But if ye have respect to persons... — Translate, But if ye respect persons, ye work sin, and are convicted by the Law (i.e., at the bar of conscience) as transgressors. The first principle has been broken, and not a mere detail. De minimis non curat lex: the laws of men cannot concern themselves with trifles; but the most secret soul may be proven and revealed by some little act of love, or the contrary: and such is the way of the Lord “that searcheth the hearts” (Romans 8:27).
Related Commentaries of James 2:9
James 2:9
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.