Biblical Text Analysis, Essay Example

The author, in the passage James 2:1-8 was trying to lie down the rules of the newly founded church for the followers of Jesus. He is trying to explain what Jesus meant when he said: “Love one another” (John 13:34-35).  When Paul went around the world to teach Christians, he wanted to tell them that Jesus is not only the Savior of the Jews. He died for everyone. Just like Jesus did not show favoritism, his followers should not, either.

The words of letter are still valid today. When Christians think that they are the only recipients of God’s grace, they look down on people from other cultures, Paul warns them to love them the same. When churches compete with each other, instead of working together to make God’s truth more visible, God reminds them not to show favoritism. According to a “The Scrolls” article (2011), in the passage, Paul does not only talk about favoritism, but the universal law of equality. Being a Western ethical norm, equal treatment is the right of all of God’s creations. The article talks about the meaning of the passage, in relation with discrimination. While Paul warns against discrimination based on wealth, this can easily be translated to social status, origin, skin color, beliefs.

Today, Christians should focus on other aspects of discrimination. When a homeless man walks in the church, he is welcomed most of the time. God’s people listened to Jesus’ words, and they understand what he meant at Matthew 10:42: “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward”.  However, in order to give the passage a new meaning, the congregation should be reminded to treat people from every walk of life equally. If a known sinner walked into the church, what would the reaction be? Would they be welcome in the first row, or would they be forced to sit at the back? Would people frown upon those who are late for mass? Or those who are unable to provide food for the monthly collection?

Utley (1996) brings up a special contemporary topic in relation with the passage: racism. Favoritism, according to the author, can result in prejudice and discrimination, which is often used by those who have racist principles. The preacher can, therefore, talk about the different passages that confirm God’s love being equal to all of his creatures.

The sermon notes of Danny Hodges (1997) mention that a good approach towards making Christians understand the passage would be to start with confirming that “God does not treat us differently based on how rich or poor I am materially/financially, how good looking I am, how popular I am, what I look like, what the color of my skin is, what country I live in or come from, or what my IQ is” (p. 3).

Overall, the transferable significance of the passage to today’s Christians is to work on treating everyone the same. All people should be welcomed by the Church the same way. One of the greatest sins some Christians commit is to be proud and look down on people. Sometimes, we look at a new person who comes to church with reservation: they are not one of us. We have surely worked hard on arranging flowers, reading the scripts for the past few years; why should they have the same treatment as us? At these times, it is important that believers remember the new commandment of Jesus  (John 13:34-35) and James’ words. Anyone showing favoritism goes against God’s law.

References

Hodges, D. (1997) “The Evil of Favoritism & the Godliness of Impartiality” (James 2:1-13) Retrieved from http://calvarystp.org/sermons/notes/NT3557-sermon-notes.pdf

“The Holy Bible” New International Translation. James 2:1-8 New International Version (NIV) Ibid,  John 13:34-35

The Scrolls (2011) Beyond belief: “beyond tolerance” James 2:1-13. Pantego Bible Church.  Retrieved from    http://www.pantego.org/Portals/0/docs/scrolls/2011/ScrollsV13N26web.pdf

Utley, B. (1996) Free Bible commentary. Volume 11.  Retrieved from http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/pdf/VOL11.pdf