1. James introduce chapter two by presenting a problem (vv. 1-4)
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

2. James Implores His Readers to Listen
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Translated: “pay attention” (CEV); “notice” (Phillips)
Means: Pay very close attention
Calls upon his readers to develop a different mindset

3. Listen, By Beloved Brethren A Call To a Different Mindset
(James 2)
A Call To a Different Mindset
From Partiality to Equal

4. From Partiality to Equal
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality (vv. 2-4)
Favoritism based upon external or worldly ground
Translations:
“made distinctions” (ESV, ASV)
“you are making some people more important than others” (NCV)
Gives a hypothetical instance to illustrate
Rich receive and welcome (that is good – not what is condemned)
What is condemned – poor did not receive the same
Distinctions were made

5. From Partiality to Equal
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality (vv. 2-4)
Problem with Partiality
Contrary to the faith (v. 1)
“The faith” = the word (cf. Gal. 2:16)
God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11)

6. From Partiality to Equal
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality (vv. 2-4)
Problem with Partiality
Contrary to the faith (v. 1)
Makes distinctions from wrong motives (v. 4)
“make judgments based on wrong motives” (TEV)
“become judges with evil motives (NET)
Judgment is not fair and impartial

7. From Partiality to Equal
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality (vv. 2-4)
Problem with Partiality
Contrary to the faith (v. 1)
Makes distinctions from wrong motives (v. 4)
Disregards the poor (vv. 5-7)
“But you show no respect to the poor” (v. 6, NCV)
Insulting to the poor
God has chosen: (v. 5)
The poor of this world
Rich in faith
Heirs of the kingdom
Those who love God

8. From Partiality to Equal
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality (vv. 2-4)
Problem with Partiality
Contrary to the faith (v. 1)
Makes distinctions from wrong motives (v. 4)
Disregards the poor (vv. 5-7)
Contrary to Love (v. 8)
Is Sin (v. 9)
Honors the very ones who oppose the righteous (vv. 6-7)

9. From Partiality to Equal
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality (vv. 2-4)
Problem with Partiality
Possible that We Need a Different Mindset
We could be showing favoritism to rich over the lowly
We could be showing favoritism to educated over the unlearned
We could be showing favoritism to one race or against another
We could be showing favoritism to family and friends

10. Listen, By Beloved Brethren A Call To a Different Mindset
(James 2)
A Call To a Different Mindset
From Partiality to Equal Treatment
From Double Standards to Same Standard

11. From Double Standards to Same Standard
(vv. 1-9)
The Double Standard
Use one standard to judge one – a different standard for another
Double standards are unfair
Favoritism is a double standard – i.e. treat the rich different than the poor

12. From Double Standards to Same Standard
(vv. 1-9)
The Double Standard
What is the Problem with the Double Standard?
Doesn’t follow the ONE standard, the faith (v. 1)
Selfish (v. 4)
Unloving (v. 8)
Fails to treat neighbor as expect for self (v. 8)

13. From Double Standards to Same Standard
(vv. 1-9)
The Double Standard
What is the Problem with the Double Standard?
Possible that we Need a Different Mindset
Treat others one way – but expect different for self (Matt. 7:12)
One rule of family – another for others
Criticize in one what we would accept in another
Hypocrisy

14. Listen, By Beloved Brethren A Call To a Different Mindset
(James 2)
A Call To a Different Mindset
From Partiality to Equal Treatment
From Double Standards to Same Standard
From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority

15. From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality Based on Material Priority
Emphasis on external – not spiritual
Emphasis on material – impressed with gold ring, fine apparel, riches

16. From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality Based on Material Priority
Priority is all Backwards
Rich in faith (v. 5)
Heirs of kingdom (v. 5)
Love (v. 8)
Here is what rich people often do (vv. 6-7)
Value of the spiritual – top billing (Matt. 6:33)

17. From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority
(vv. 1-9)
Partiality Based on Material Priority
Priority is all Backwards
We may Need a Different Mindset
How we judge “success”
How we judge one “worth”
Spend most of our time – focused on material / making money, etc. little time on our soul
Think of the work of the church – think of what we doing to the material building – vs – spreading the gospel

18. Listen, By Beloved Brethren A Call To a Different Mindset
(James 2)
A Call To a Different Mindset
From Partiality to Equal Treatment
From Double Standards to Same Standard
From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority
From Piecemealing to the Whole Law

19. From Piecemealing to the Whole Law
(vv )
Piecemealing
Take one part of the law as important / binding – yet disregard another (minor or insignificant)
Context: show partiality – yet strict on adultery, stealing, etc.

20. From Piecemealing to the Whole Law
(vv )
Piecemealing
Take the Whole Law
Law is a package deal (v. 10)
“It is not as if he has broken a law, rather he has broken the law. And since he has chosen to breach it in this one particular, he has broken the whole of it.”
Daniel H. King, Sr. The Book of James, 210

21. From Piecemealing to the Whole Law
(vv )
Piecemealing
Take the Whole Law
Law is a package deal (v. 10)
Author of one part is the author of the rest (v. 11)
We will be judged by the whole law (vv )
Not just the part we like to emphasize
Must live in view of how we will be judged
If we become lax in one part of the law – likely to become lax in another!

22. From Piecemealing to the Whole Law
(vv )
Piecemealing
Take the Whole Law
We may Need a Different Mindset
“If that is all I ever do wrong” – Idea of “I keep most of the word…”
Redefine the law – so that what I want to do is not sin
Make distinction in laws (important and not important)
Emphasis on part of the law wherein I do well – ignore rest
Attendance – yet ignore discipline of children
Keeper at home – yet ignore modesty
Marriage is for life – yet ignore leadership / submission

23. Listen, By Beloved Brethren A Call To a Different Mindset
(James 2)
A Call To a Different Mindset
From Partiality to Equal Treatment
From Double Standards to Same Standard
From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority
From Piecemealing to the Whole Law
From Inactive Faith to a Working Faith

24. From Inactive Faith to a Working Faith
(vv )
Inactive Faith
Can’t save (v. 14)
Is Dead (v. 17, 20)
Does not profit (vv )
Stated – then illustrated
True faith is more than acknowledgment / verbalization
No better than devils (v. 19)

25. From Inactive Faith to a Working Faith
(vv )
Inactive Faith
Working Faith
Works show our faith (v. 18)
Examples of works showing faith
Abraham (vv. 21, 23)
Rahab (v. 25)

26. From Inactive Faith to a Working Faith
(vv )
Inactive Faith
Working Faith
We may Need a Different Mindset
When we cease working and acting upon faith we are dead!
When we no longer:
Read our Bibles
Pray every day
Worship and praise
Are charitable toward others
Active in serving
Have evidence of spiritual life
We Are Dead!

27. Listen, By Beloved Brethren A Call To a Different Mindset
(James 2)
A Call To a Different Mindset
From Partiality to Equal Treatment
From Double Standards to Same Standard
From Material Priority to Spiritual Priority
From Piecemealing to the Whole Law
From Inactive Faith to a Working Faith