James 2:1–26

Introduction

James 2:1–26: James warns against treating people differently based on outward appearances. The commandment to love your neighbor as yourself applies whether the neighbor is rich or poor, powerful or weak. James argues that having faith by itself is not enough, since faith is perfected by actions—without them it is “dead.” Citing the examples of Abraham and Rahab (see Genesis 22:1–14; Judges 2:1–21), he concludes that our actions that accompany our faith put us right with God.

Today’s Key Verse: James 2:24 GNT

You see, then, that it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not by our faith alone.

Read

2 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. ² Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. ³ If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, “Have this best seat here,” but say to the poor man, “Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives.

⁵ Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him. ⁶ But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich! ⁷ They are the ones who speak evil of that good name which has been given to you.

⁸ You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ⁹ But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. ¹⁰ Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. ¹¹ For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder. ¹² Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. ¹³ For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

¹⁴ My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you? ¹⁵ Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. ¹⁶ What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don’t give them the necessities of life? ¹⁷ So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.” ¹⁹ Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe—and tremble with fear. ²⁰ You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is useless? ²¹ How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. ²² Can’t you see? His faith and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions. ²³ And the scripture came true that said, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” And so Abraham was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see, then, that it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not by our faith alone.

²⁵ It was the same with the prostitute Rahab. She was put right with God through her actions, by welcoming the Israelite spies and helping them to escape by a different road.

²⁶ So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead.

Reflect

How has God shown favor to the poor (verse 5)? What will happen to people who do not show mercy (verse 13)? James gives an example of those who believe in God but do not obey God with their actions (verse 19). Who are they? How did Abraham and Rahab put their faith into practice? In what areas of your life could you act more consistently with your faith?

Pray

Lord God, you are living and active; your love shines forth in your merciful works. Make us slow to judge and quick to be kind, meeting others with the mercy you have shown us. Give us faith that is living and working through love, that our lives may be pleasing to you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

James 3:1–18: James warns against evil speech and describes the fruits of godly wisdom.