| Return to Index | Henry's Commentary |
| 1 | My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. |
| 2 | For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; |
| 3 | And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: |
| 4 | Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? |
| 5 |
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the 1poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? |
| 6 | But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? |
| 7 | Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? |
| 8 |
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, 1Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: |
| 9 | But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. |
| 10 |
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Deut 27:26 Gal 3:10 |
| 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. Exod 20:14,13 |
| 12 | So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. |
| 13 |
For he shall have 1judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. |
| 14 | What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? |
| 15 |
If a brother or sister be 1naked, and destitute of daily food, |
| 16 | And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? |
| 17 | Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. |
| 18 | Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. |
| 19 | Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. |
| 20 | But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? |
| 21 |
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had 1offered Isaac his son upon the altar? |
| 22 | Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? |
| 23 |
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Gen 15:6 Rom 4:3 Gal 3:6 Isa 41:8 |
| 24 | Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. |
| 25 | Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? |
| 26 | For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. |
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