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James 2:5-7 KJV
James · chapter 2 · verses 5–7
5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?James 2:5-7 · King James Version
James 2:5-7 in context
3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Commentary
Cross references
Key words (Strong's)
- blasphemeblasphēmeōto speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme, to be evil spoken of…G987 →
- brethrenadelphosa brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother…G80 →
- despisedatimazōto dishonour, insult, treat with contempt, whether in word, deed or thoughtG818 →
- Hearkenakouōto be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf, to hear, to attend to, consider what…G191 →
- belovedagapētosbeloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of loveG27 →
- oppresskatadynasteuōto exercise harsh control over one, to use one's power against one, to oppress oneG2616 →
- choseneklegomaito pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self, choosing one out of manyG1586 →
- beforeeisinto, unto, to, towards, for, amongG1519 →
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The apostle is here reproving a very corrupt practice. He shows how much mischief there is in the sin of prosōpolēpsia - respect of persons, which seemed to be a very growing evil in the churches of Christ even in those early ages, and which, in these after-times, has sadly corrupted and divided Christian nations…
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 1-7