James 2:5-6

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:1-13

Respect of persons is inconsistent with the first principles of Christianity. 1. One great function of Christianity was to create a sphere in which there should be neither Jew nor Gentile, Greek nor barbarian, bond nor free. "All equal are within the Church's gate" is true, not only of the material building, but equally of the spiritual fabric of the Catholic Church, which, like her Divine Head, is no respecter of persons. Bengel well remarks that the equality of Christians, indicated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:1-13

Respect of persons. Amongst the other evils of which these Christian Jews were guilty, was the gross evil of respect of persons. James presents the scene graphically, according to his wont. There is the synagogue, with the worshippers gathering for worship, some taking the good places, as it were the chancel-seats, near to the ark with the roll of the Law, and to the table of the Lord; some the lower seats, away from the speaker anti the Word. When, lo, a rich man enters, some stranger to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:5

Hearken ( ἀκούσατε ) . This has been noticed as a coincidence with the speech of St. James in Acts 15:13 . It is, however, too slight to be worth much (cf. Acts 7:2 ; Acts 13:16 ; Acts 22:1 ). For τοῦ κόσμου τούτου , read τῷ κόσμῳ ( א , A, B, C), "poor as to the world;" perhaps "in the estimation of the world." These God chose (to be) rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, etc. The kingdom ; mentioned hero only by St. James (and even here, א , A read ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:5

Worldly poverty is by no means inconsistent with true riches rather it is often accompanied by them, for "God chose the poor as to the world to be rich in faith;" not as if poverty were necessarily accompanied by goodness, or as if all the rich were rejected. But "not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called;" while "the poor," as a class, "have the gospel preached to them." It has been well said that "the temptations of riches assumed in that age very gross... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:5-9

Proof of the sinfulness of respect of persons. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:6

You have dishonored by your treatment the poor man, whom God chose; while those rich men to whom ye pay such honor are just the very persons who Poor … rich. In the Old Testament we occasionally find the term "poor" parallel to "righteous" ( Amos 2:6 ; Amos 5:12 ); and " rich " to "wicked" ( Isaiah 53:9 ). St. James's use here is somewhat similar (see on James 1:9 , etc). "Christiani multi ex pauperibus erant: pauci ex divitibus" (Bengel). The "rich men" here alluded to are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 2:5

Hearken, my beloved brethren - The apostle now proceeds to show that the rich, as such, had no special claim on their favor, and that the poor in fact might be made more entitled to esteem than they were. For a view of the arguments by which he does this, compare the analysis of the chapter.Hath not God chosen the poor of this world? - Those who are poor so far as this world is concerned, or those who have not wealth. This is the first argument which the apostle suggests why the poor should not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 2:6

But ye have despised the poor - Koppe reads this as an interrogation: “Do ye despise the poor?” Perhaps it might be understood somewhat ironically: “You despise the poor, do you, and are disposed to honor the rich! Look then, and see how the rich treat you, and see whether you have so much occasion to regard them with any peculiar respect.” The object of the apostle is to fix the attention on the impropriety of that partiality which many were disposed to show to the rich, by reminding them that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 2:5-7

James 2:5-7. Hearken As if he had said, Stay, consider, ye that judge thus. Does not the presumption lie rather in favour of the poor man? Hath not God chosen the poor That is, are not they whom God hath chosen, generally speaking, poor in this world, who yet are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom Consequently the most honourable of men? And those whom God so highly honours, ought not ye to honour likewise? But ye Christians, that know better; have despised Ητιμασατε , have... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 2:1-13

Favouritism destroys love (2:1-13)Standards of judgment in the church are not the same as those in the society round about. People ought not to be given important places in the church merely because they have important places in the society. Likewise poor people should not be ignored (2:1-4). God welcomes people into his kingdom regardless of wealth or social position, and gives his riches to them equally. James notes how strange it is that the Christians should show special favour to the rich,... read more

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