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BSB
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James 2

BSB·26 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἈδελφοίAdelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, as you hold outἔχετεechete — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → your faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → inτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → gloriousδόξηςdoxēs — Radiant honor, splendor, or divine brightnessG1391 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, do not show favoritismπροσωπολημψίαιςprosōpolēmpsiais — Partiality; showing favoritism based on external statusG4382 — Full Word Study →. 2SupposeἘὰνEan — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → a manἀνὴρanēr — Adult male, man, or husbandG435 — Full Word Study → comesεἰσέλθῃeiselthē — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → meetingσυναγωγὴνsynagōgēn — gathering place; congregation; synagogueG4864 — Full Word Study → wearing a gold ring and fineλαμπρᾷlampra — shining, bright, splendidG2986 — Full Word Study → clothesἐσθῆτιesthēti — Garment, clothing, outer robeG2066 — Full Word Study →, andδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → a poor man inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → shabbyῥυπαρᾷrhypara — filthy, vile, morally corruptG4508 — Full Word Study → clothesἐσθῆτιesthēti — Garment, clothing, outer robeG2066 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → comes inεἰσέλθῃeiselthē — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study →. 3If you lavish attentionἐπιβλέψητεepiblepsēte — to look upon; to regard with attentionG1914 — Full Word Study → onἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → the man inφοροῦνταphorounta — to wear or bear habituallyG5409 — Full Word Study → fineλαμπρὰνlampran — shining, bright, splendidG2986 — Full Word Study → clothesἐσθῆταesthēta — Garment, clothing, outer robeG2066 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → sayεἴπητεeipēte — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →, “Here is a seatκάθουkathou — to sit, be seated, dwellG2521 — Full Word Study → of honorκαλῶςkalōs — well, rightly, properlyG2573 — Full Word Study →,” but sayεἴπητεeipēte — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → to theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → poor man, “YouΣὺSy — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → must standστῆθιstēthi — to stand, establish, or cause to standG2476 — Full Word Study →or«ἢē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study →SitΚάθου»Kathou — to sit, be seated, dwellG2521 — Full Word Study → atὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → feetὑποπόδιόνhypopodion — A platform or stool for the feetG5286 — Full Word Study →,” 4have you not discriminatedδιεκρίθητεdiekrithēte — to distinguish, judge, or doubt between optionsG1252 — Full Word Study → amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → yourselvesἑαυτοῖςheautois — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → becomeἐγένεσθεegenesthe — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → judges with evilπονηρῶνponērōn — Evil, wicked, morally badG4190 — Full Word Study → thoughtsδιαλογισμῶνdialogismōn — internal reasoning, doubt, or mental deliberationG1261 — Full Word Study →? 5ListenἈκούσατεAkousate — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study →, myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → belovedἀγαπητοίagapētoi — Beloved, dearly loved oneG27 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →: Has not GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → chosenἐξελέξατοexelexato — to choose or select outG1586 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → poorπτωχοὺςptōchous — Poor, destitute, needy personG4434 — Full Word Study → of this worldκόσμῳkosmō — The world; the cosmos; the system of humanity opposed to GodG2889 — Full Word Study → to be rich inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → faithπίστειpistei — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → to inheritκληρονόμουςklēronomous — one who inherits; an heirG2818 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → kingdomβασιλείαςbasileias — The reign or domain of a king; God's sovereign ruleG932 — Full Word Study → He promisedἐπηγγείλατοepēngeilato — to promise, profess, or claim openlyG1861 — Full Word Study → those whoτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → loveἀγαπῶσινagapōsin — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτόνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →? 6Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → have dishonoredἠτιμάσατεētimasate — To dishonor, shame, or treat with contemptG818 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → poorπτωχόνptōchon — Poor, destitute, needy personG4434 — Full Word Study →. Is it not theοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → richπλούσιοιplousioi — wealthy, rich, abounding in resourcesG4145 — Full Word Study → who oppressκαταδυναστεύουσινkatadynasteuousin — to oppress, tyrannize, or domineer overG2616 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → dragἕλκουσινhelkousin — to draw, drag, or pull with forceG1670 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → courtκριτήριαkritēria — judicial bench or court of lawG2922 — Full Word Study →? 7Are they notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → the ones who blasphemeβλασφημοῦσινblasphēmousin — To speak evil or insult; to blaspheme or revileG987 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → nobleκαλὸνkalon — good, beneficial, morally excellentG2570 — Full Word Study → nameὄνομαonoma — name, reputation, or authorityG3686 — Full Word Study → by whichἐφ’eph’ — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → have been calledἐπικληθὲνepiklēthen — To call upon, invoke, or appeal toG1941 — Full Word Study →? 8IfΕἰEi — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → you really fulfillτελεῖτεteleite — to finish, complete, accomplish, fulfillG5055 — Full Word Study → the royal lawνόμονnomon — law, rule, or principleG3551 — Full Word Study → stated inκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → Scriptureγραφήνgraphēn — Writing, scripture, sacred textG1124 — Full Word Study →, “LoveἈγαπήσειςAgapēseis — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → yourσουsou — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → neighborπλησίονplēsion — near, neighboring; one's neighborG4139 — Full Word Study → asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → yourselfσεαυτόνseauton — yourself; your own self (reflexive pronoun)G4572 — Full Word Study →,” you are doingποιεῖτεpoieite — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → wellκαλῶςkalōs — well, rightly, properlyG2573 — Full Word Study →. 9Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → you show favoritismπροσωπολημπτεῖτεprosōpolēmpteite — to show partiality; to favor persons based on appearance or statusG4380 — Full Word Study →, youἐργάζεσθεergazesthe — to work, labor, or perform actionG2038 — Full Word Study → sinἁμαρτίανhamartian — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study → and are convicted byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → lawνόμουnomou — law, rule, or principleG3551 — Full Word Study → asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → transgressorsπαραβάταιparabatai — one who breaks or violates law; transgressorG3848 — Full Word Study →. 10WhoeverὍστιςHostis — whoever, whichever, the one whoG3748 — Full Word Study → keepsτηρήσῃtērēsē — to guard, keep, preserve, or observeG5083 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → wholeὅλονholon — whole, entire, all, completeG3650 — Full Word Study → lawνόμονnomon — law, rule, or principleG3551 — Full Word Study → butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → stumblesπταίσῃptaisē — to stumble or trip; to cause to fall morallyG4417 — Full Word Study → atἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → just one point isγέγονενgegonen — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → guiltyἔνοχοςenochos — liable, guilty, subject to judgmentG1777 — Full Word Study → of breaking all of it. 11Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → He whoho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saidεἰπώνeipōn — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →, “Do not commit adulteryμοιχεύσῃςmoicheusēs — to commit adultery; to be unfaithful in marriageG3431 — Full Word Study →,” alsoκαίkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → saidεἶπενeipen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →, “Do not murderφονεύσῃςphoneusēs — to commit murder; to unlawfully kill a personG5407 — Full Word Study →.” Ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → you do not commit adulteryμοιχεύειςmoicheueis — to commit adultery; to be unfaithful in marriageG3431 — Full Word Study →, butδέde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → do commit murderφονεύειςphoneueis — to commit murder; to unlawfully kill a personG5407 — Full Word Study →, you have becomeγέγοναςgegonas — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → a lawbreakerνόμουnomou — law, rule, or principleG3551 — Full Word Study →. 12Speakλαλεῖτεlaleite — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → actποιεῖτεpoieite — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → those who are goingμέλλοντεςmellontes — to be about to, intend, be destinedG3195 — Full Word Study → to be judgedκρίνεσθαιkrinesthai — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → the law that gives freedomἐλευθερίαςeleutherias — Freedom; liberty from bondage or constraintG1657 — Full Word Study →. 13Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → judgmentκρίσιςkrisis — judgment, decision, or verdictG2920 — Full Word Study → without mercy will be shown to anyone whoτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → has not been mercifulποιήσαντιpoiēsanti — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study →. Mercyἔλεοςeleos — Compassion, mercy, or tender compassionG1656 — Full Word Study → triumphs overκατακαυχᾶταιkatakauchatai — to boast against; to glory over someoneG2620 — Full Word Study → judgmentκρίσεωςkriseōs — judgment, decision, or verdictG2920 — Full Word Study →. 14WhatΤίTi — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → good is it, myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → someoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → claimsλέγῃlegē — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → to haveἔχεινechein — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → hasἔχῃechē — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → noμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → deedsἔργαerga — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →? Canδύναταιdynatai — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → suchhē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → saveσῶσαιsōsai — To save, rescue, or deliver from danger or harmG4982 — Full Word Study → himαὐτόνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →? 15Supposeἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → a brotherἀδελφὸςadelphos — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → sisterἀδελφὴadelphē — female sibling; woman in spiritual kinshipG79 — Full Word Study → isὑπάρχωσινhyparchōsin — to be, exist, or be presentG5225 — Full Word Study → without clothesγυμνοὶgymnoi — naked, unclothed, without coveringG1131 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → dailyἐφημέρουephēmerou — daily, occurring each dayG2184 — Full Word Study → foodτροφῆςtrophēs — Food; nourishment; sustenanceG5160 — Full Word Study →. 16If oneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → ofἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → tellsεἴπῃeipē — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study → himαὐτοῖςautois — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →, “GoὙπάγετεHypagete — to go away, depart, or withdrawG5217 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → peaceεἰρήνῃeirēnē — Peace; absence of conflict; inner tranquilityG1515 — Full Word Study →; stay warmθερμαίνεσθεthermainesthe — to warm, to heatG2328 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → well fedχορτάζεσθεchortazesthe — to feed, satisfy, fillG5526 — Full Word Study →,” butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → does not provide forδῶτεdōte — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → his physicalσώματοςsōmatos — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study → needsἐπιτήδειαepitēdeia — necessary, needful, suitable for a purposeG2006 — Full Word Study →, whatτίti — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → good is that? 17Soοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → tooκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →, faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → byκαθ’kath’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → itselfἑαυτήνheautēn — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →, ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → it does not resultἔχῃechē — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → in actionἔργαerga — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →, isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → deadνεκράnekra — dead, lifeless, corpseG3498 — Full Word Study →. 