Ministry of Grace Church

Don’t they blaspheme that beautiful name by which you are called?

Truth to Learn

The conversation of the rich and famous is more an indication of their devotion to God (or lack thereof) than their wealth.

Behind the Words

The word “blaspheme” is not a translation but a transliteration. That is, the translators took the Greek word and brought it directly into English. The Greek word is blasphemeō. The meaning of the word is “to vilify, speak evil of, or slander.”

“Beautiful” is translated from the Greek word kalos, which means “good” or “beautiful.” This serves to further emphasize the vileness of the blasphemy by these rich people.

The words “name by which you are called” could be more accurately translated, “the name having been called upon you.” The verb “you are called” is a form of epikaleō. This is made up of epi, meaning “on, over, or upon” and kaleō, meaning to call. It is expressed here in the passive voice, indicating something done to the subject. When we are called Christians, we are identified with the Lord Himself. But it is also the name given to us by God when He called us. God chose us and He called us to be His, as Paul says in the book of Romans:

And whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

Meaning Explained

James has been speaking about how we hold rich people in higher esteem than poor people. We offer the choice seats in church to these rich people and we treat the poor as if they were trash. We do such things for strictly selfish reasons. We think we can benefit from the wealth of the rich people and we’re afraid of what others will think of us if we are friendly to poor people. That’s nothing more than selfishness, and it is sin! There are some rich people who love Jesus Christ and are submitted to his leading in their lives, but these are the exception rather than the rule. The value we place upon people should be based on their submission to God, not their wealth.

Three of the Gospel writers recounted the story about the devout, rich man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. After the man refused to give up his riches to follow Jesus, Jesus turned to his disciples and said:

“Children, how hard it is for those trusting on riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mar 10:24b, 25)

To such people as this, the name of Christ is no more than a swear word.

Application

Do you judge people based on the type of job they have, the type of car they drive, or the house they live in? These may be signs of monetary wealth, but they give you no clue as to a person’s spiritual wealth. You can only tell that by observing how they respond to God’s Word, how they treat others, and especially how they talk.