Favoritism God’s people are not to show partiality or _____, judging or giving someone preferential treatment because of outward appearances, nationality, economic class, etc. (Jas 2:1, 9; cf. Lev 19:15).
Law We should speak and act in light of the fact that we are going to be judged based on the ___ that brings about freedom (Jas 2:12; cf. Mt 12:36-37; 2 Cor 5:10). This ___ is the “perfect”, (Jas 1:25) “royal” ___ comprised of the commands of Christ the King, who has the authority to reinterpret the Old Testament ___, and sets us free from sin.
Mercy On the Day of Judgment, one who does not show ____ to others on earth, will not be shown ___ by God for eternity (Jas 2:13; cf. Mt 5:7, 18:21-35). We must show ___ (cf. Mic 6:8; Zec 7:9-10), for ___ triumphs over judgment).
Tooth James closes this section by emphasizing the “eye for eye and ___ for ____” law of the ___ (lex talionis), the foundational, biblical principle of reciprocity (Jas 2:13; cf. Ex 21:23-25; Mt 5:7, 6:12, 14-15, 7:2). Whereas “life for life” was to be taken literally (Gen 9:6; Ex 21:12-14; Lev 24:19-20; Dt 19:21, etc.), “eye for eye” was apparently not (Ex 21:26-27).
Revenge The law of reciprocity was for legal judgments, not for avenging one’s honor or seeking personal ____ (cf. Lev 19:18; Ex 23:4–5; Job 31:29–30; Pr 24:17–18, 29, 25:21–22; Mt 5:38-40). ____ or vengeance belongs to the Lord (Rom 12:17-20; cf. Ps 139:19; 1 Sam 25:32-34, 26:10-11) – the Ultimate Judge.
Repay On the Day of Judgment, The Lord will ___ people for the things they have done (Rom 12:20; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:14; Heb 10:30; Rev 2:23). There will be just reciprocity.
Bibliography
Arndt, William, Frederick W. Danker, Walter Bauer, and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000. [BDAG]
Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–. [EDNT]
Davids, Peter H. “James.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 4th ed., 1354–68. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994. [NBC]
Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009. [Keener SR]
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Second Edition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Keener, Craig S. Matthew. Vol. 1. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. [Keener IVP]
Loh, I-Jin, and Howard Hatton. A Handbook on the Letter from James. UBS Handbook Series. New York: United Bible Societies, 1997. [UBS]
Lockett, Darian R., and Craig A. Evans. “James.” In John’s Gospel, Hebrews–Revelation, edited by Craig A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition., 257–87. The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary. Colorado Springs, CO; Paris, ON; Eastbourne: David C Cook, 2005. [BKBC]
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996. [LN]
Kruse, Colin G. “2 Corinthians.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 4th ed., 1188–1205. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
Kruse, Colin G. 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 8. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987. [Kruse, TNTC]
Moo, Douglas J. “James”. In The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Edited by Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012. [BIBC]
Moo, Douglas J. “James”. In Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation. Vol. 4. Edited by Clinton E. Arnold. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. [ZIBBC]
Silva, MoisÈs, ed. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Vol. 1–5. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014. [NIDNTTE]
