August 31st 2025 James ch 2 v 1 - 13
"The Royal Law." 2 v 1-13.
V 1. The emphasis on the importance of conduct is continued in this paragraph.
My brethren marks the start of a new subject
The faith in God which has for its support and content our Lord Jesus Christ.
“That is the Christian kind of faith in God" "your faith is in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Whichever way it is taken, the faith is active faith, trust, directed towards the Lord Jesus Christ.
It has nothing whatever to do with the later idea of faith as a body of doctrine to be believed.
In the last part of the verse it has the Lord of glory,
The main point of this verse is that it is inconsistent to hold to the Christian faith and at the same time show partiality.
V 2. James now gives an illustration to drive home the point.
A wealthy man wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothing and a poor man dressed in vile, shabby, clothing enter into the Christian assembly
V 3. The rich man is given preferential treatment. He is offered the best seat. In either case the rich man gets special treatment, while the poor man is abruptly told to stand, or at best, to sit on the floor under my footstool, i.e., in a lowly place.
V 4., Are ye not then partial in yourselves... ? "Are you not divided?"
The division is "between profession and practice, ….between the profession of Christian equality
and the respect to rank and wealth"
V 5. Those who grant special treatment to the rich, fail to take into consideration that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to those that love Him.
V 6. Another reason why it is inconsistent to show special favour to the rich is that they have been the very ones who have persecuted the Christians.
Judgment seats is a reference to Jewish courts allowed and recognized under Roman law.
V 7. The climax of James' argument against favouring the rich is that they blaspheme that worthy name.
It is not the name 'Christian' that is blasphemed but the name of Jesus Christ, the worthy name by the which ye are called
V 8. The royal law is connected with the statement in 2:5, where James reminds his readers that God has chosen the poor to be heirs of the kingdom.
The royal law, then, is for those of God's kingdom.
V 9. For love shows no respect of persons…… Indeed, partiality is sin.
The law here is not the OT law as such (although Lev 19: 15 deals with partiality) but the teaching, the whole spirit of which is contrary to partiality.
V 10. The idea of the solidarity of the law is found in the rabbinical writings. James adopts this idea but baptizes it into Christ. This idea is closely associated with the Christian idea of fellowship with Christ.
Transgression of one guideline of the Christian rule of faith is a breach of the whole, because it breaks fellowship with the object of faith.
V 11. Two more thoughts to consider. The order of the two commandments cited (the seventh before the sixth)
V 12. James comes now to his summary of encouragement.
Believers are to speak and act (with special reference towards behaviour to the poor) as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
There is a judgment for the Christian, and it will be based on his relation to the Christian ethical standard, the law that free men accept without compulsion ( Rom 14 v 10; II Cor 5 v 10).
V 13. This verse is a warning that God shows no mercy toward those who are merciless (Mt 18 v 21-35).
And on the other hand mercy triumphs over judgment, i.e., by merciful acts God's judgment is deterred.
News from the Church New dates
3rd September..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
17th September…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
ANSWERS TO 24th August QUESTIONS
1) It tore from top to bottom 2) Carpentry 3) At night 4) An angel5) The Lords Supper (Communion) 6) Tree hours 7) A Dove 8) At a wedding 9) The body and blood of Jesus 10) Swine 11) Walked on water 12) Had John beheaded 13) Pharisees 14) The first day 15) Parables 16) In the mouth of a fish
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is General about the gospels
1 What did Jesus do for Jairus daughter?
2 What did Jesus do for Bartimaeus?
3 When did Jesus ask Peter 3 times?
4 Who told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?
5 What did the disciples do when they went to the garden to pray?
6 What was put on the head of Jesus before He was crucified?
7 Who rolled the stone from the tomb where Jesus was ?
8 The woman who gave 2 mites into the treasury, why did Jesus say she gave more than a rich man ?
9 What household item did the 10 virgins take to the weeding?
10 According to Jesus, Christians live should be like what seasoning?
11 What did people lay on the road as Jesus entered Jerusalem?
12 What clothes did John the Baptist wear?
13 Where did Jesus object to people buying and selling ?
14 Where did the Wise men come from to see Jesus?
15 What relation were John the Baptist and Jesus?
16 What was the first bed of Jesus?
2 Thessalonians 3
V1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
V 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
V 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
God Bless