James Chapter 2 — Commentary on Verse 7

    Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

    James proceeds to list the abuses of riches. Who are the enemies of God and of religion, the scorners of the worthy name of Christians, but the rich?

    Aretheynottheoneswhoareslandering…? Some apply this to ungodly rich people who profess religion, as if their practices had brought shame on Christianity itself. They quote Romans 2:24, 2 Peter 2:2, 1 Timothy 6:1, and Titus 2:5 to support this view. Certainly religion is never dishonored more than by the lives of ungodly “religious” people. But it is a great mistake to apply what is said here to rich Christians. The apostle is only observing how rich people lived; they were usually bitter enemies of Christianity. So wealth was not a good criterion in the church when appointing people to leading positions.

    The noble name. The Greek word translated noble means “honorable.”

    Towhomyoubelong. In the original Greek this reads “who called you,” and some people interpret it, “whom you call on.” This describes Christians: “all … who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2); “everyone who confesses the name of the Lord” (2 Timothy 2:19).

    Notes on Verse 7

    Note1. Wicked rich men, above all others, are most prone to blasphemy. “Because of your wealth your heart has grown proud,” says Ezekiel 28:5. Riches breed pride, and pride ends in atheism. When men’s hearts are inflamed with wine, they heap their malice on Christ’s servants. The merry and well-fed Babylonians insisted on having a Hebrew song (Psalm 137). For many, no feast is complete unless John the Baptist’s head is brought on a plate. Religion, or religious people, must be served to feed their mirth.

    Note2. Those who love Christ will hate blasphemers. Moses burned with a holy zeal when he heard that one had blasphemed God (see Leviticus 24:13-14). And David says, “They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? … I count them my enemies” (Psalm 139:20-22). Love is sensitive to the least wrong done to the one loved. It burns with a fiery zeal when such contempt as blasphemy is cast on Christ.

    Note3. Christ’s name is a worthy name. Christianity will never be a disgrace for you, although you may be a disgrace to Christianity. “I am not ashamed,” says the apostle Paul, “of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). Many are ashamed to be known as Christ’s in ungodly company, as if there could be any disgrace in being Christ’s servant. Oh, this is an honor for you! As Christianity is an honor for you, so you should honor it, that you may not stain a worthy name: “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10).

    Note4. The people of Christ are named and called for Christ’s name; “Christian” comes from “Christ.” The apostle says, “From whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:15). The name was given to them first of all at Antioch (Acts 11:26). They were called “disciples” before, but to distinguish them from false brethren, they gave them the name “Christians.” They were called “Nazarites” and “Galileans” by their enemies; and about this time there was a sect of that name, composed half of Jews and half of Christians. This name, Christians, calls us to holiness. Remember what Christ did; you are called after his name: “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (2 Timothy 2:19). Alexander the Great said to one of his captains, also called Alexander, “see you do nothing unworthy of the name of Alexander.” So, see you do nothing unworthy of the name of Christ.