Devine Scripture

James 2:9

What does James 2:9 mean?

A plain-English look at James 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 2:9 means

If believers show partiality, they do not merely make a mistake; they commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James closes the door to excuses that treat favoritism as harmless or even prudent. God’s law is not a buffet where we choose commands that suit us. Partiality contradicts the love of neighbor because it withholds from some what we freely give to others. By calling it sin and invoking the law’s verdict, James returns the discussion to God’s courtroom, where motives and actions are weighed, and where selective obedience will not stand.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if you take a man's position into account, you do evil, and are judged as evil-doers by the law.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if ye accept persons, sin ye do work, being convicted by the law as transgressors;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

Context

This verse follows the commendation of loving one’s neighbor in verse 8 and presses the point that partiality is a legal, not merely social, offense. Verses 10–11 will deepen the warning by explaining how breaking one point renders one guilty of all, since the same Lawgiver stands behind each command. This frames the call in verses 12–13 to live and speak as those to be judged by the “law of liberty,” with mercy as a central criterion.

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

v.9This passage

v.10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 2:19

    For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God.

  • John 8:46

    Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?

  • Romans 7:7

    What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:

  • Leviticus 19:15

    Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.

  • John 16:8

    And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

  • Romans 3:20

    because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.

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