James 2:6

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

But {G1161} ye {G5210} have despised {G818} the poor {G4434}. Do {G2616} not {G3756} rich men {G4145} oppress {G2616} you {G5216}, and {G2532} draw {G846}{G1670} you {G5209} before {G1519} the judgment seats {G2922}?

But you despise the poor! Aren’t the rich the ones who oppress you and drag you into court?

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?

Commentary

James 2:6 KJV delivers a sharp rebuke to early believers who were exhibiting partiality, specifically favoring the wealthy over the poor, despite the reality of their own experiences with oppression. This verse serves as a rhetorical question, highlighting the hypocrisy of their actions.

Context of James 2:6

This verse continues James's passionate argument against showing favoritism within the Christian assembly, which he began in James 2:1-5. James describes a scenario where a rich person is given preferential treatment while a poor person is disrespected. Here in verse 6, he directly accuses them: "But ye have despised the poor." The rhetorical question, "Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?", underscores the profound irony of their behavior. The very class of people they were honoring were often the ones exploiting, persecuting, and legally challenging the believers in the ancient world, often in formal "judgment seats" (Greek: kriteria or dikasteria, referring to courts of law).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Hypocrisy and Inconsistency: James exposes the profound inconsistency of honoring those who, in the secular world, were often their oppressors. Believers were showing deference to the very individuals who would "draw you before the judgment seats" – referring to legal courts where the poor and vulnerable were often at a disadvantage.
  • Despising the Poor: The phrase "ye have despised the poor" (Greek: atimazo, meaning to dishonor, treat contemptuously) reveals a deep moral failing. Instead of upholding the dignity of all, especially the vulnerable, they were actively contributing to their marginalization within the community.
  • Justice and Oppression: The verse highlights the reality of social injustice in the ancient world, where the wealthy often wielded significant power, including the ability to "oppress" (Greek: katadynasteuo, to exercise dominion against, to oppress with power) and exploit others. James challenges believers to align with God's heart for justice, rather than worldly power structures.
  • The Royal Law: This passage implicitly reinforces the importance of the "royal law" mentioned in James 2:8, which is "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Showing partiality, particularly against the poor, is a direct violation of this fundamental command.

Practical Application

For believers today, James 2:6 is a potent reminder to examine our attitudes and actions regarding social standing and wealth. It challenges us to:

  • Reject Classism and Materialism: The church should be a place where all are valued equally, regardless of their economic status. We must actively resist the cultural temptation to equate worth with wealth or power.
  • Advocate for the Marginalized: Just as the rich oppressed the poor in James's day, various forms of oppression and injustice persist. Christians are called to stand with and advocate for the vulnerable, reflecting God's heart for justice as seen throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament's care for the orphan, widow, and sojourner to Jesus's ministry.
  • Live Out True Love: Our actions must align with our profession of faith. True Christian love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, does not show partiality but seeks the good of all, especially those often overlooked by society.
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Cross-References

  • Proverbs 17:5 (13 votes)

    ¶ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:22 (8 votes)

    What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not.

  • Proverbs 14:31 (8 votes)

    ¶ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

  • Psalms 14:6 (4 votes)

    Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD [is] his refuge.

  • Amos 8:4 (3 votes)

    ¶ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

  • Amos 8:6 (3 votes)

    That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; [yea], and sell the refuse of the wheat?

  • James 5:4 (3 votes)

    Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.