The law of liberty ( James 1:25) is the law of God that liberates us now. It is the same as the law of Christ ( Galatians 6:2) in contrast to the Mosaic Law. As free as we are under the law of Christ, we need to remember that God will judge us ( Romans 14:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We need to speak and act accordingly, namely, without prejudice toward others. [source][source][source]
"Since he is speaking to believers, the judgment to which he refers must be the judgment of believers at the judgment seat of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:10)." [1][source]
Context Summary
James 2:1-13 - Avoid Servility To The Rich
This sin of making distinctions in God's house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the divine Spirit departs. God's love is impartial, so far as outward appearances might affect it; and in His Church the only real differences must be those of humility, purity and righteousness.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," whether they be rich in this world's goods or not. But it is easier for a poor man to be rich in faith and an heir of the Kingdom, because he can give more of his attention to the things of the Spirit.
The law of love must be supreme with us; and we must love our fellows, whatever their position or property, as ourselves, for Christ's sake. If we fail in this, we show that we have never entered into the heart of the Christian faith. A man may observe all the laws of health; but if he inhale one whiff of poison he may die; so we may be outwardly obedient to the entire Decalogue, but delinquency in love will invalidate everything. [source]
Chapter Summary: James 2
1Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers; 13rather we are to be loving and merciful; 14and not to boast of faith without deeds; 17because faith without deeds is useless; 19as is the faith of the demons; 21however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions; 25as did Rahab
By a law of liberty [δια νομου ελευτεριας] The law pictured in James 1:25, but law, after all, not individual caprice of “personal liberty.” See Romans 2:12 for this same use of δια dia with κρινω krinō in the sense of accompaniment as in Romans 2:27; Romans 4:11; Romans 14:20. “Under the law of liberty.” [source]
So [] With reference to what follows, speak and do. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 2:12
James 1:25The perfect law [νομον τελειον] For τελειον teleion see James 1:17. See Romans 7:12 for Paul‘s idea of the law of God. James here refers to the word of truth (James 1:18), the gospel of grace (Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:2).The law of liberty (τον της ελευτεριας ton tēs eleutherias). “That of liberty,” explaining why it is “perfect” (James 2:12 also), rests on the work of Christ, whose truth sets us free (John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:2).And so continueth First aorist active articular participle again of παραμενω paramenō parallel with παρακυπσας parakupsas Παραμενω Paramenō is to stay beside, and see Philemon 1:25 for contrast with the simplex μενω menō Rather, “having become” (second aorist middle participle of γινομαι ginomai to become).Not a hearer that forgetteth (ουκ ακροατης επιλησμονης ouk akroatēs epilēsmonēs). “Not a hearer of forgetfulness” (descriptive genitive, marked by forgetfulness). Επιλησμονη Epilēsmonē is a late and rare word (from επιλησμων epilēsmōn forgetful, from επιλαντομαι epilanthomai to forget, as in James 1:24), here only in N.T.But a doer that worketh “But a doer of work,” a doer marked by work (descriptive genitive εργου ergou), not by mere listening or mere talk.In his doing (εν τηι ποιησει αυτου en tēi poiēsei autou). Another beatitude with μακαριος makarios as in James 1:12, like the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12. Ποιησις Poiēsis is an old word (from ποιεω poieō for the act of doing), only here in N.T. [source]
James 5:9That ye be not judged [ινα μη κριτητε] Negative purpose clause with ινα μη hina mē and the first aorist passive subjunctive of κρινω krinō As already indicated (James 2:12.; James 4:12) and repeated in James 5:12. Reminiscence of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1.Standeth before the doors (προ των τυρων εστηκεν pro tōn thurōn hestēken). Perfect active indicative of ιστημι histēmi “is standing now.” Again like the language of Jesus in Matthew 24:33 (επι τυραις epi thurais) and Mark 13:29. Jesus the Judge is pictured as ready to enter for the judgment. [source]
What do the individual words in James 2:12 mean?
Sospeakandactasby[the] lawof freedombeing aboutto be judged
Greek Commentary for James 2:12
Present active imperatives as a habit. For the combination see James 1:19-21 contrasted with James 1:22-25, and James 1:26 with James 1:27. [source]
The law pictured in James 1:25, but law, after all, not individual caprice of “personal liberty.” See Romans 2:12 for this same use of δια dia with κρινω krinō in the sense of accompaniment as in Romans 2:27; Romans 4:11; Romans 14:20. “Under the law of liberty.” [source]
With reference to what follows, speak and do. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 2:12
For τελειον teleion see James 1:17. See Romans 7:12 for Paul‘s idea of the law of God. James here refers to the word of truth (James 1:18), the gospel of grace (Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:2).The law of liberty (τον της ελευτεριας ton tēs eleutherias). “That of liberty,” explaining why it is “perfect” (James 2:12 also), rests on the work of Christ, whose truth sets us free (John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:2).And so continueth First aorist active articular participle again of παραμενω paramenō parallel with παρακυπσας parakupsas Παραμενω Paramenō is to stay beside, and see Philemon 1:25 for contrast with the simplex μενω menō Rather, “having become” (second aorist middle participle of γινομαι ginomai to become).Not a hearer that forgetteth (ουκ ακροατης επιλησμονης ouk akroatēs epilēsmonēs). “Not a hearer of forgetfulness” (descriptive genitive, marked by forgetfulness). Επιλησμονη Epilēsmonē is a late and rare word (from επιλησμων epilēsmōn forgetful, from επιλαντομαι epilanthomai to forget, as in James 1:24), here only in N.T.But a doer that worketh “But a doer of work,” a doer marked by work (descriptive genitive εργου ergou), not by mere listening or mere talk.In his doing (εν τηι ποιησει αυτου en tēi poiēsei autou). Another beatitude with μακαριος makarios as in James 1:12, like the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12. Ποιησις Poiēsis is an old word (from ποιεω poieō for the act of doing), only here in N.T. [source]
“That of liberty,” explaining why it is “perfect” (James 2:12 also), rests on the work of Christ, whose truth sets us free (John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:2). [source]
Negative purpose clause with ινα μη hina mē and the first aorist passive subjunctive of κρινω krinō As already indicated (James 2:12.; James 4:12) and repeated in James 5:12. Reminiscence of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1.Standeth before the doors (προ των τυρων εστηκεν pro tōn thurōn hestēken). Perfect active indicative of ιστημι histēmi “is standing now.” Again like the language of Jesus in Matthew 24:33 (επι τυραις epi thurais) and Mark 13:29. Jesus the Judge is pictured as ready to enter for the judgment. [source]