Grading on a Curve

A Series on the book of James
Favoritism forbidden
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
James 2:1-13 

[James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. In some ways, it’s similar to Old Testament wisdom literature like Proverbs. It includes many practical applications to help a believer grow in their faith. In this series, we will look at the wisdom of James’ letter and how it applies to our lives.]

  

When I was in school, I was a decent student. I paid attention in class, did my homework and studied for exams. But if a teacher graded on a curve, it was common knowledge that you didn’t have to work as hard. Just harder than the other guy.

 

Grading on a curve encourages us to compare ourselves to others. It doesn’t push us to excellence; it doesn’t push us to perfection. Instead, it allows us to accept mediocrity. This is true, not just in the classroom, but also in life.

 

The Jewish Christians to whom James wrote his letter, had a problem with showing favoritism to rich people. What he wrote regarding this was a scathing indictment.

 

¹ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?    NLT

 

In their defense, you can understand why it might have been a temptation. During the first century, the vast majority of people were extremely poor. Plus, keep in mind that these believers had scattered across the Mediterranean world to flee from persecution. As a result, they were living on the edge – barely surviving at times.

 

So, if they crossed paths with someone of means; someone who dressed well; someone who was wealthy – it would have been easy to rationalize why it was okay for them to manipulate that person for their own personal financial benefit. While at the same time, ignoring the needs of poor people.

 

But not for James. Sounding similar to one of the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he reminded them about how God views poor people.

 

⁵ Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?          NLT

 

Then he quoted the “royal law” from Leviticus – “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Following this he explained that by showing favoritism, the believers were sinning. They were breaking the “royal law”. And if you break one of God’s laws, you break all of them.

 

Grading on a curve in life makes it much easier. All we have to do is find someone who we’re just a little bit better than. For example, we can say, “I may have showed favoritism, but at least I didn’t murder anyone”.

 

In America, we live in a secular culture where there are no absolute truths. But God doesn’t grade on a curve. His Word is unchanging. It’s immutable. This would be bad news for us except for the fact that we have a loving and merciful God.

 

Paul, who before he was converted, was systematically persecuting the church with murder in his heart. After his conversion, he had this to say about the mercy of God.

 

¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.              NLT   1 Timothy 1

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

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