What Does James 2:7 Mean in the King James?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The name called over you is a nature you carry, so contempt toward you can become contempt toward that name.
THE MEANING
The “worthy name” is more than a label: it marks the nature you bear. When people treat you with contempt, their words can reach beyond you and dishonor the name associated with you. The verse exposes that contradiction plainly.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A respected name is not honored merely because people claim it; contempt toward those who bear it can itself dishonor that name.
THE ROOT
ὄνομα
onoma
GROWS FROM
ὀνομ-
onom-
The Greek stem for name or designation; in this verse, a name also carries the identity and character represented by it.
The name is “called” over the readers, joining them to the identity it represents. So blaspheming that name is not merely misusing a label; it is speaking against the nature borne by the people who carry it.
ALSO GROWS
onomazō: To name or designate.
ὀνομάζω
The verb shows a name actively identifying someone, rather than serving only as a title.
onomastos: Named, renowned, or well known.
ὀνομαστός
This branch shows how a name can carry a public identity and reputation.
βλασφημέω
blasphemeō
GROWS FROM
βλασφημ-
blasphēm-
The Greek word family for slanderous or insulting speech.
“blaspheme” in this verse is blasphemeō. The verb names an act of speech that damages honor. Here that speech falls on the worthy name through contempt toward the people associated with it.
ALSO GROWS
blasphēmia: Slander or insulting speech.
βλασφημία
The noun makes clear that blasphemy is speech that attacks another’s honor.
blasphēmos: Slanderous or abusive.
βλάσφημος
This adjective describes the character of the speech directed against the name.
ἐπικαλέω
epikaleō
GROWS FROM
καλέω
kaleō
To call, summon, or name; with ἐπί (epi), to call upon or invoke.
The name is invoked over the readers, making belonging part of the verse’s meaning. English “called” can sound like a mere label, while the Greek verb evokes a name called upon them.
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: A calling or invitation.
κλῆσις
This noun shows the same family’s sense of being called into a role or belonging.
klētos: Called or invited.
κλητός
This related form describes someone identified by the call made upon them.
THE PATTERN
When a name is called over people, it marks an identity whose honor is bound up with how those people are treated.
And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.THE THREAD
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.James says the worthy name was called over you; Acts uses the same Greek verb, ἐπικαλέω (epikaleō, call upon), for the Lord’s name called over the nations. The shared wording shows a name invoked over people as an identity they bear.
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