James 2:1

King James Bible

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."

Commentary

James addresses fellow believers with familial warmth while issuing a prohibition—faith in Christ must not be practiced alongside favoritism. The construction emphasizes that genuine Christian faith is incompatible with partiality. This majestic title recalls Christ's divine splendor and echoes Old Testament descriptions of God's presence. By invoking Christ's glorious nature, James heightens the contrast between heavenly values and earthly social distinctions. The phrase refers to showing favoritism based on external factors like wealth or status—literally "receiving the face" in Greek. James targets the common practice of honoring the rich while dishonoring the poor, which contradicts the impartial love of God.

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