Lesson 4 | Show No Partiality

1. Faith in Christ Is Incompatible with Favoritism

James 2:1 — “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”

James opens with a direct rebuke: believers must not show favoritism. The Greek word for “partiality” literally means “to receive the face”—to judge based on appearance, status, or influence. This contradicts the very nature of saving faith, which levels all people before God.

Jesus is “the Lord of glory,” which highlights the absurdity of honoring worldly glory. If Christ—the glorious One—embraced the lowly and poor, how can His people elevate social elites or despise the downtrodden?

Faith and favoritism cannot coexist. To exalt one group over another is not just unloving—it is unbelief in action. True Christianity esteems others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).

2. Favoritism Contradicts God’s Character and Values

James 2:2–5 — “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith…?”

James gives a concrete example: a wealthy man and a poor man enter the church. One is given honor, the other is dismissed. James rebukes this as “evil thoughts.” God’s kingdom does not operate like the world’s caste systems.

God often chooses the lowly to shame the proud (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). The poor are frequently more responsive to the gospel, not because poverty saves, but because it exposes need and humility. To despise them is to despise those whom God has honored.

Favoritism reflects a worldly mind, not a kingdom heart. It undermines the gospel’s power to unite people from all walks of life under one Lord (Galatians 3:28).

3. Showing Favoritism Is a Sin of Judgment

James 2:6–7 — “But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you…?”

James condemns not just partiality but the foolishness of showing preference to the rich—those who in their community context were often the very ones exploiting Christians and blaspheming Christ.

This is more than social awkwardness; it’s moral failure. To dishonor the poor is to reverse God’s value system. Worse, it honors the very enemies of Christ while pushing aside His beloved.

Favoritism is not just unkind—it’s unjust. It elevates those who reject God and suppresses those He calls precious. The church must not mirror the prejudices of society.

4. Loving Your Neighbor Fulfills the Royal Law

James 2:8–9 — “If you really fulfill the royal law… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”

James brings in the “royal law,” echoing Jesus’ own summary of the law (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). Love is the law of the kingdom—and it must extend to all, not just those we find agreeable or advantageous.

To show favoritism is to break this law and become a transgressor. This isn’t a small social faux pas; it’s lawbreaking. James levels the playing field: partiality is a sin against the sovereign command of God.

Loving our neighbor doesn’t mean treating everyone the same—it means treating everyone with the dignity and compassion due to one made in God’s image.

5. Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

James 2:10–13 — “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

James warns against a selective view of God’s law. Breaking one part—such as favoritism—makes one guilty of all. The same God who forbids adultery also forbids partiality.

In the final verses, James urges believers to speak and act as those who will be judged by the “law of liberty”—the gospel that frees us to obey joyfully. The heart transformed by grace will show mercy, not favoritism.

Those who extend mercy reflect the heart of Christ. Those who judge harshly reveal they may not know Him at all (Matthew 5:7; Micah 6:8). The gospel does not ignore justice—but mercy triumphs.