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James 2:1-4
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Lord of glory, with respect of persons…

Leviticus 19:15
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty:but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

are.

John 8:9,46
And they which heardit, being convicted bytheir own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest,even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst…

John 16:8
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

1 Corinthians 14:24
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, orone unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

transgressors.

Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the lawis the knowledge of sin.

Romans 7:7-13
What shall we say then?Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet…

Galatians 2:19
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

you sin
Sin, in biblical terms, is any action, thought, or attitude that goes against God's will and His laws. The Bible consistently teaches that sin separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2) and that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). By showing favoritism, believers are not merely making a social faux pas but are committing a moral and spiritual offense. This underscores the seriousness with which God views partiality, equating it with other sins that violate His commandments.

and are convicted by the law
The law here refers to the moral law of God, as revealed in the Scriptures. In the Jewish tradition, the law was given through Moses and included commandments that governed ethical and religious life. James, writing to a primarily Jewish-Christian audience, emphasizes that the law serves as a standard by which actions are judged. The conviction by the law implies that the law exposes sin and holds individuals accountable. This reflects the broader biblical theme that the law reveals human sinfulness and the need for divine grace (Romans 7:7).

as transgressors
A transgressor is someone who violates a command or law. In the biblical sense, transgression is a willful act of disobedience against God's commands. By showing favoritism, believers are not only sinning but are also breaking the law, thus becoming transgressors. This highlights the gravity of favoritism, placing it on the same level as other acts of disobedience. The term "transgressor" connects to the broader biblical narrative of humanity's rebellion against God and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law and offers forgiveness for all transgressions (Colossians 2:13-14).

• The sentence begins with a conditional: “But if.” James pictures a situation that could easily happen in any gathering, especially in church (see the earlier illustration inJames 2:1-4).

• “Show favoritism” is treating people differently based on outward factors—wealth, status, appearance. God is consistently opposed to that behavior.

–Romans 2:11: “For God does not show favoritism.”

–Leviticus 19:15 warns against favoring either rich or poor.

–Deuteronomy 10:17 describes the Lord as “showing no partiality.”

–Acts 10:34 echoes the same truth as Gentiles are welcomed into the gospel family.

• When believers show favoritism, we misrepresent the character of our impartial God and undercut the unity Christ purchased (Galatians 3:28).

• James does not soften the charge. Favoritism is not a minor social faux pas; it is sin.

–1 John 3:4: “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.”

–Romans 3:23 reminds us that any falling short—including partiality—misses God’s glory.

• By labeling favoritism as sin, James puts it in the same category as theft, adultery, or murder (compareJames 2:11). We cannot excuse it as mere personality preference.

• “Convicted” points to the inner verdict handed down by God’s standard.

–John 16:8 describes the Spirit’s work: “He will convict the world in regard to sin.”

–Romans 3:19 says the law leaves “every mouth… silenced” and the world “accountable to God.”

• The moment we play favorites, God’s Word places a divine spotlight on the act, exposing it as wrong. Even if no one else notices, heaven’s courtroom does.

• The “law” James refers to includes both the moral law and, more specifically, “the royal law” to love your neighbor as yourself (James 2:8).

• Once the law is brought in, the verdict is clear: we are “transgressors”—lawbreakers.

–James 2:10: “Whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

–Galatians 3:24 explains that the law “became our guardian to lead us to Christ,” showing our need for His mercy.

–Romans 7:7 adds that without the law we would not recognize sin; its purpose is to reveal the boundary we crossed.

• Favoritism fails the love-your-neighbor test. When we cross that line, the law does precisely what it is meant to do: identify the trespass and point us back to grace.

James 2:9 insists that favoritism is not a harmless social preference; it is sin that violates God’s impartial nature and breaches His law of love. The moment we show partiality, God’s Word convicts us as lawbreakers. Recognizing that verdict drives us to repent, treat everyone with Christlike honor, and rely afresh on the mercy extended to us at the cross.