Devine Scripture

James 2:7

What does James 2:7 mean?

A plain-English look at James 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 2:7 means

James adds that the same people the church is tempted to honor often blaspheme “the honorable name” invoked over believers. That name is the name of Jesus, into whom they have been identified. To exalt those who dishonor Christ is to forget whose name defines the community. Allegiance to the Lord should shape whom we admire and how we treat His people. When the world’s celebrated figures despise Christ, their fame must not sway the church to give them pride of place. The name that dignifies the poor believers is weightier than any earthly title.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Do they not say evil of the holy name which was given to you?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

do they not themselves speak evil of the good name that was called upon you?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do not they blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [do not] they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?

Context

This verse completes the threefold case against favoritism begun in verse 5: God’s choice of the poor, the rich’s oppression, and their blasphemy. With the problem laid bare, verses 8–11 move to the positive rule—the “royal law”—and show how partiality violates the unity of God’s law. Understanding the dishonor to Christ’s name here heightens the seriousness of the sin and prepares the reader to hear the call to love neighbor impartially.

v.6But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?

v.7This passage

v.8Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Matthew 27:63

    saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

  • Acts 26:11

    And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

  • Matthew 1:23

    Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.

  • Acts 11:26

    and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

  • Philippians 2:9

    Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

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