📖 James — Chapter 2 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
James 2:1 My brethren, have not Rthe faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a Rgold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say Rto the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
James 2:4 Are ye not then Rpartial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
James 2:5 RHearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
James 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, Rand draw you before the judgment seats?
James 2:7 Do not they Rblaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
James 2:8 If ye fulfil Rthe royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and Rare convinced of the law as transgressors.
James 2:10 For Rwhosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
James 2:11 For he that said, RDo 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.
James 2:12 So Rspeak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; Rand mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 2:14 RWhat doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:15 RIf a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 And Rone 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?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, RThou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:19 RThou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, RO vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:21 Was not RAbraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was Rfaith made perfect?
James 2:23 And Rthe scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:25 Likewise also was not RRahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
James 2:1–7 — Partiality contradicts faith
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Favoring a wealthy visitor and dishonoring the poor violates the church's professed faith and God's concern for those without status.
Key Truth: Welcome people without favoritism.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “My ____ , have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, …” (James 2:1)
Find it in James 2:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of ____ thoughts?” (James 2:4)
Find it in James 2:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Do not they ____ that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (James 2:7)
Find it in James 2:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
James 2:8–13 — The royal law and mercy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Love of neighbor exposes partiality as transgression, while judgment and the law of liberty call for merciful conduct.
Key Truth: Let mercy govern your treatment of others.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… so do, as they that shall be judged by the ____ of liberty.” (James 2:12)
Find it in James 2:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For he that ____ , Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. …” (James 2:11)
Find it in James 2:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For he shall have ____ without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth …” (James 2:13)
Find it in James 2:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
James 2:14–26 — Living faith acts
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
James challenges a claim of faith that leaves a needy person unaided, illustrating active faith through Abraham and Rahab.
Key Truth: Give living expression to faith through action.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he …” (James 2:14)
Find it in James 2:14 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But ____ thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is …” (James 2:20)
Find it in James 2:20 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For as the body without the ____ is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)
Find it in James 2:26 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Leviticus 19:18 — James cites the royal law of loving the neighbor.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where should your profession of faith become practical help?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes James 2:1–7 (Partiality contradicts faith) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes James 2:8–13 (The royal law and mercy) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes James 2:14–26 (Living faith acts) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What practice is inconsistent with holding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as instructed?
5. What condition does James describe when faith has no works?
Notes
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