Wicked Partiality

The epistle of James focuses on three important themes that are introduced in its first chapter and then developed throughout the rest of the letter: trials (1:2–4, 12–18), wisdom (vv. 5–8, 19–26), and the rich and the poor (vv. 9–11, 27). Given that widows and orphans were among the poorest people in the ancient world, James’ reference to them in 1:27 naturally leads into further discussion of riches and poverty. This discussion and a connected theological reflection on salvation are found in James 2.

James focuses in today’s passage on how the sin of partiality with respect to wealth has no place in the church. Historically, most commentators have said that James 2:1–4 has in view the setting of corporate worship and that some of the churches that James knew about were favoring the rich and relegating poor Christians to a lesser place in the assembly. It is possible, however, that James refers not to the worshiping assembly but to the gathering of church leaders to execute church discipline. Either way, James’ basic point is clear: Wealth and any other external criteria are not to be the basis for making distinctions within the covenant community or for issuing judgments. James, of course, is not really saying anything new here in forbidding partiality based on socioeconomic status. The law of God, after all, forbids this (see Lev. 19:15). Note, however, that James speaks of distinctions within the Christian church and not society in general. Matthew Henry comments: “All undue honoring of worldly greatness and riches should especially be watched against in Christian societies. James does not here encourage rudeness or disorder. Civil respect must be paid, and some difference may be allowed in our carriage towards persons of different ranks; but this respect must never be such as to influence the proceedings of Christian societies in disposing of the offices of the church, or in passing the censures of the church, or in any thing that is purely a matter of religion; here we are to know no man after the flesh.”

In not showing partiality based on wealth in the church, we imitate God Himself, “who is not partial and takes no bribe” (Deut. 10:17). Otherwise, we have “made distinctions among” ourselves—more literally, we are “divided within” ourselves. Judging based on externals is the kind of double-mindedness that James warns us about (James 1:5–8). Few things are more contradictory than professing allegiance to the Lord while not judging by truth and character.