James 2:9
James 2:9 in Multiple Translations
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
But if you take a man's position into account, you do evil, and are judged as evil-doers by the law.
But if you show favoritism, you're sinning. The law convicts you as guilty of breaking it.
But if yee regarde the persons, yee commit sinne, and are rebuked of the Lawe, as transgressours.
and if ye accept persons, sin ye do work, being convicted by the law as transgressors;
But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors.
But if you honor some people more than others, you are ◄doing wrong/sinning►. And because you do not do what God commanded us to do, he condemns you [PRS] because you disobey his laws.
But if you are good to some people but hard on other people, you are doing the wrong thing. You are not following that law.
Berean Amplified Bible — James 2:9
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James 2:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — James 2:9
Study Notes — James 2:9
- Context
- Cross References
- James 2:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on James 2:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 2:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 2:9
- Trapp's Commentary on James 2:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on James 2:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 2:9
- Cambridge Bible on James 2:9
- Barnes' Notes on James 2:9
- Whedon's Commentary on James 2:9
- Sermons on James 2:9
Context — A Warning against Favoritism
9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 19:15 | You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. |
| 2 | James 2:1–4 | My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? |
| 3 | 1 John 3:4 | Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. |
| 4 | John 8:46 | Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? |
| 5 | John 16:8 | And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: |
| 6 | Romans 3:20 | Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. |
| 7 | John 8:9 | When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there. |
| 8 | Jude 1:15 | to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” |
| 9 | Romans 7:7–13 | What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. |
| 10 | Galatians 2:19 | For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. |
James 2:9 Summary
[James 2:9 teaches us that showing favoritism to certain people is a sin, because it goes against God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves, as seen in Matthew 22:39. When we show favoritism, we are not treating everyone with equal love and respect, and this can lead to conviction under God's law. To avoid this, we should strive to treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their background or status, just like Jesus did in Luke 15:1-2. By following God's law and loving our neighbors as ourselves, we can build stronger, more loving relationships with those around us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'showing favoritism' in James 2:9?
Showing favoritism means treating someone better than others because of their wealth, status, or other external factors, rather than treating everyone with equal love and respect, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39.
How does showing favoritism relate to sinning?
Showing favoritism is considered a sin because it goes against the royal law of loving our neighbors as ourselves, as stated in James 2:8 and Leviticus 19:18, and it leads to conviction under the law as transgressors, as seen in James 2:9.
What is the 'law' being referred to in James 2:9?
The 'law' in James 2:9 refers to the moral law of God, which includes commands such as loving our neighbors as ourselves, as stated in Matthew 22:39, and not showing partiality, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:17 and Romans 2:11.
How can we avoid showing favoritism in our daily lives?
We can avoid showing favoritism by treating everyone with equal love and respect, regardless of their background or status, and by following the example of Jesus, who loved and accepted people from all walks of life, as seen in Luke 15:1-2 and John 4:1-42.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I show favoritism in my own life, and how can I change my behavior to treat everyone with equal love and respect?
- How does showing favoritism affect my relationships with others, and what can I do to build stronger, more loving relationships?
- What does it mean to be 'convicted by the law as transgressors', and how can I avoid this conviction by following God's law?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of loving my neighbors as myself in my daily interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on James 2:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 2:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 2:9
Trapp's Commentary on James 2:9
Ellicott's Commentary on James 2:9
Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 2:9
Cambridge Bible on James 2:9
Barnes' Notes on James 2:9
Whedon's Commentary on James 2:9
Sermons on James 2:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Proverbs) ch.28:19 - 29:17 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in our daily lives, even in our interactions with others. He highlights Proverbs 28:20, which warns against the |
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The Bible on Sin by Ray Brubaker | In this sermon, Ray Brubaker discusses the concept of sin and its consequences. He highlights that sin is the fundamental cause of divisions in society and the woes of the world. B |
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The Court of Boston, to Make That Law of Banishment &C. by Isaac Penington | Isaac Penington preaches about the Quakers' beliefs and practices being unjustly condemned by the authorities in New England, highlighting their obedience to God over earthly honor |
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God’s War on Poverty and Riches by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon titled "God's War on Poverty and Riches," Dr. J. Vernon McGee discusses the concept of poverty and riches from a biblical perspective. He highlights that God is not |
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Epistle 367 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the necessity of living a life of righteousness and holiness, as it is essential for seeing God and maintaining peace within a community. He warns that unholi |
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Is It Wrong to Be Like Oprah? by Francis Chan | In the video, the speaker shares about their experience in Mexico where they went to serve and give to those in need. They describe how the church was alive and worshiped different |
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(God and Man) Being Delivered From the World by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the ongoing battle against the world system that surrounds us. He compares it to plugging holes in a leaky roof, where new holes keep appeari |






