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But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of (convicted by) the
law as transgressors.

Respect of persons is a violation of any or all of the commandments in the Word of God.
The believers in the church at Jerusalem were sinning and James was going to bring it to
their attention. Not only was James telling them they were sinning, the law stood over them
as a condemnation of their attitudes.

Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is
guilty of all.

Here again is an illustration of the rich young ruler. He was guilty of the whole law because
he could not keep the royal law. He told Jesus “… all these things have I kept from my youth
up” (Matthew 19:20). He was puffed up in pride as so many rich are, but the Word broke
through. It showed he was guilty of all instead of keeping all. The congregation at Jerusalem
was now guilty of the whole law because of their failure to keep partiality out of the church.

Jas 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou
commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no
adultery, yet if thou kill (murder: cf Matthew 19:18), thou art become (ginomai) a
transgressor of the law.

The one who commanded us not to commit adultery or kill is the Lord. We may watch over
the law outwardly and never commit adultery or physically kill someone. This royal law that
was being broken in Jerusalem was actually like murder. By despising the poor man who
came into the church and respecting the rich man above him, the people were committing
murder in God’s eyes; the very One Who gave the law (Matthew 5:20‐22). Mental murder
is the same as the outward act in God’s eyes.

C. The Appeal for Equality

Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be (are about to be) judged (krino: to judge) by
the law of liberty.

James tells the congregation to be speaking and acting like responsible believers knowing
the God of the law is observing them over their shoulders. We as believers are never alone,
and our every action is judged and weighed by the Lord. He has left his law in our heart,
and we are to observe it. The way to keep all of the laws of the Word is by observing the
royal law; “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and
mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

For he shall have judgment without mercy, (on the one) that hath shown no mercy, and
mercy rejoiceth (exults) against (over) judgment.