Commentary on James 2

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Master Y'shua the Messiah, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that wearing the fancy clothing, and say unto him, Sit here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, 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? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

If you have faith in Y'shua and became part of His body, you should not have a respect for one person and not another who is part of the assembly as well. The one you elevate and acknowledge but the other you despise based on their appearance, talents, money, etc.

James further emphasized the importance to love your neighbour because it is part of the Royal Low. The word “Royal” simply means “King” and that means it is a decree that comes from the King with His authority and that law cannot be changed by man.

The word neighbour is the Hebrew word “reyah” that means: friend and companion, lover, brother, husband, fellow citizen.

James taught that we should respect all men and women alike and not elevate some to a higher status, treating them different to common people.

Love is the Hebrew word “Ahab” that means affection or love.

Love or “Ahab" is first found in Scripture in 1 Kings 16:28-33. Ahab was one of Israel’s rulers who married Jezebel and under her influence introduced Baal worship to Israel. He committed more sin than his predecessors and revoked YHVH to anger more than those before him.

Jezebel is mentioned in Revelation 2:20 where YHVH speak to the seven Churches. The church of Thyatira was rebuked for the spirit of Jezebel among them who manifested as a teacher and prophet who taught the people of YHVH to fornicate by eating thing sacrificed to idols.

Looking at the context and backdrop of the story of Ahab and Jezebel teaching people to worship idols and James talking about loving your neighbour and not elevating some above others, brings to mind the idea that we can “love” certain people above others and that love is similar to Ahab introducing idolatry to the congregation.  Idolising, elevation and promoting some above others is teaching people to figuratively bowing to “idols” and stepping on others within the assembly. This false “love” is generated from the spirit of Jezebel who brings false teaching and elevation of man into the church.

Revelation also speaks about eating things sacrificed to idols and that means to partake in things that do not come from YHVH but from the other religions and traditions of men. Are there any traditions from man or from cultures or religions in your church that is not found and backed up in the Bible? If so, repent and do not take part of those things so that YHVH can find you blameless.

The best way to stay safe is to test everything according to the Word and if it is not found in the Word or Commanded by YHVH, then do not partake in it.

How do we extend love to our neighbour in these situations? You need to abstain from worshipping and idolising people and not partake in any man made or false religion based traditions, setting the right example and when people ask why, you have the right to speak into their lives. The choice is then up to them to decide what they are going to do, obey YHVH or Jezebel?

The key is not to judge or bad mouth people but to only shine your light and those who seek the truth will come to you and ask you about your light.