Sinful distinctions (1-4): Under the heading of “favoritism” James warns us against making sinful “distinctions” between people. For James’ audience, this issue took the form of honoring the rich and dishonoring the poor, and he draws up a hypothetical situation[1] as an example, but the underlying problem is evil thinking (self-interest). Self-interest and faith in Jesus do not mix.[2]
Divine Perspective (5-7): James then gives us the proper divine perspective by which we are to treat fellow man: The lowly in this world may very well be God’s elect, our brethren in Christ.[3] If we dishonor them, we have lost touch with the heart of God[4] who often makes them “rich in faith” (Psalm 73:25). Also, the elites whom we think we can gain the most from may actually be enemies of Christ. For Christ, the affluent Jewish elites were the ones most antagonistic to Him. They blasphemed Him, opposed His teaching and ultimately sent Him to the cross.[5] Likewise, it is often the well-off who are the most antagonistic toward Christians,[6] as they have most to lose in this life by following Christ. In the end, James teaches us that we should see the elites and the lowly in society as God sees them, and that it is often the former who oppose the church and her Lord, whose call is the same (to upper and lower class alike) to humble themselves and repent[7] and serve Him as the Lord.[8]
[1] 2:2-3
describes a hypothetical situation (third class condition in Greek, “if [e-an
(ἐάν)]” + subjunctive verb).
[2] Jesus
taught that we are to care for the needy. Cf. Matt. 6:2-3; Luke 6:20, 24; 10:30-37;
Acts 20:35.
[3] God’s election of the lowly is seen elsewhere in Scripture: cf. Luke 1:48-53 and 1 Cor. 1:27-29.
[4] The church
is to care for those in distress (1:27). Jesus taught us to reach out to the
needy (Luke 14:12-14).
[5] Blaspheme (Matt. 12:24, 32; 27:63), oppose (Matt. 22:15, 35; Luke 16:14), crucify (Matt. 12:14; 26:59).
[6] Cf. John 15:19 for general persecution. Cf. Acts 4:1-3; 13:50; 25:2 for persecution from the social elites.
[7] Christ calls all to humility (Luke 18:14) and repentance (Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30).
[8] James
saw himself as a “slave” (1:1) or “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (2:1). Cf. also 1 Cor. 7:22; Rev. 1:1.