Explanation: In James 2, James warns his readers not to have respect of persons. He cites an example of a two men, a rich man and a poor man who come into the assembly. The rich man receives respect. He is given good seating, but the poor man in shabby clothing is made to stand or to sit near someone's footstool. Those who make these distinctions become judges with evil thoughts. But God has chosen the poor of the earth, rich in faith, to be heirs of the Kingdom of God. The church leaders dishonor the poor man and exalt the rich man, but the rich men drag them into court, and they blaspheme the Lord's name (1-7).
     But, if they would fulfill the royal law of loving their neighbor as they love themselves, they would be doing well. Showing partiality makes them sinners and transgressors. Anyone who wants to keep the law must keep all of its commandments. To disobey one commandment is to break the covenant. And judgment is without mercy upon the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment (8-13).
     If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed or lacks food, it is worthless to tell them to be warmed and filled without giving them the things needed for the body. So faith by itself, without works, is dead (14-17).
     Someone may question this idea that faith without works is dead, but two lines of evidence show that the statement is true: the belief of the wicked and the belief of the righteous. The Belief of the Wicked. The demons believe and shudder, but their faith produces nothing that is spiritually good. They live in sin. In them, faith is a mere instrument of information. The Belief of the Righteous (two examples). By faith, Abraham offered up Isaac on the altar. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" -- and he was called a friend of God." Likewise, Rahab was justified when she hid the spies from Israel and helped them escape. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works if dead. In the righteous, faith has two components, belief and commitment. Like the demons, the righteous believe. But because of their commitment to God, they also obey; faith is, therefore, an instrument of obedience (18-26). ]
     [Sermons: Maurice Roberts (Justification in Paul and James). Various. ]
     [Illustration: Today's painting depicts the type of person who often gets respect in the church. Today's chapter begins with an examination of favoritism in the church. ]

     ¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? ²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. ²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

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