James 2:1-13 - Partiality Forbidden

¹ My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, so as to show a partiality for persons. ² For if there comes into your assembly a man in splendid apparel, and with gold rings on his fingers, and there comes in also a poor man, in mean clothing, ³ and you show regard to him that wears the splendid apparel, and say to him, Sit here, in an honorable place; and you say to the poor man, Do you stand there, or sit here, under my footstool; ⁴ are you not partial in yourselves? and do you not judge from false principles?

⁵ Hear, my be loved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you dishonor the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do they not themselves drag you to the judgment-seats? ⁷ Do they not themselves revile that honorable name which is called upon you?

⁸ If, however, you fulfill the law of highest excellence, according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well. ⁹ But if you show partiality for persons, you work sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet fail in one, is an offender against all. ¹¹ For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now, though you do not commit adultery, yet, if you kill, you are a transgresssor of law.

¹² So speak, and so act, as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³ For he shall have judgment without mercy, who has shown no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.