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Ordinary Time · Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

James 2:1-5

Do Not Show Partiality

September 5, 2027

The Seven Works of Mercy, Caravaggio
The Seven Works of Mercy, Caravaggio, 1607Pio Monte della Misericordia, Naples
Seven mercies crowded into one Naples street at night, with a man drinking from a jawbone, a prisoner fed through a grating by his own daughter, and a dead man carried out feet first.Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom? Mercy triumphs over judgement.CaravaggioCaravaggio, a fugitive in Naples, who painted the works of mercy as things happening at once in a real street.Pio Monte della Misericordia, NaplesThe Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples, a charity founded by seven young noblemen, which has never moved the painting.Pio Monte della Misericordia, Naples
Roman Lectionary
GospelMark 7:31-37Mk 7:31-37
Second ReadingJas. 2:1-5Jas 2:1-5
First ReadingIsa. 35:4-7aIs 35:4-7a
Responsorial PsalmPs. 146:7, 8-9a, 9b-10 (1b)Ps 146:7, 8-9a, 9b-10 (1b)

Overview & Insights

"Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith?" (James 2:5)

James warns believers not to hold the faith of Christ while favoring the rich over the poor, imagining a well-dressed visitor given the best seat while a poor one is pushed aside. He reminds them that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.

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Commentary

Commentary on James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17Commentary on Jas 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis of the warning against partiality and the choice of the poor to be rich in faith.

James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17 CommentaryJas 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed, sermon shaped commentary on refusing favoritism and keeping the royal law of neighbor love.

James 2: The Sin of PartialityJas 2: The Sin of Partiality Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the chapter.

James 2 CommentaryJas 2 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies and cross references verse by verse.

James 2:1 CommentariesJas 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on the passage in one place.

James 2, Expository NotesJas 2, Expository Notes StudyLight

Thomas Constable's expository notes on favoritism and the royal law of love.

Background & Word Study

Book of James OverviewBook of Jas Overview BibleProject

An animated overview of James and its call to a wise and active faith.

James 2:1 Greek InterlinearJas 2:1 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for the warning against showing partiality.

The Church Fathers

Catena on James 2Catena on Jas 2 Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on partiality and God's choice of the poor.

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