In James 1:19-27, he shows the importance of putting spiritual truth into practice.  Here James discusses the application of the Word of Truth to specific aspects of life.  “In 2:1-13 he shows how partiality or discrimination violates the standard of God’s truth.” (NIV Commentary).

2:1 – James flat out says, “Don’t show favoritism,” or stop showing favoritism.  They already are showing partiality as revealed in vs. 6.  Partiality is inconsistent with faith.  If we show partiality, we are, with our actions, contradicting what we say we believe.

2:2 – He now begins a practical example of discrimination.  “Meeting” – rendered from “synagogue” – to show that the Jewish Christians still referred to their meeting place in the customary term.  Two men enter.  One appears rich by his clothing; the other appears poor by his dress.

2:3 – Showing “special attention” or favoritism to the rich person is brought out by the fact that this person is offered a better seat while the poorly dressed person is told to sit on the floor.  The person speaking has a stool for his feet yet the beggar is told to sit on the floor.  This contrast is made to show more clearly the discrimination.

2:4 –Full agreement with the obvious answer is expected here to the question posed.  Yes, they have discriminated and this is an evil practice – something we need to recognize in all areas of our lives and correct.  This practice is really judging others and actually being unjust judges at that.

2:5 – Vs. 5-11 bring up two arguments against showing favoritism.  The first, vs. 5-7, is a social argument.  He gets our attention, their attention … “Listen my dear brothers…”  The early church was made up primarily of the poorer people … “poor in the eyes of the world.”  They are not really poor, as James points out, but rather, are “rich in faith” and heirs of the kingdom.  James is referring to the kingdom in eternity where they will realize their richness in God.  (See: Matt. 11:5  and  1 Cor. 1:26-29).  “So that no one can boast before Him.” 

Read: Mark 10:17-27 – The Rich Young Ruler – One reason God “has chosen those who are poor.”  The wealth and materialism of the “rich” stands in their way to entering the kingdom of heaven.  God blesses and honors those who recognize their true spiritual poverty (Matt. 5:3).

2:6,7 – James makes a contrasting point here and kind of rubs his reader’s nose in their error by asking three pointed questions … He basically tells them that they have not honored the poor and have shown favoritism to the rich – however …  (1) “Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?”   (2) “Are they (the rich) not the ones who are dragging you into court?” (Acts 16:19; 21:30)   (3) “Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of Him to whom you belong?” (Christ’s name, by which we are called Christians, is noble and is being blasphemed and slandered against by these – who don’t need God.  We are His people – called by His name … 2 Chron. 7:14 – O.T. and N.T. concept.  We should never show favoritism, especially to those who blaspheme the wonderful name of our Savior.

2:8 – In vs. 8-11, James moves to his moral argument against favoritism.  In Matt. 22:36-40, Jesus sums up all the laws dealing with human relationships into one commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  All other human relationship laws fall subordinate to this one.  There for, we are compelled not to show favoritism since that would not be loving the one ill-favored.  We must be careful not to only read what we want to from Jesus’ words.  By keeping this “royal law,” we are doing what is “right.”  To love others is to show favoritism to every one regardless of status, wealth, clothing, or any other superficial distasteful distractions.  This is God’s command!

2:9 – Here James shows the negative aspect of this same law.  By not loving, we are showing partiality that is not just wrong, but it is sin in God’s eyes.  We then fall under the judgment of God and are guilty under the law as lawbreakers.

2:10 – A widely used verse here to bring out that showing favoritism is an offense equal to breaking any or all of the law.  This supreme rule is the culmination of several commandments and to sin against God by violating this law is equal to breaking any known commandment of God.  We all fail in various points, but even if we were to “keep the whole law” and fail at only this one point, we are guilty of being a lawbreaker, period.

2:11 – “For” again as in vs. 10 shows a further explanation about the previous point.  The “Law” of God is a singular entity being the expression of the character and will of God.  To violate the Law in any one point is a violation of the will of God.  When viewed in this way, breaking any of the laws is far from insignificant including showing favoritism.

2:12 – James warns them strongly here with a double command in the original… “So speak and so act.”  They are to bear in mind the pending judgment waiting them if they do not heed the warning.  See: 2 Cor. 5:10 regarding the Judgment Seat of Christ.  We will be judged against the “law that give us freedom.”  This “royal law” is the standard for God’s judgment and not the man made rules and we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to keep this perfect law of love.

2:13 – Mercy is the focal point here.  Matt. 18:33 teaches that those who have received mercy should therefore be merciful.  The poor man in vs. 2 was not shown mercy but discrimination and that by professing Christians.  A strict judgment awaits those who violate God’s will and His law.  “Mercy should be the mark of the regenerated person.” (NIV Commentary).  The believer who understands and practices mercy will have nothing to fear at the judgment to come.  (1 John 4:17)