Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?
- BSB Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?
- NKJV Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
- NASB Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?
- NLT Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
It is the rich oppressors who blaspheme the honorable name by which believers are called. Favoring them ignores their hostility to Christ Himself.
Overview
James adds that these powerful oppressors slander the noble name—the name of Christ—invoked over believers at their conversion. To honor such people while shaming the poor is doubly misguided. The point sharpens the argument: partiality aligns the church with those who dishonor the very Lord they confess.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Rev 13:5–6And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
- Phil 2:9–11Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
- Eph 3:15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
- 1 Tim 1:13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Ps 111:9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
- Acts 11:26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
- Rev 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
- Isa 65:15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
- Luke 22:64–65And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
- Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
- Isa 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Matt 1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
- Matt 12:24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
- Ps 73:7–9Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
- Isa 9:6–7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Jer 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Acts 26:11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
- Song 1:3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
- Rev 19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
- Matt 27:63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
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Christ at the center
The wisdom from above and the royal law of love are the life of those who belong to 'our glorious Lord Jesus Christ' — faith in him made visible in works.
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Original language
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