In James 2:1 we find a prohibitive caution against the practice of showing partiality in our dealings with others – “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” In James 2:2-4 we find a forceful confrontation against the problem of showing partiality in our very church services. Grammatically, these three verses encompass a single “if-then” sentence that concludes with a confrontational and convicting question. The “if” portion of this sentence covers all of verses 2-3 and can be divided into two parts. First, there is the hypothetical circumstance of verse 2 – “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment.” Second, there is the realistic case of verse 3 – “And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool.” The “then” portion of this sentence covers verse 4 and can also be divided into two parts, for this portion of the sentence asks a two-fold question. First, there is the question of reproving confrontation – “Are ye not then partial in yourselves?” Second, there is the question of sinful cause – “And are become judges of evil thoughts?”
1. The Hypothetical Circumstance 2. The Realistic Case 3. The Reproving Confrontation 4. The Sinful Cause
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Pastor Scott Markle was raised in a Christian home, and received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior at the age of four. He has served the Lord his God and Savior in pastoral ministry since 1992. He has served as the pastor of Melvin Baptist Church, a small country church in the...