My brothers and sisters, practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ by not favoring one person over another. <a href="/gnt/james/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. <a href="/isv/james/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> My brothers, do not let your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be tainted by favoritism. <a href="/msb/james/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. <a href="/net/james/2.htm">NET Bible</a> My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/nheb/james/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. <a href="/wbt/james/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. <a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory. <a href="/web/james/2.htm">World English Bible</a> My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> My brothers, do not hold the faith of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in favor by appearance, <a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> My brothers, do not with partiality hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory. <a href="/ylt/james/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> My brethren, hold not, in respect of persons, the faith of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/slt/james/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, of glory, with distinction of faces.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with respect of persons. <a href="/cpdv/james/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> My brothers, within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward persons. <a href="/nabre/james/2.htm">New American Bible</a> My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/nrsvce/james/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> MY brethren, do not, with hypocrisy, uphold the glorious faith of our LORD Jesus Christ. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> My brethren, do not hold the glorious faith of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah with acceptance of persons.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, so as to show a partiality for persons. <a href="/godbey/james/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect to persons. <a href="/haweis/james/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> MY brethren, hold not the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus shewing a respect for persons. <a href="/mace/james/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> My brethren, let not your christian profession be accompanied with partiality. <a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory. <a href="/worrell/james/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. <a href="/worsley/james/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, in a partial respect of persons. <a href="/parallel/james/2-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=241" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">A Warning against Favoritism</a> 1<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: Adelphoi (N-VMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echete (V-PMA-2P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">as you hold out</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">your</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistin (N-AFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">in</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1391.htm" title="1391: doxēs (N-GFS) -- From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.">glorious</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyriou (N-GMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">do not</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">show</a> <a href="/greek/4382.htm" title="4382: prosōpolēmpsiais (N-DFP) -- Partiality, favoritism. From prosopoleptes; partiality, i.e. Favoritism.">favoritism.</a> 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a> There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. <a href="/romans/2-11.htm">Romans 2:11</a> For God does not show favoritism. <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34-35</a> Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. <a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a> Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. <a href="/matthew/22-16.htm">Matthew 22:16</a> They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-17.htm">Deuteronomy 10:17</a> For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe. <a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a> Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. <a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a> And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. <a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Proverbs 24:23</a> These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. <a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a> You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a> But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” <a href="/john/7-24.htm">John 7:24</a> Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.” <a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46-48</a> If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? / And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? / Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. <a href="/luke/20-21.htm">Luke 20:21</a> “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. <a href="/job/34-19.htm">Job 34:19</a> who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>My brothers, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.the faith.<a href="/acts/20-21.htm">Acts 20:21</a> Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.<a href="/acts/24-24.htm">Acts 24:24</a> And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.<a href="/colossians/1-4.htm">Colossians 1:4</a> Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,the Lord.<a href="/psalms/24-7.htm">Psalm 24:7-10</a> Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in… <a href="/1_corinthians/2-8.htm">1 Corinthians 2:8</a> Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.<a href="/titus/2-13.htm">Titus 2:13</a> Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;with.<a href="/james/2-3.htm">James 2:3,9</a> 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: … <a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a> But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.<a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a> Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Account</a> <a href="/colossians/4-2.htm">Attitude</a> <a href="/james/1-1.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/colossians/3-25.htm">Distinctions</a> <a href="/james/1-6.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Glorious</a> <a href="/james/1-10.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-23.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/james/1-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/titus/3-14.htm">Maintain</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-21.htm">Partiality</a> <a href="/philippians/2-4.htm">Personal</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/james/1-10.htm">Position</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-18.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-4.htm">Striving</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/2-9.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">Attitude</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Distinctions</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-8.htm">Glorious</a> <a href="/james/3-14.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">Maintain</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Partiality</a> <a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">Personal</a> <a href="/james/2-9.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/james/2-3.htm">Position</a> <a href="/james/2-3.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Striving</a><div class="vheading2">James 2</div>1. <a href="/james/2-1.htm">Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;</a> 13. <a href="/james/2-13.htm">rather we are to be loving and merciful;</a> 14. <a href="/james/2-14.htm">and not to boast of faith without deeds;</a> 17. <a href="/james/2-17.htm">because faith without deeds is useless;</a> 19. <a href="/james/2-19.htm">as is the faith of the demons;</a> 21. <a href="/james/2-21.htm">however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;</a> 25. <a href="/james/2-25.htm">as did Rahab.