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A Warning against Favoritism

Verse1My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.

Verse2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

Verse3If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”

Verse4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Verse5Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

Verse6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

Verse7Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

Verse8If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Verse9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Verse10Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Verse11For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

Verse12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.

Verse13For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Works

Verse14What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Verse15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

Verse16If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Verse17So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.

Verse18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Verse19You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Verse20O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?

Verse21Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

Verse22You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.

Verse23And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

Verse24As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.

Verse25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

Verse26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.