James 2

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And 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:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, 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?

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

What does James 2:5 mean?

Explanation

The verse James 2:5 provides a profound reflection on God’s value system as opposed to the world's perception of wealth and status.

It emphasizes that God has a special regard for the poor, selecting them to be "rich in faith" and inheritors of His kingdom, based on the condition of their love for Him.

The verse carries a literal meaning as well as a deeper, spiritual implication.

Literally, it acknowledges the poor as recipients of divine favor.

On a deeper level, it suggests that material wealth is not necessarily an indication of God's blessing or favor; rather, true riches are found in one's faith and relationship with God.

Top Rated James Books

Historical Context

James, likely Jesus' brother, is addressing the early Christian community scattered across various regions.

During that historical period, there was a stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor.

Wealth often entailed social status, power, and influence, whereas the poor were marginalized and considered of little importance.

The Christian faith, however, had a significant following among the less wealthy and was often preached to the poor and downtrodden.

This verse reinforces the Christian doctrine that God's kingdom is inclusive, reversing worldly values by esteeming what is often overlooked or undervalued by society.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, James 2:5 resonates with the biblical theme that God's kingdom subverts human expectations and societal norms.

Protestant Viewpoint: Many Protestants might interpret this verse as reflecting the doctrine of "Sola Fide", meaning that faith alone is what makes someone righteous before God, not their social status or wealth.
Catholic Viewpoint: Catholics might focus on the aspect of 'works done in love' as an embodiment of faith, suggesting that the poor, through their dependency and humility, may be more open to expressing their faith through love and good works.
Orthodox Viewpoint: The Eastern Orthodox tradition could interpret this as a call to divest from worldly attachments and to pursue the riches of spiritual life through faith and love for God, which leads to participation in God's kingdom.
Liberation Theology Perspective: Advocates would emphasize that God's choice of the poor is a call for justice and societal change, pointing to God’s preferential option for the poor.

Practical Applications

James 2:5 has several potential applications in daily life:

Material Wealth: This verse can inspire individuals to rethink their relationship with material wealth and assess value in terms of spiritual richness and faith.
Social Action: The verse encourages believers to actively support and uplift the poor, seeing them as integral members of the Christian community and the inheritors of God's kingdom.
Personal Perspective: It can serve as a reminder for personal humility, urging individuals to value virtues of the spirit over social status or financial success.
Community Involvement: The verse can inspire communal efforts to build a church that welcomes and values all members equally, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Cross-References

Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
1 Corinthians 1:27-28: "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:"
Luke 6:20: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."

Language Study

The term "Hath not God chosen" (Greek: οὐχ ὁ Θεὸς ἐξελέξατο) suggests a deliberate and divine selection, an active choice made by God.
"The poor of this world" (Greek: τοὺς πτωχοὺς τῷ κόσμῳ) refers to those who are economically disadvantaged or in a lowly state concerning worldly standards.
"Rich in faith" (Greek: πλουσίους ἐν πίστει) signifies an abundance or wealth of faith, hinting at a depth and quality of trust in God that surpasses material riches.
"Heirs of the kingdom" (Greek: κληρονόμους τῆς βασιλείας) implicates a right to inheritance, a legal status of one due to receive what is promised, in this case, the kingdom of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

James 2:5 can be contrasted with other ancient beliefs and religious systems where wealth, birthright, or caste often determined one's spiritual status or favor with the gods.

In many ancient cultures, wealth and power were seen as indicative of divine blessing, whereas poverty could be viewed as a curse or moral failure.

This verse presents a starkly different view, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the marginalized and the reversal of human value systems.

Scientific Perspectives

While James 2:5 does not directly engage with scientific topics, it does speak to social sciences in terms of societal values and the human tendency to equate material wealth with overall worth.

It touches on the psychological and sociological aspects of poverty and wealth, implying the importance of a value system that transcends material possessions, something that might be explored through the study of human behavior and social structures.

Commentaries

Different commentaries offer varied insights into James 2:5:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the dignity conferred upon the poor by God's choice, pointing to the riches of their faith and God’s regard for their love, rather than their worldly status.
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary notes the consistent biblical principal that God often chooses the lowly and despised things of the world to fulfill His purposes, a theme echoed in this verse.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests that this teaching from James was in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Himself, reinforcing the upside-down kingdom values where the last shall be first.

These commentaries generally agree that James 2:5 challenges earthly notions of wealth and honor, and that it calls believers to reevaluate their attitudes towards material wealth in light of God’s kingdom values.

James 2

James 2

What does James 2:5 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated James Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does James 2:5 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated James Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?