James 2:1-Admonition Contra Partiality (Greek Semantics and Syntax)

Greek: Ἀδελφοί μου, μὴ ἐν προσωπολημψίαις ἔχετε τὴν πίστιν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τῆς δόξης;

The opening part of this verse reflects James' favorite way to address his readers; it suggests the close relationship he shared with them (Ἀδελφοί μου).

μὴ ἐν προσωπολημψίαις ἔχετε-James 2:1 might either be expressing a rhetorical query or a prohibition. See Dan G. McCartney, James, pages 134-135 (BECNT Series).

μὴ occurs here with the indicative mood (ἔχετε) and a nominal that is dative plural feminine (προσωπολημψίαις); furthermore, the nominal word appears as part of a prepositional phrase.

BDAG: προσωπολημψία, ας, ἡ ⟦prosōpolēmpsía⟧ (edd. also -ληψία; s. προσωπο-λημπτέω) partiality named as a sin, w. other sins Pol 6:1. Not found in God (TestJob 43:13) Ro 2:11; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25. Pl. τὴν πίστιν ἔχειν ἐν προσωπολημψί-αις hold the faith while showing partiality Js 2:1 (Goodsp, Probs. 142f).—EDNT. TW.

The direct object of ἔχετε is τὴν πίστιν, which is modified by the genitival construct, τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τῆς δόξης.