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Pentecost Season · Proper 18 · Year B

James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17

Warning Against Favoritism; Faith Without Works

September 5, 2027

The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus (Codex Aureus of Echternach, f. 78r), Unknown illuminator, Echternach
The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus (Codex Aureus of Echternach, f. 78r), Unknown illuminator, Echternach, c. 1035-1040Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
Three bands down one page: the rich man at a laid table while the beggar is handed away at the door, then the beggar carried up by angels, then the rich man in the fire asking for water.If a person with gold rings and fine clothes comes in, and you say, Have a seat here, while to the poor one you say, Stand there, have you not made distinctions among yourselves? Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith?Unknown illuminator, EchternachAn Echternach painter working in gold for the emperor, who laid the parable out as three rooms you read downward.Germanisches Nationalmuseum, NurembergThe Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg.Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMark 7:24-37Mk 7:24-37
EpistleJas. 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17Jas 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Old TestamentProv. 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23Prv 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23Alt. OTIsa. 35:4-7aIs 35:4-7a
PsalterPs. 125Ps 125Alt. PsalmPs. 146Ps 146

Overview & Insights

"So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." (James 2:17)

James condemns showing partiality to the rich over the poor as a breach of the royal law to love your neighbor, then insists that genuine faith proves itself in action and that faith without works is dead.

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Take it further: James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17

Commentary

Commentary on James 2:1-17 (Year B)Commentary on Jas 2:1-17 (Year B) Working Preacher

Luther Seminary's Year B commentary on partiality and living faith.

Enduring Word: James 2Enduring Word: Jas 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse study of favoritism and faith with works.

Precept Austin: James 2 CommentaryPrecept Austin: Jas 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed exposition with word studies on James 2.

BibleHub Commentaries: James 2:1BibleHub Commentaries: Jas 2:1 BibleHub

Classic commentaries collected on James 2.

Coffman Commentary: James 2Coffman Commentary: Jas 2 StudyLight

James Burton Coffman's commentary on James 2.

Background & Word Study

Greek Interlinear: James 2:1Greek Interlinear: Jas 2:1 BibleHub

Greek interlinear with parsing for James 2.

BibleProject: Book of James OverviewBibleProject: Book of Jas Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the book of James.

The Church Fathers

Catena: James 2Catena: Jas 2 Catena

Church fathers on faith, works, and partiality in James 2.

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