Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?
- KJV Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye 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?
- 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 13:5–6A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
- Phil 2:9–11Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
- Eph 3:15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
- 1 Tim 1:13although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Ps 111:9He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!
- Acts 11:26When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
- Rev 19:16He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
- Isa 65:15You will leave your name for a curse to my chosen; and the Lord Yahweh will kill you. He will call his servants by another name,
- Luke 22:64–65Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?”
- Acts 4:12There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
- Isa 7:14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Matt 1:23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel”; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”
- Matt 12:24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”
- Ps 73:7–9Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
- Isa 9:6–7For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Jer 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. This is his name by which he shall be called: Yahweh our righteousness.
- Acts 26:11Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
- Song 1:3Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured out, therefore the virgins love you.
- Rev 19:13He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.”
- Matt 27:63saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still 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.
How James 2:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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