18ButἈλλ’All’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → someoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → will sayἐρεῖerei — to say, speak, or declareG2046 — Full Word Study →, “YouΣὺSy — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → haveἔχειςecheis — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → and Iκἀγὼkagō — And I; I also; even IG2504 — Full Word Study → haveἔχωechō — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → deedsἔργαerga — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →.” Showδεῖξόνdeixon — To show, display, or demonstrateG1166 — Full Word Study → meμοιmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → yourσουsou — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → withoutχωρὶςchōris — without; apart from; separatelyG5565 — Full Word Study → deedsἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →, and Iκἀγώkagō — And I; I also; even IG2504 — Full Word Study → will showδείξωdeixō — To show, display, or demonstrateG1166 — Full Word Study → youσοιsoi — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → my faithπίστινpistin — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → byἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → deedsἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →. 19Youσὺsy — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → believeπιστεύειςpisteueis — to believe, trust, have faith inG4100 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → GodΘεόςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → oneεἷςheis — one, a single unit, unifiedG1520 — Full Word Study →. Goodκαλῶςkalōs — well, rightly, properlyG2573 — Full Word Study → for youποιεῖςpoieis — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study →! Evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → demonsδαιμόνιαdaimonia — demon; evil spiritG1140 — Full Word Study → believe that—andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → shudderφρίσσουσινphrissousin — to shudder or tremble with fearG5425 — Full Word Study →. 20Oō — O; oh; exclamation of address or emotionG5599 — Full Word Study → foolishκενέkene — empty, void, without content or effectG2756 — Full Word Study → manἄνθρωπεanthrōpe — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study →, do you wantΘέλειςTheleis — to desire, wish, or will; to be inclined towardG2309 — Full Word Study → evidenceγνῶναιgnōnai — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → withoutχωρὶςchōris — without; apart from; separatelyG5565 — Full Word Study → deedsἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → worthlessἀργήargē — idle, unproductive, inactiveG692 — Full Word Study →? 21Was not ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → fatherπατὴρpatēr — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → AbrahamἈβραὰμAbraam — Father of nationsG11 — Full Word Study → justifiedἐδικαιώθηedikaiōthē — to declare righteous; to justifyG1344 — Full Word Study → byἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → what he didἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → when he offeredἀνενέγκαςanenenkas — to carry up, bring up, or offer upG399 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → sonυἱὸνhuion — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study → IsaacἸσαὰκIsaak — He laughs; laughterG2464 — Full Word Study → onἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → altarθυσιαστήριονthysiastērion — A place or structure for offering sacrifices to GodG2379 — Full Word Study →? 22You seeβλέπειςblepeis — to see, look at, perceive, bewareG991 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → his faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → was working withσυνήργειsynērgei — to work together with; to cooperateG4903 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → actionsἔργοιςergois — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → his faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → was perfectedἐτελειώθηeteleiōthē — to make perfect, complete, or matureG5048 — Full Word Study → byἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → whatτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → he didἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →. 23Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Scriptureγραφὴgraphē — Writing, scripture, sacred textG1124 — Full Word Study → was fulfilledἐπληρώθηeplērōthē — to fill up, complete, or bring to fulfillmentG4137 — Full Word Study → thathē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saysλέγουσαlegousa — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study →, “AbrahamἈβραὰμAbraam — Father of nationsG11 — Full Word Study → believedἘπίστευσενEpisteusen — to believe, trust, have faith inG4100 — Full Word Study → GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → it was creditedἐλογίσθηelogisthē — to reckon, count, or consider as trueG3049 — Full Word Study → to himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → asεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → righteousnessδικαιοσύνηνdikaiosynēn — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study →,” andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → he was calledἐκλήθηeklēthē — to call, summon, or nameG2564 — Full Word Study → a friendφίλοςphilos — friend; one who is lovedG5384 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 24As you can seeὁρᾶτεhorate — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study →, a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → is justifiedδικαιοῦταιdikaioutai — to declare righteous; to justifyG1344 — Full Word Study → byἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → his deeds andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → byἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → faithπίστεωςpisteōs — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → aloneμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study →. 25In the same wayὉμοίωςHomoiōs — in the same way, likewise, similarlyG3668 — Full Word Study →, was not evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → RahabῬαὰβRhaab — A Canaanite prostituteG4460 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → prostituteπόρνηpornē — prostitute; sexually immoral womanG4204 — Full Word Study → justifiedἐδικαιώθηedikaiōthē — to declare righteous; to justifyG1344 — Full Word Study → byἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → her actionsἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → when she welcomedὑποδεξαμένηhypodexamenē — to welcome, receive as a guestG5264 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → spiesἀγγέλουςangelous — Messenger; divine or heavenly envoyG32 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → sent them off on anotherἑτέρᾳhetera — another, different, otherG2087 — Full Word Study → routeὁδῷhodō — road, way, path, journeyG3598 — Full Word Study →? 26Asὥσπερhōsper — just as, even as, in the same way asG5618 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → bodyσῶμαsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study → withoutχωρὶςchōris — without; apart from; separatelyG5565 — Full Word Study → the spirit isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → deadνεκρόνnekron — dead, lifeless, corpseG3498 — Full Word Study →, soοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → withoutχωρὶςchōris — without; apart from; separatelyG5565 — Full Word Study → deedsἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → deadνεκράnekra — dead, lifeless, corpseG3498 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — James 2
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

