The scene is set in the assembly of believers where the faith should be demonstrably experienced. In every gathering the kind of clothes worn will indicate wealth or its lack. Even in a church I visited where it was the general way to attend in casual clothes - the well-off had expensive casuals and those not so well endowed wore ready available, cheap casuals. There is no condemnation of any kind of dress or adornment here. What is wrong is giving special difference and respect according to the value of the clothing. We have to let our faith in Jesus release us from preferential treatment so that His love flows through us to all.

Does your behaviour and conduct pass the test of God's Word?

	Because it is an action of discrimination, making a difference between members of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 11:29 ).
	Because discrimination is evil judgment in action.

James 2:4 "have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?"

To judge with prejudice or with the purpose of selfish gain, or advancement, is evil and against God and His Word.

Leviticus 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor."

Social standing, nor the lack of it, should not decide whether a person gets fair treatment , or acceptance. To practice the evil of discrimination is to bring dishonour on God's name, and leads people to ignore God's holiness and justice. (Deuteronomy 32:4 ). God expects the highest standards in our relationships. These standards are only possible through a living union with Christ (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13 ). It is He who strengthens us in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ).

James 2:5 "... my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, ..."

The rich person is not more valuable because of being rich - neither is the poor person of less value because he is poor. Each are equally precious. James reasons that to discriminate against the poor is foolishness. Often it is the poor in this world who are the richest in faith (James 2:5 ). They are rich in gifts of the Holy Spirit, eagerly desiring and becoming channels of even the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31 ). Also because of great need they become great in prayer, asking, knocking, receiving, opening doors (Matthew 7:7- 8; Luke 6:21; 18:1-8 ), obtaining both natural and spiritual prosperity (Psalm 1:3; 3 John 2; Philippians 4:19 ). How foolish to disdain those who are,

James 2:5 "... and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"

Those who are "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3 KJV), truly blessed, are those whose natural dependence on God for their needs, has brought them to a spirit of dependence on God, among whom are also those who would not be described as poor or needy. It was Jesus who taught that it was the poor who became ready recipients of the kingdom (Luke 6:20 ). We should treat with care those who are children of God's kingdom. They are inheritors of God's promise, marked out to be so by their love for God. Each one is special to God, and they should therefore be special to each other.

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It is God dishonouring

James 2:6 "... have despised the poor ..."

In acting according to the illustration given in verses two and three, the poor person is deliberately dishonoured, and good will and purposes toward the poor are ignored. God's view of such despising is that it in sin (Proverbs 14:21 ). But kindness to the needy the Lord regards as to Himself and guarantees to pay back what is given (Proverbs 19:17 ). Paul leaves the Corinthian church in no doubt that he could not praise those who shame those who have nothing (1 Corinthians 11:22 ).

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It is honouring oppressors

James 2:6 "... Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?"

"Note the shift of number that happens in this verse. They dishonor the poor person (singular). This person is one of their own group, an individual. But the rich are a class (plural) a group outside the church. At this point the author shifts to the word "rich" (plousios , cf. 2:2), for he is not referring to a wealthy individual in the church, but to an oppressing class that the church as a group is imitating". Peter H. Davids - New International Biblical Commentary - "James"

Far from currying the favour of oppressors of the church, they should be declaring their confidence in the Lord and praying for divine deliverance (Psalm 31:14-15; 119:86 ). As one body they should be rallying to the aid of the one dragged to the courts (Acts 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:26 ). Being dragged to the courts is not normal arrest with proper representation - what is implied is injustice or persecution (Acts 16:19; 21:30 ). Believers are not to behave like these persecutors of the church, nor be intimidated by them so as to foolishly give them preferential treatment.

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It is favouring blasphemers

James 2:7 "Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?"

The Greek word for "blasphemed" means to vilify, to defame, to speak evil; the NIV translates the word here to be "slandering." The charge may be summarised as the rich were actually reviling the name of Jesus, or by distasteful jesting raising defaming laughter about Jesus and so insulting His followers who bore His name. It may be that this was done to the one dragged to the court. But as then, so today, this form of insult takes place in public places, workplaces and places of pleasure. Today the media can be involved in degrading the name of Jesus and those who are His true followers.

When suffering as a Christian it should be taken as an opportunity to glorify God in the name of Jesus (1 Peter 4:16 ). When those in the church dishonour the poor upon whom God has bestowed honour, they are joining with the oppressors by acting like those who slander the name of Christ.

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It is failing the royal law

James 2:8 "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well;"

No one can say they are living their life by the Word of God if they are practicing partiality toward their neighbour. "Love your neighbour as yourself" is called by the Lord the second great commandment, the first being to "love the Lord your God" (Mark 12:30-31 NKJV). Jesus placed together Deuteronomy 6:5 with Leviticus 19:18 because the two are inseparable. If you love God, that love will naturally overflow in love to your neighbour. The fulfilment of this great command in our lives is evidence of our new life in Christ (1 John 3:10,14-15 ). By this great commandment we can test the development of the Christ life in us, and our obedience to His Word. This commandment is called by James, the royal law (James 2:8 ). This is a very appropriate description.

	Royal means originating from - as connected with a king or a line of kings. So this great commandment originated in the heart and mind of God, and expresses will and intentions for His newborn children.
	Royal means that a person belongs to a royal family. So this law is a mark of family likeness (John 13:35 ).
	Royal can refer to insignia or emblem of office. So it is by this law operating in His people that the kingdom of God is experienced through touching the lives of the needy. It is the King's standard of love that is ministered (John 15:12 ).
	Royal means belonging to, occupied or used by the King. This royal law in His peoples' lives proclaims to all that they are His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9 ) - servants, serving with His compassion, provision and power (1 Peter 4:11; Mark 16:20 ).
	Royal speaks of supremacy. This is the supreme law to which all other laws that govern human relationships are subordinate. It is the summation of all such laws (Matthew 22:40 ).

Paul said,

Galatians 5:14 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

James assures that in fulfilling the royal law "you do well" (James 2:8 ). He could have said, supported by the teaching of Jesus, that it is evident that it is well with your soul (Matthew 7:3-20 ).

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It is an action of sin

James 2:9 "but if you show partiality, you commit sin, ..."

This is supported by the solid ground of Scripture. It is not a social indiscretion - it is sin.

Proverbs 14:21 "He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he."

Showing contempt or disregarding as worthless one who is in need, in condemned by the Word as "sin."

James 2:9 "... and are convicted by the law as transgressors."

Doing the royal law is to do well - despising the needy is to do evil. It is not cultural, or recognition of the different levels of society, it is a matter of guilt as a transgressor of God's law. It is only when partiality is confronted in this uncompromising way that conviction comes and tears down the foolish excuses that prevent repentance.

Faith then, is tested by love for the whoever, our impartiality proving our faith to be genuine.