Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

just as grimly condemns it as radically inappropriate, and therefore as totally
unacceptable (Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; Gal. 2:11-14; 3:28). In fact, dehumanizing,
prejudicial, discrimination is evil to the core, and stands exposed as
such by the authoritative and compelling model conduct of God himself
(Deut. 10:17-18).
The original Greek could imply that the addressees had to stop their existing
practice of ungodly, prejudicial, favoritism (Moo, 1985, 100; Phillips,
68; Burdick, 177). It also could indicate a general prohibition (Johnson, 220).
The first option is more likely. At any rate, two things are clear. First, “unjust
judgments,” that are “based on appearances rather than on the merits of the
case,” came close to being the order of the day (Johnson, 221). Second, faith
in Christ, the very focused and full-orbed faith that already emerged in James
1:3, 5, will cease and desist from such practice! “We cannot combine snobbery
with faith in Christ” (Phillips, 68). In fact, not to desist is to bring dishonor
to Christ (Manton, 183). His glory, as the visible and luminous manifestation
of the divine (Nystrom, 115) and inglorious, “raunchy” behavior
simply do not mix. To be a follower of Christ is to reflect who he is, what he
stands for, and how he acts!
In a word, “discipleship to the Lord” is “totally inconsistent” with the
kind of “fleshly” favoritism that is the target of James’ ire (See also Mk.
12:14; Rom. 1:14; 2 Cor. 5:17; Jude 16). In fact, it is “utterly contradictory”
to it, especially if the latter is victimizing poor folks who turn out to be
“blood-bought” by Christ, and therefore “blood-relatives” of the perpetrators
of the sin, exposed in this section. One does not treat “family” this way (See
Manton, 185; Keddie, 91-93)! In fact, whether in or outside the “family”
Christians should be “color blind,” monetarily as well as otherwise. The presence
or absence of “greenbacks” as well as certain skin colors should make
no difference! Christ treated everyone the same, with the same mercy and
majesty, the same grace and holiness, the same love and justice, the same care
and honesty, according to the spiritual and physical needs of his audience.
The genuine Christian has little choice but to follow in his footsteps. 219
(2) Illustration of Partiality (2:2-4)
Both the contemptuous or off-hand treatment of, and favoritism or snobbery
shown to, a person on the basis of his “social scale,” of what he possesses, or
what he does not possess, utilize “thoroughly worldly, man-centered, and sinful
criteria” (Keddie, 93). They are clearly based upon a double standard and
contrary to the pattern of the Scriptures (Gal. 4:14, 15; Philem. 16; Heb.
219 Of course, friendship and partial treatment are not in the same ballpark!
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