My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory" isn't just a descriptor of what they believe; it emphasizes the source and nature of their faith. It means their belief isn't just about Jesus, but about who He is – the glorious Lord – and that this exalted reality should inherently shape how they live and treat others.
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
James is addressing a community that professes faith in Jesus Christ but is acting inconsistently, particularly in their gatherings. He's just finished talking about the importance of living out what you hear, and now he's calling out a specific sin: showing favoritism based on wealth or social status. This verse launches into a direct rebuke against treating people differently, urging them to hold their faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing partiality.
What does it really mean to 'hold the faith'?
James uses the Greek word 'echete' (hold/possess) to describe our relationship with faith. It's not just about intellectual agreement or knowing the right doctrines. It's about actively living and practicing the faith in our daily lives. Think of it like owning a home – you don't just know it exists; you live in it, maintain it, and let it shape your routine. Similarly, the faith of Jesus Christ should be the foundation of how we interact with everyone.
Why does Jesus being 'the Lord of glory' matter when we treat people?
James connects our faith directly to Jesus Christ, calling Him 'the Lord of glory.' This isn't just a title; it's a profound truth about His divine nature and ultimate authority. He is the radiant, glorious One. When we genuinely hold His faith, our actions must reflect His character. Showing favoritism based on wealth or status is a direct contradiction to the majesty and impartiality of the glorious Lord we claim to follow. His glory far surpasses any worldly status.
What does 'respect of persons' truly mean?
The Greek phrase 'en prosopolēmpsiais' (in respect of persons) literally means 'in receptions of faces.' It describes the act of favoring someone based on their outward appearance, like their clothing or perceived status, rather than their inner character. This isn't about basic civility or showing honor where it's due; it's about letting external factors dictate how we value and treat people, especially within the community of faith. This kind of 'face-reading' is a sin because it denies the equal standing of believers in Christ.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
adelphoi · Greek Noun
A term of endearment used by New Testament writers to emphasize the spiritual equality and unity of believers as members of the same divine family.
prosōpolēmpsia · Greek Noun
Literally "lifting of the face," referring to the sin of favoring one person over another based on external factors like wealth, status, or ethnicity rather than judging according to truth and character.
pistis · Greek Noun
The body of truth revealed by God and the corresponding personal trust/reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation. It represents the objective standard of the Gospel and the subjective commitment of the believer.
doxa · Greek Noun
A title reflecting the divine majesty and splendor of Christ; it asserts that Jesus possesses the essential nature and glory of God the Father.
This letter was written during the early decades of Christianity when Jewish and Gentile believers were still navigating their new shared faith, often within the context of existing Jewish social structures and synagogues. James's admonition against 'respect of persons' directly addresses the danger of importing worldly hierarchies into the community of faith, a challenge rooted in the social realities of the Roman Empire and the ongoing integration of diverse peoples into the early Church.
c. 40s AD— this verse
James writes his epistle
James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, writes his letter, likely to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. The early church often met in homes or synagogues.
c. 40s-50s AD
Roman Empire expands
The Roman Empire is at its peak, with extensive trade routes and a hierarchical social structure emphasizing wealth and status. This social pressure would have influenced early Christian communities.
c. 50 AD
Council of Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Council addresses the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith, with James playing a key role. This event highlights the ongoing integration of diverse people within the early Church.
c. 62 AD
Martyrdom of James
James is martyred in Jerusalem, likely due to his prominent leadership and adherence to Jewish law within a Christian context. His death marks the end of an era for the early Jerusalem church.
This Old Testament passage lays down the foundational principle against showing partiality, directly informing James's instruction not to 'respect persons' in faith.
Acts 10:34Peter's realization that God shows no favoritism, particularly after encountering Cornelius, parallels James's message that genuine faith in Christ transcends social status.
Romans 2:11Paul echoes James's sentiment, stating plainly that God shows no partiality, reinforcing the idea that fairness is a core attribute of God's justice and should be reflected in believers.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27This passage describes the church as one body with many parts, emphasizing that each member is essential and valued, which is in direct contrast to showing partiality based on outward appearance.
Philippians 2:3-4Paul urges believers to consider others better than themselves and to look out for the interests of others, a mindset that naturally combats favoritism and promotes humility, aligning with James's exhortation.
vincentJames 2:1: "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."
Have (ἔχετε)Rev., hold, not in the sense of hold fast, cleave to, but of possessing, occupying, and practising, as a matter of habit. Thus we say that a man holds his property by a certain tenure. A rented estate is a holding. So of an opinion, or set of opinions, with which one is publicly identified. We say that he holds thus and so.With respect of persons (ἐν προσωπολημψίαις…
clarkeJames 2:1: "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."
My brethren, have not - This verse should be read interrogatively: My brethren, do ye not make profession of the faith or religion of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with acceptance of persons? That is, preferring the rich to the poor merely because of their riches, and not on account of any moral excellence, personal piety, or public usefulness. Πιστις, faith, is put here for relig…
The phrase "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory" isn't just a descriptor of what they believe; it emphasizes the source and nature of their faith. It means their belief isn't just about Jesus, but about who He is – the glorious Lord – and that this exalted reality should inherently shape how they live and treat others.
James is addressing a community that professes faith in Jesus Christ but is acting inconsistently, particularly in their gatherings. He's just finished talking about the importance of living out what you hear, and now he's calling out a specific sin: showing favoritism based on wealth or social status. This verse launches into a direct rebuke against treating people differently, urging them to hold their faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing partiality.
James is addressing a community that professes faith in Jesus Christ but is acting inconsistently, particularly in their gatherings. He's just finished talking about the importance of living out what you hear, and now he's calling out a specific sin: showing favoritism based on wealth or social status. This verse launches into a direct rebuke against treating people differently, urging them to hold their faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing partiality.
"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." — The phrase "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory" isn't just a descriptor of what they believe; it emphasizes the source and nature of their faith. It means their belief isn't ju…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026