James chapter 2 addresses two critical issues in the Christian life: partiality and the relationship between faith and works. James begins by condemning favoritism in the church—showing preference to the wealthy while dismissing the poor—as incompatible with true faith in Christ. He then tackles a misunderstanding about justification, clarifying that genuine faith always produces good works. This is not a contradiction of Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone, but rather a call to recognize that the faith that saves is never alone; it always manifests in transformed behavior and loving action toward others.

Verses 1–5: The Sin of Partiality

James opens by calling believers to abandon respect of persons—the sin of making judgments based on outward appearance or social status. The vivid example in verses 2–4 illustrates the problem: a wealthy visitor with a gold ring receives preferential seating, while a poor person is told to stand or sit on the floor. This behavior reveals a corrupted standard of judgment.

Verses 5 speaks a prophetic word: God has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith (Greek plousios, abundant). The poor often possess greater spiritual wealth because poverty can humble the heart and deepen trust in God. By despising the poor, believers contradict God's own values and pattern of kingdom inclusion.

Application: Examine your church gatherings and social circles. Do you extend genuine welcome and honor to those with little social status or wealth? True faith in the glorious Christ acknowledges that all people bear His image equally.

Verses 6–12: The Law of Liberty and Justice

James sharpens the rebuke: the rich often oppress believers and drag them to court (verse 6). Yet the church honors them anyway. Furthermore, wealthy oppressors blaspheme the worthy name by which Christians are called—the name of Jesus. By showing partiality to them, believers tacitly endorse their hostility.

The remedy is the royal law (verse 8): Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Leviticus 19:18). This commandment summarizes the entire moral law. When believers show partiality, they break this central law and become transgressors (verse 9). Verse 10 explains that the law functions as an integrated whole—failure in one point constitutes guilt before the entire law. This does not mean all sins carry identical consequences, but that all sin demonstrates lawlessness before a holy God.

Application: Love toward our neighbor—especially the vulnerable and marginalized—is not optional but fundamental to obedience. Partiality is not a minor social blunder; it violates the heart of God's moral law.

Verses 13–26: Faith Without Works Is Dead

James transitions to his central theme: the inseparability of faith and works. Those who show no mercy receive no mercy (verse 13)—a sobering principle. Verses 14–20 pose the key question: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Faith claimed but not lived out cannot save. The example of providing for the naked and hungry without actually meeting their needs (verses 15–16) illustrates empty profession.

Verse 19 cuts to the heart: even demons believe in God's existence and tremble. Intellectual assent is not saving faith. Verses 21–25 provide Old Testament proof: Abraham's faith was "made perfect" through his willingness to offer Isaac (verse 22), and Rahab the harlot was "justified by works" when she sheltered the messengers. Both passages show that genuine faith always produces obedient action.

Verse 26 delivers the final metaphor: faith without works is dead, just as the body without the spirit is corpse—lifeless and useless.

Application: Examine your own profession of faith. Does Christ's love move you to tangible action toward the needy? Does your faith change how you treat others? True faith is alive, active, and always working.

Application for Today

James challenges us to abandon both spiritual snobbery and passive religion. In our consumer culture, we too easily honor the wealthy and overlook the vulnerable. And we too easily claim faith while ignoring concrete needs around us. The Spirit invites us to align with God's values: honor the poor, love your neighbor as yourself, and let your faith prove itself alive through loving action in Christ's name.

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