The Sin of Partiality

Sin of Partiality

James 2:1-13

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 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? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

In His autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered becoming a Christian. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus, he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby Church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. However, when he entered the sanctuary, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the Church and never returned. He wrote, “If Christians have caste differences also, I might as well remain a Hindu.” This is what James is addressing – partiality in the body of Christ.

Racial prejudice has always been a problem in this country and still is a problem. Charles Drew was a brilliant medical doctor discovered the use of blood plasma that resulted in saving thousands of lives in World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam War. At Pearl Harbor, for example, 96% of those who received plasma, survived. After World War II Charles Drew was named director of the National Blood Bank Program, and devoted himself to teaching doctors at Howard University Medical School.

On April 1, 1950, while driving some young doctors to a conference, he was involved in an automobile accident in Burlington, N.C. He was rushed to a hospital where his life could have been saved by plasma. But Dr. Drew was denied admission to the hospital because his skin was black. He died on the way to another hospital 26 miles away.

There is no other way to say it – prejudice is sin, and there are several reasons why.

First, it is sin because of who we are. We are “brethren” (vs. 1). We are brothers and sisters in Christ. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see white, black, or yellow. He is color-blind. He just sees us as His children. James makes it clear that being a child of God and being prejudiced is totally incompatible. Regardless of our race, skin color, occupation, or background, we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Second, it is a sin because of who we are to be like. “Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” We are to be like Jesus, our Lord. He did not show favoritism. Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” 

If God would have been a respecter of persons, you and I may have been left out of the opportunity to get saved. Thank God He isn’t willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) 


We can’t be like Jesus and be prejudiced! When we treat some people better than others just because of their social status, skin color, or any other factor, we are failing to be like Jesus.

Thirdly, it is a sin because of what it makes us. When we show favoritism, we are setting ourselves up as a judge. We are putting ourselves in the place of God. James 4:12 says, “Who art thou that judgest another?” When we set ourselves up as a judge, we need to remember that one day God is going to judge us. Do you want Him to be merciful with you? Then, you better be merciful with others. (vs. 13) What business do we have judging other people to see whether they are worthy of our attention and love?

Whenever the Bible speaks of God judging, it always says He judges by looking at our heart, not the outward appearance. Since we can’t see people’s hearts, we need to stop judging people and start loving them based upon their value as a person in the eyes of God.

Fourthly, it is a sin because of what it is compared to. James said if you show partiality you are breaking the royal law. What is the royal law? It is what Jesus said in Matthew 22:35-40. Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law.

The first four of the Ten Commandments deal with loving the Lord with all our hearts - worshiping Him only, guarding His name, and being faithful to His House. The last six deal with loving our neighbor as ourselves. If we love someone we will not commit adultery with their spouse, we will not steal from them, lie about them, kill them, or covet what they have.

James reminds us if we break one of those commandments, we are guilty of all. So, don’t think you are better than an adulterer or murderer, just because you struggle with prejudice. They are all three sin, because they all three are the result of not loving our neighbor as ourselves.


In Revelation 7:9, 10, John sees a vision of multitudes of people from every nation on earth gathered around the throne of God praising and worshiping Almighty God together.  Heaven will be full of all ethnic groups and social classes.  We will all be one there, and we should acknowledge that oneness here on earth.  


Don't treat people on the basis of what they can do for you.  Treat them the way Jesus would.  Treat them the way you want to be treated.