Many people today believe in some sort of legalism, which means they feel good about their spiritual condition because of things they do or things they leave undone. All societies tend to do this, condemning some sins as worse, or at least as less acceptable than others. But the way we rank different behaviors actually tells us a lot more about ourselves than it does about God’s desires for us.

James holds up two particular sins by way of contrast – murder and adultery. Now, in the abstract, we would all agree that each of these things is wrong. But in practice, doesn’t our society consider one to be worse than another? For example, many of us would probably be comfortable letting our children watch a crime drama which depicts murder. But how many would be just as comfortable letting those same children watch a scene graphically depicting sexual infidelity?

Of course, as Jesus explained the Law in His Sermon on the Mount, we are all constantly guilty of both sins. For in Matthew 5:21-32, Jesus explains that the root of murder and adultery lies not in our actions, but in our hearts. In other words, both adultery and murder are merely physical symptoms of the heart issues of anger and lust. And these heart issues are in turn emotional symptoms of an even deeper spiritual problem – failure to love our neighbors as ourselves. That’s why legalism, feeling good about our outward actions, is so ridiculous. Just lessening the symptoms doesn’t cure the disease.

But why then does James condemn partiality in verse 9? After all, being partial to one person or group is another way of saying that we love those people more than others, right? What’s wrong with loving too much?

We can only understand this if we appreciate just how radical the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves really is. For if we love everyone just as much and in the same way that we love ourselves, how could we possibly prefer anyone to anyone else? After all, Jesus said that the commandment to love others should even include our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).

So, the main problem with partiality is that it is based, in one way or another, on selfishness. Why do we curry favor with wealthy or powerful people? Because we want them to do something for us, right? Why do we prefer our friends and family? Isn’t it because we feel safe with them, or because we expect them to help us and protect us? At its root, partiality is the most selfish form of love, treating others well because we want to get something out of the deal.

How great is the contrast of the cross, the truest example of love! For there, Jesus gave up everything He was and everything He had – and not for those who loved Him and stuck by Him, but for a world full of sinners who crucified Him, and for His disciples who had abandoned Him. It is that sort of self-sacrificial, unconditional love for our neighbors that the Law commands. And it is only through union with Christ that such love becomes possible for us.

James 2:8-13 ESV

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.