James 2:9

Modern

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Traditional

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Literal

But if you show partiality, you are working sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

Latin

…si autem personas accipitis, peccatum operamini, redarguti a lege quasi transgressores.

Greek

English

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Favoritism opposes the command to love your neighbor (2:8).

James uses the Bible to argue against the common practice of favoring wealthy and powerful people.

Theme notes and profiles

Leviticus 19:15
You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
James 2:1–4
My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
John 8:9
When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.
Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.
John 16:8
And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
John 8:46
Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?
1 John 3:4
Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.
Galatians 2:19
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.
1 Corinthians 14:24
But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
Romans 7:7–13
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
Jude 1:15
…to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”