Albert Barnes Commentary James 2:7

"Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?" — James 2:7 (ASV)

Do they not blaspheme that worthy name. This is another argument to show that the rich had no special claim to the honour they were inclined to show them. The "worthy name" referred to here is, undoubtedly, the name of the Saviour. The thing affirmed here would, of course, accompany persecution.

Those who persecuted Christians would revile the name they bore. This has always occurred. But besides this, it is not an improbable supposition that many of those who were not inclined to engage in open persecution would revile the name of Christ by speaking contemptuously of him and his religion.

This has been sufficiently common in every age of the world to make the description here entirely appropriate.

And yet, nothing has been more remarkable than the very thing James refers to here: despite this, many who profess to be Christians have been more inclined to treat even such people with respect and attention than they have their own brethren, if those brethren were poor.

They have cultivated the favour, sought the friendship, desired the smiles, aped the manners, and coveted the society of such people, rather than the friendship and favour of their poorer Christian brethren.

Even though such people are known to despise religion in their hearts and are not sparing with their words of reproach and scorn toward Christianity—though they are known blasphemers with the most thorough contempt for serious, spiritual religion—yet many a professing Christian would prefer to be at a party given by them than at a prayer-meeting where their poorer brethren are assembled.

Indeed, many would rather be known by the world as the associates and friends of such individuals than of those humble believers who can make no boast of rank or wealth, and who are looked down upon with contempt by the great and the worldly.