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benefit the church; rather, it could be for an individual’s honorably‐obtained
accomplishments.

Jas 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Are ye not then partial in (diekrithete: making distinctions among) yourselves . . . .

The Greek word diekrithete here was also used for the word “doubt” in 1:6. It is a variance
between two opinions within the mind of the believer. They were double minded (1:8).
These people had accepted the truth of God’s Word on social distinction, but when
confronted with a real‐life situation in church, they did not practice it. Being doers of the
Word must also occur in church.

. . . and are become judges of (with) evil thoughts?

The people in James’s church had become partial judges. They based their judgments and
sentencing on external dress and social class. This would not even be allowed in a
courtroom of the world. Only crooked judges would receive bribes from rich defendants.
Only crooked judges would sentence the poor when they could not afford bribe money.
The church of God had become no different than an unjust courtroom.

B. The Results of Prejudice

Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

The book of James is a constant message from the pastor for the congregation to quit acting
like the world. They are again addressed as “beloved brethren” (1:16, 19), a familiar quote
of James (Acts 15:13). They are commanded to think and look at life from the divine
viewpoint and see the poor and rich as God sees them. God chose the poor man before he
ever set foot in the congregation. God chose him before the foundation of the world
(Ephesians 1:4), before he ever had money or did not have money. He was chosen on the
merits of the work of Jesus, not his own works or social position. This does not mean every
poor person will be saved, but it means that their poverty will not stand in the way of God
giving them eternal life. We will always have the poor with us (Matthew 26:11).

God sees the rich in the same manner. They cannot be saved more easily because they have
money. God offers them salvation by the same method He offers to the poor, the exercise
of their faith in Jesus Christ. God never tires of giving eternal life to the poor (1 Corinthians
1:26‐29). They have great opportunities to be “rich in faith.” God also gives them a way to
become prosperous in this life (3 John 2) and to see their needs met (Philippians 4:19). God
desires as much to heal their bodies (5:14‐15) and prosper them as He does to save them.
They are rich in the “kingdom,” not only on earth but also in heaven.

A poor Christian is richer than a wealthy sinner. He possesses the riches of heaven before
he ever gets there. The more a believer knows the Word and learns to love the Lord (1 John
4:7‐8), the richer he becomes in God’s kingdom. Knowledge will bring great rewards in life
and even more in eternity. They are “heirs” because they are joined (Romans 8:17) to the
“heir of all things”— Jesus Himself (Hebrews 1:2).