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The term "brothers" is inclusive of all believers, both male and female, and reflects the early church's understanding of spiritual kinship. This familial language is consistent with other New Testament writings, such as Paul's letters, where believers are often addressed as "brothers and sisters" (e.g., <a href="/romans/12.htm">Romans 12:1</a>).as you hold out your faith The act of holding out faith suggests an active, ongoing commitment to the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. This phrase implies perseverance and steadfastness in one's belief, which is a recurring theme in the New Testament. The early church faced various trials and persecutions, making the exhortation to maintain faith particularly relevant. This aligns with <a href="/hebrews/10-23.htm">Hebrews 10:23</a>, which encourages believers to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess."in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ The title "glorious" underscores the divine nature and majesty of Jesus Christ. It reflects the belief in His resurrection and exaltation, as seen in <a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a>, where Jesus is given the name above every name. This phrase also connects to the Old Testament understanding of God's glory, as seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/33-18.htm">Exodus 33:18-23</a>, where God's glory is revealed to Moses. The use of "our" indicates a personal relationship with Christ, shared among the community of believers.do not show favoritism This command addresses the issue of partiality, which was a significant concern in the early church. Favoritism contradicts the principle of equality before God, as stated in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, where there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus. The cultural context of the time often involved social hierarchies and divisions, making this instruction countercultural. The prohibition against favoritism is rooted in the character of God, who shows no partiality (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-17.htm">Deuteronomy 10:17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally understood to be James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern. 2. <a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers</a> Refers to fellow believers in the Christian community, emphasizing the familial bond among Christians. 3. <a href="/topical/l/lord_jesus_christ.htm">Lord Jesus Christ</a> Central figure of the Christian faith, described here as "glorious," highlighting His divine majesty and authority. 4. <a href="/topical/f/favoritism.htm">Favoritism</a> The act of showing partiality or bias, which is being addressed as a negative behavior contrary to Christian values. 5. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_church.htm">Early Christian Church</a> The context in which James writes, dealing with issues of community conduct and spiritual integrity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/impartial_faith.htm">Impartial Faith</a> As believers, our faith in Jesus should lead us to treat all people equally, reflecting God's impartial nature. <a href="/topical/c/community_conduct.htm">Community Conduct</a> Favoritism disrupts the unity and love that should characterize the Christian community. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, without bias. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_glory.htm">Reflecting Christ's Glory</a> Our actions should mirror the glory of Christ, who treated all with dignity and respect, regardless of social status. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_integrity.htm">Spiritual Integrity</a> True faith is demonstrated through actions that align with God's character, including fairness and justice. <a href="/topical/p/practical_love.htm">Practical Love</a> Showing favoritism contradicts the command to love others genuinely. We must actively seek to love and serve all people equally.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 2</a> <a href="/q/did_early_believers_avoid_favoritism.htm">(James 2:1–4) Is there any historical or archaeological proof that early believers actually avoided favoritism in a class-based society, or is this merely idealistic? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_your_faith_say_you_need.htm">Do appearances reflect true character?</a> <a href="/q/how_will_wisdom_be_destroyed.htm">What defines Christian bigotry?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_confirmation_bias.htm">What is confirmation bias?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>II.(1) My brethren.--The second chapter opens with some stern rebukes for those unworthy Christians who had "men's persons in admiration," and, doubtless, that "because of advantage" to themselves. (Comp. <a href="/jude/1-16.htm" title="These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.">Jude 1:16</a>.) The lesson is distinctly addressed to believers, and its severity appears to be caused by the Apostle's unhappy consciousness of its need. What were endurable in a heathen, or an alien, or even a Jew, ceased to be so in a professed follower of the lowly Jesus. And this seems to be a further reason for the indignant expostulation and condemnation of <a href="/james/2-14.htm" title="What does it profit, my brothers, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?">James 2:14</a>. Thus the whole chapter may really be considered as dealing with Faith; and it flows naturally from the foregoing thoughts upon Religion--or, as we interpreted their subject-matter, Religious Service.Have (or, hold) not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with (or, in) respect of persons.--"Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," wrote St. Paul to the proud and wealthy men of Corinth (<a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm" title="For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.">2Corinthians 8:9</a>), "that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich;" and, with more cogent an appeal, to the Philippians (<a href="/context/james/2-4.htm" title="Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?">James 2:4-7</a>), "In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves: look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God"--i.e., Very God, and not appearance merely--nevertheless "thought not His equality with God a thing to be always grasped at," as it were some booty or prize, "but emptied Himself" of His glory, "and took upon Him the shape of a slave." Were these central, nay initial, facts of the faith believed then; or are they now? If they were in truth, how could there be such folly and shame as "acceptance of persons" according to the dictates of fashionable society and the world? "Honour," indeed, "to whom honour" is due (<a href="/romans/13-7.htm" title="Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.">Romans 13:7</a>). The Christian religion allows not that contempt for even earthly dignities--affected by some of her followers, but springing more from envy and unruliness than aught besides. True reverence and submission are in no way condemned by this scripture: but their excess and gross extreme, the preference for vulgar wealth, the adulation of success, the worship, in short, of some new golden calf. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-13. - WARNING AGAINST RESPECT OF PERSONS. Verse 1. - The translation is doubtful, two renderings being possible. (1) That of the A.V. and R.V., "Hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." (2) That of the R.V. margin and Westcott and Hort, "Do ye, in accepting persons, hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory?" According to this view, the section commences with a question, as does the following one, ver. 14. According to the former view, which is on the whole preferable, it is parallel to <a href="/james/3-1.htm">James 3:1</a>. The faith of our Lord. "The faith" here may be either (1) objective (tides quae creditur), as in the Epistle of St. <a href="/jude/1-3.htm">Jude 1:3, 20</a>; or . . . <a href="/commentaries/james/2-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. brothers, Ἀδελφοί (Adelphoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. as you hold out ἔχετε (echete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. [your] τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. faith πίστιν (pistin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. in τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. glorious δόξης (doxēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1391.htm">Strong's 1391: </a> From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application. Lord Κυρίου (Kyriou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. Jesus Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. Christ, Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. {do} not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. [show] ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. favoritism. προσωπολημψίαις (prosōpolēmpsiais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4382.htm">Strong's 4382: </a> Partiality, favoritism. From prosopoleptes; partiality, i.e. Favoritism. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/2-1.htm">NT Letters: James 2:1 My brothers don't hold the faith (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/1-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 1:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 1:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/2-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 2:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 2:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>