---
title: "Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "John Owen"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 100 of 107
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentaries-on-the-catholic-epistles/100/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. John Owen, Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, section 100. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentaries-on-the-catholic-epistles/100/"
---

# Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles

*John Calvin, tr. John Owen*

Calvin on James, Peter, John and Jude.

## 100. Chapter 2

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentaries-on-the-catholic-epistles/100/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentaries-on-the-catholic-epistles/100/#p-N

[¶0] 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons on account of reputation.

[¶1] 2 For if there enter into your assembly a man wearing gold rings, having on a splendid dress, and there enter in also a poor man in sordid clothing;

[¶2] 3 And ye have respect to him who wears a splendid dress, and say to him, “Sit thou here honorably,” and ye say to the poor, “Stand thou there,” or, “Sit here under my foot- stool;”

[¶3] 4 Are ye not condemned in yourselves, and become judges of evil thoughts?

[¶4] 5 Hear, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them who love Him?

[¶5] 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not the rich domineer over you, and draw you before judgment-seats?

[¶6] 7 Do they not blaspheme the good name which is called on you?

[¶7] 8 If indeed ye fulfill the royal law, according to Scripture,

[¶8] 9 “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” ye do well: but if ye respect persons, ye commit sin, and are reproved by the law as transgressors.

[¶9] 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one thing, becomes guilty of all:

[¶10] 11 For he who hath said, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” hath said also, “Thou shalt not kill.” Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou becomest a transgressor of the law.

[¶11] 12 So speak ye and so do, as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty.

[¶12] 13 For judgment will be without mercy to him who hath not shewed mercy; and mercy glorieth against judgment.

[¶13] 14 What does it avail, my brethren, if any one say that he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?

[¶14] 15 Now, if a brother or a sister be naked and in want of daily bread, and one of you say to them, “Go away in peace, be warmed and be filled;”

[¶15] 16 Though ye give them not those things which are necessary for the body, what does it avail?

[¶16] 17 Even so faith, if it hath no works, being by itself, is dead.

[¶17] 18 Nay, rather, one may say, “Thou hast faith and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will by my works shew thee my faith.”

[¶18] 19 Then believest that there is one God; thou doest right: the devils also believe and tremble.

[¶19] 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

[¶20] 21 Abraham our father, was he not justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

[¶21] 22 Seest thou that faith co-operated with his works, and faith was by works made perfect?

[¶22] 23 And fulfilled was the Scripture which saith, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness:” and he was called the Friend of God

[¶23] 24 Ye then see, that by works is man justified, and not by faith only

[¶24] 25 In like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, when she received the messengers, and sent them forth another way?

[¶25] 26 For as the body without the soul is dead, so also faith without works is dead.