In this section, we will see James’ command to not show partiality in church.
But how does James go from suffering, trials and tribulation to partiality?
One of the things that becomes important in our trials and tribulation is the role of community. James, as he is giving wisdom and insight now turns from his earlier exhortation in James 1 to dealing with church life.
In James 2:2, the word “assembly” refers to what we call the church. Community life can be a great help or hindrance to the Christian.
This is not the first time that wealth is being addressed. James has already mentioned it in James 1:9-11. A group in this church may be tempted to think that because they have more resources, are insulated from trials. James also makes the converse point — that the poor should not think of themselves as downtrodden.
(A) Guard a holy society and reject partiality (Jas 2:1-4)
James paints two scenarios for contrast in James 2:2-3. Two men — a rich and poor enter. The rich man is decked out with a gold ring and fine clothing, and attention is paid to him (Jas 2:2). He is also told to sit in a good place (Jas 2:2). The usher wants the rich man to know that he has been offered a good place. The poor man in shabby clothing is, instead, told to stand or to sit at the feet of the speaker (Jas 2:3).
We see here how partiality is not just about how you treat people. It is how you treat people because of what you want from them — respect, favour, some kind of material gain etc. Thus, the poor is seen as not useful — and there is no need to go out of the way to offer a good seat.
In James 2:4, he says that in doing so, they have firstly made distinctions among themselves and secondly, become judges with evil thoughts.
Now, we might ask if it is wrong to make distinctions. What is being called out here is the way the distinction is being made with a transactional mindset. There is a way to make distinctions that James sees as evil.
Remember that James is talking to the church, the gathered people of God. Together, they are holding the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Jas 2:1). He is not talking society in general, but about God’s people in a local assembly, a local church. In this context, drawing distinctions between people who can transact with me and those who cannot benefit me makes us judges with evil thoughts.
It is not wrong to judge (c.f. Matt 7). There are contexts in which we should judge and in James 2, we are told not to make the wrong kind of distinctions in the people of God. In drawing this kind of lines , we undermine the unity and character of the people of God.
In Ephesians 2:11-14, Paul explained to the church in Ephesus that all who were not Jews — uncircumcision — were separated from Christ. But Christ came to preach peace to those who were far off and to those who were near, and brings both together in the church (Eph 2:17-22). Paul goes on to talk about the mystery that is now revealed — that in Christ, Jews and Gentiles are united in Ephesians 3:1-10 . Every time the church gathers, God is glorified and seen as wise by the rules and authorities in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10). God’s game plan has always been to go from Jesus, promised in Scripture, to go forth with the gospel, to bring in the Gentiles. When a diverse body gathers in one church, God is seen as wise.
In the church, when the CEO sits next to the taxi driver, and their ethnicity is mixed, who is seen as wise? Hold fast to Ephesians 3:10 whenever you go to church. It is not just human eyes that are looking but the church is also a testimony to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Your church, with all its imperfect people — their diversity brings God glory.
James is saying the same thing. Hold to this faith, and not divide what God has joined together. We treat each other the way we have been treated in Christ. We can offer nothing to each other except Christ. This is the holy society that we have been formed for and built into in Christ.
What do you think of as you go to church? What are you guarding as you go to church? Practice no partiality. View each other with the lens Christ views us with.
What is this lens? Read on.
(B) Understand with honour the poor (Jas 2:5)
In James 2:5, he prefaces his command to make clear who exactly he is referring to. James is addressing his “beloved brothers” (Jas 1:5a), i.e. the Christians in the church. Thus, James is not speaking about socioeconomic class in society in general, but within the church.
In 1 Corinthians 1:27–29, we read Paul’s words: “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.“ It is clear who and what God chose and did not choose.
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we see how Jesus, though He was rich, made Himself poor that we who are poor, might, through Him, become rich. Now, this does not mean that we are going to definitely become rich materially in Christ. Christian people are not guaranteed riches in this world. We recognise that we have not been called into God’s family because of anything we have done. This is hard to admit in a meritocratic society, when we seek security in what we have done.
This is a humbling thought. Before God, we should rightly think of ourselves as poor.
If these sound foreign to you, and you are not a Christian, all that is required for us is to recognise our spiritual poverty. We bring nothing and God did everything for us in Christ. Christ paid not for His sins, but ours. All we do is cling and trust in Christ. Turn from your sins and trust in Jesus, and you will have assurance in His name.
In James 2:5, we are told that God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. This is similar to the language in the Beatitudes, where the poor in spirit are said to be blessed for theirs is the kingdom of God (c.f. Matt 5:3-5).
If you feel downtrodden, that people are taking advantage of you and that you are powerless, what a comfort it is to know that God has not chosen the strong and rich but has chosen you. He chose you that you might be His. He might be your defender and fight your battles. He will be your crown. You do not need worldly power and security to define you.
If you are rich, this will be a rough passage for you. It calls you to place your security not on worldly, earthly things.
Why? James goes on to teach us that God has promised us the kingdom, that we will be heirs (Jas 1:5). We have a kingdom awaiting us! We ought not to despise the promises of our faith and look elsewhere for comfort. We are not like our neighbours who seek their refuge and peace in holidays, comfort, alcohol, a spouse, family etc. We are the people who say that our hope and joy is in the life to come. We are awaiting something that we have not yet seen. We are waiting for one we have not yet met and one day, we will see Him and our hearts will be satisfied. He is all that our heart longs for.
We will not get there if we train our senses to look here. So, being poor in spirit is a discipline we have to cultivate. One way we do that is to learn not to despise the poor. The poor in Christ have so much to teach us and instruct us on, when it comes to being dependent on God.
What are you learning in your walk with God? Who are your role models? Are you seeking the rich and powerful? Or do you honour the poor?
As 1 Timothy 5 tells us, Paul calls us to honour those who are truly widows — those who can do nothing for us. They have much to teach us about trusting and depending on God.
(C) Understand with mercy the rich (Jas 2:6-7)
In James 2:6-7, James seems to be referring to the wealthy who target the church and have spoken ill of Christ (“honourable name”). Remember that James is the brother of Jesus. He is worshipping his brother, the one he did not believe in earlier on (John 7:5).
The rich in society oppress with their power and resources (Jas 2:6). James’ argument goes — why would you show partiality to them? The world has never been their friend. We ought to then realise that wealth in this world is not your friend. Having influence in this world is not your friend.
But, isn’t it good to have a good job and standing in society? It is irrelevant ultimately — our confidence and security should not come from the same sources as this world.
In the parable in Luke 16:19-31, the rich man, even as he died, remained unrepentant. He did not have compassion on the poor even in Hades. The rich in this life place their hopes in the wrong places. Notice that the poor in this life will be comforted, protected and they will get justice!
These are the words of Jesus, who was poor in this life. How do we treat the poor? How do we see ourselves? How do we see God’s church?