James 2 · Verse 7

James 2:7

Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

James 2:7, King James Version

James 2:7 in other translations

BSB	Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?
WEB	Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?
ASV	Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?
YLT	do they not themselves speak evil of the good name that was called upon you?
DARBY	And do not they blaspheme the excellent name which has been called upon you?
BBE	Do they not say evil of the holy name which was given to you?
Webster	Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

What does James 2:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. "Is it not they that blaspheme?" &c. as in Jas 2:6 [Alford]. Rich heathen must here chiefly be meant; for none others would directly blaspheme the name of Christ. Only indirectly rich Christians can be meant, who, by their inconsistency, caused His name to be blasphemed; so Eze 36:21, 22; Ro 2:24. Besides, there were few rich Jewish Christians at Jerusalem (Ro 15:26). They who dishonor God's name by wilful and habitual sin, "take (or bear) the Lord's name in vain" (compare Pr 30:9, with Ex 20:7). that worthy name--which is "good before the Lord's saints" (Psa 52:9; 54:6); which ye pray may be "hallowed" (Mt 6:9), and "by which ye are called," literally, "which was invoked" or, "called upon by you" (compare Ge 48:16; Is 4:1, Margin; Ac 15:17), so that at your baptism "into the name" (so the Greek, Mt 28:19) of Christ, ye became Christ's people (1Co 3:23).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 7. Do they not blaspheme that worthy name. This is another argument to show that the rich had no special claim to the honour which they were disposed to show them. The "worthy name" here referred to is, doubtless, the name of the Saviour. The thing here affirmed would, of course, accompany persecution. They who persecuted Christians, would revile the name which they bore. This has always occurred. But besides this, it is no improbable supposition that many of those who were not disposed 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 not improper. And yet nothing has been more remarkable than the very thing adverted to here by James, that notwithstanding this, many who profess to be Christians have been more disposed to treat even such persons with respect and attention than they have their own brethren, if they were poor; that they have cultivated the favour, sought the friendship, desired the smiles, aped the manners, and coveted the society of such persons, rather than the friendship and the favour of their poorer Christian brethren. Even though they are known to despise religion in their hearts, and not to be sparing of their words of reproach and scorn towards Christianity; though they are known to be blasphemers, and to have the most thorough contempt for serious, spiritual religion, yet there is many a professing Christian who would prefer to be at a party given by such persons than at a prayer-meeting where their poorer brethren are assembled; who would rather be known by the world to be the associates and friends of such persons, 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 gay.

(a) "that worthy name" Ps 111:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 7 Blaspheme that worthy name - They took every occasion to asperse the Christian name and the Christian faith, and have been, from the beginning to the present day, famous for their blasphemies against Christ and his religion. It is evident that these were Jews of whom St. James speaks; no Christians in these early times could have acted the part here mentioned.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 2:1-13

Chapter Outline All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. (1-13) The necessity of good works to prove the sincerity of faith, which otherwise will be of no more advantage than the faith of devils. (14-26) Verses 1-13 Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not agreeing…

Read the full comment on James 2:1-13 →

James 2:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐκoukSurelyG3756

αὐτοὶautoithey themselvesG846

βλασφημοῦσινblasphēmousinare denigratingG987

τὸtotheG3588

καλὸνkalongoodG2570

ὄνομαonomaNameG3686

τὸtowhichG3588

ἐπικληθὲνepiklēthenhaving been calledG1941

ἐφ᾽eph᾽uponG1909

ὑμᾶς;humasyou?G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 2:7

Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Psalms 111:9
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Ephesians 3:15
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Revelation 13:5-6
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Song of Solomon 1:3
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 26:11
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Psalms 73:7-9
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Isaiah 65:15
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

blaspheme.
Ps 73:7-9; Mt 12:24; 27:63; Lu 22:64,65; Ac 26:11; 1Ti 1:13
Re 13:5,6
worthy.
Ps 111:9; So 1:3; Isa 7:14; 9:6,7; Jer 23:6; Mt 1:23; Ac 4:12
Php 2:9-11; Re 19:13,16
by.
Isa 65:15; Ac 11:26; Eph 3:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

James 2:6
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
James 2:7
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
James 2:8
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Read all of James 2

James 2:7 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	¿No blasfeman ellos el buen nombre que fué invocado sobre vosotros?
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Ne sont-ce pas eux qui blasphèment le beau nom qui a été invoqué sur vous?
German Elberfelder 1871	Lästern nicht sie den guten Namen, der über euch angerufen worden ist?
Latin Clementine Vulgate	nonne ipsi blasphemant bonum nomen, quod invocatum est super vos?