James 5:6

KJV

Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye have condemned {G2613} and killed {G5407} the just {G1342}; and he doth {G498} not {G3756} resist {G498} you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have condemned, you have murdered the innocent; they have not withstood you.

Berean Standard Bible

You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.

American Standard Version

Ye have condemned, ye have killed the righteous one; he doth not resist you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 5:6 delivers a scathing indictment against the wealthy and powerful within the early Christian community who unjustly oppress and even murder the innocent. This verse serves as the culmination of James's passionate rebuke, highlighting the extreme cruelty and lack of resistance from their victims, thereby underscoring the profound moral outrage and the certainty of divine judgment awaiting such actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the climactic accusation in James's severe denunciation of the rich oppressors, which begins in [James 5:1](/james/5-1 "James 5:1 - Woes to the Rich"). James systematically builds his case, first condemning their hoarding of ill-gotten wealth ([James 5:2-3](/james/5-2-3 "James 5:2-3 - Hoarded Wealth and Coming Judgment")), then exposing their fraudulent withholding of wages from laborers ([James 5:4](/james/5-4 "James 5:4 - The Cries of the Reapers")), and finally castigating their self-indulgent, luxurious living that fattened them for a "day of slaughter" ([James 5:5](/james/5-5 "James 5:5 - Living in Pleasure")). Verse 6 escalates the charge from financial exploitation and neglect to direct judicial murder or actions leading to the death of the innocent, presenting the ultimate consequence of their greed and spiritual blindness. The subsequent verses then shift to exhortations for patience in suffering and the assurance of the Lord's coming ([James 5:7-8](/james/5-7-8 "James 5:7-8 - Patience in Suffering")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** James is writing to Jewish Christians dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, likely in the mid-1st century AD. This period was characterized by significant economic disparities, with a powerful elite often exploiting the vulnerable poor. Many early Christians, being from lower socio-economic strata, would have experienced such oppression firsthand. The "condemned and killed" could refer to literal judicial murder, where the wealthy, often holding positions of influence, could manipulate legal systems to dispossess or even execute the poor who stood in their way. It could also refer to the indirect killing caused by extreme deprivation and neglect, where withholding wages or seizing property led to starvation or death for the impoverished. The cultural expectation was often that the powerful would protect the weak, but here, the powerful are the very instruments of oppression.
* **Key Themes:** James 5:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of James. It underscores the theme of **Social Justice and Righteous Living**, asserting that true faith must manifest in ethical treatment of others, especially the vulnerable. The actions described are a direct violation of God's law and a perversion of justice. It highlights the theme of **Warning Against Worldly Wealth and Pride**, demonstrating how the pursuit of riches can lead to extreme moral corruption and spiritual death. The phrase "the just" emphasizes the theme of **The Suffering of the Righteous**, echoing the plight of many prophets and even Jesus himself, who were unjustly persecuted. Finally, by portraying the victim's non-resistance, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Divine Judgment and Vengeance**, suggesting that while the oppressed may not fight back, God will ultimately vindicate them, as foreshadowed by the cries of the laborers entering "into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth" in [James 5:4](/james/5-4 "The Cry of the Laborers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **condemned (Greek, _katadikázō'_):** From *katá* (down, against) and a derivative of *díkē* (justice, right). This verb means "to adjudge against," "to pronounce guilty," or "to condemn." It implies a formal, legal, or pseudo-legal process where a judgment is rendered against an innocent party, often through corruption or manipulation. The oppressors are not merely harming; they are legitimizing their harm through a perversion of justice.
* **killed (Greek, _phoneúō'_):** Derived from *phoneús* (a murderer). This strong verb means "to be a murderer," "to kill," or "to slay." It denotes a direct, violent act resulting in death. Coupled with "condemned," it suggests that the unjust judgment led directly to the death of the innocent, whether through execution, deprivation, or other fatal means. This is a charge of homicide.
* **just (Greek, _díkaios'_):** From *díkē* (justice). This adjective describes someone who is "equitable (in character or act)," "innocent," or "holy." It emphasizes the moral uprightness and blamelessness of the victims. They are not guilty of any crime that would warrant such condemnation or death; their suffering is purely a result of the oppressors' wickedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye have condemned and killed the just;":** This clause delivers a direct and severe accusation. The "ye" refers to the wealthy oppressors James has been addressing since [James 5:1](/james/5-1 "James 5:1 - Woes to the Rich"). The actions "condemned and killed" are presented as a single, unified act of extreme injustice, implying that the condemnation was a prelude to, or directly resulted in, the death of the victim. The phrase "the just" (or "the righteous one") highlights the moral character of the victim, emphasizing their innocence and blamelessness in the face of such heinous treatment. This is not a punishment for wrongdoing, but an act of pure oppression against the innocent.
* **"and he doth not resist you.":** This second clause underscores the helplessness and vulnerability of the oppressed. The "he" refers to the "just" person who has been condemned and killed. The phrase "doth not resist" (Greek: *ouk antitassetai hymin*) means he does not "set himself against you," "oppose you," or "fight back." This lack of resistance further magnifies the oppressors' guilt, as they are preying on those who are utterly defenseless, either due to their powerlessness, their moral commitment to non-retaliation, or their trust in divine justice.

#### Literary Devices
James employs several powerful literary devices in this terse but impactful verse. The primary device is **Indictment**, as James directly accuses the wealthy oppressors with a stark, unambiguous charge of murder and judicial wrongdoing. This direct address ("Ye have condemned...") creates a confrontational tone. There is also a strong element of **Antithesis**, contrasting the active, violent injustice of the oppressors ("condemned and killed") with the passive, innocent suffering of the victim ("the just," "he doth not resist you"). This stark contrast highlights the moral depravity of the former and the blamelessness of the latter. Furthermore, the verse evokes **Pathos** by depicting the vulnerability and non-resistance of the "just" one, appealing to the reader's sense of compassion and moral outrage against such unprovoked cruelty. The severity of the language, particularly "killed," can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** if it refers to extreme deprivation leading to death rather than literal murder, though it certainly encompasses literal murder as well, emphasizing the ultimate consequence of their actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 5:6 serves as a profound theological statement on God's view of injustice and the suffering of the righteous. It reveals that God is not indifferent to the plight of the oppressed, especially when the "just" are victimized by the powerful. The non-resistance of the victim does not imply God's approval of the injustice but rather sets the stage for divine intervention and ultimate vindication. This verse underscores the biblical principle that genuine faith is inextricably linked to righteous conduct and a commitment to justice, making the oppression of the innocent a grave sin against God himself. It calls believers to align with God's heart for justice and to recognize that the cries of the oppressed reach His ears, ensuring that a day of reckoning will come for those who abuse their power.

* [Psalm 94:6](/psalms/94-6 "Psalm 94:6 - They slay the widow and the stranger")
* [Proverbs 1:11-12](/proverbs/1-11-12 "Proverbs 1:11-12 - Let us lay wait for blood")
* [Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Matthew 23:35 - That upon you may come all the righteous blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 5:6 is a piercing mirror, reflecting the depths of human depravity when wealth and power are unchecked by divine principles, and simultaneously revealing God's profound concern for the unjustly oppressed. For believers today, this verse serves as a potent reminder that our faith is not merely intellectual assent but a call to active righteousness, particularly in how we engage with issues of justice and injustice in our world. It challenges us to look beyond personal piety to systemic issues, asking whether our comfort or prosperity is built upon the exploitation or suffering of others. The non-resistance of the "just" one should not be interpreted as an excuse for inaction on our part, but rather as an urgent summons to be voices for the voiceless and advocates for the vulnerable, trusting that God sees and will ultimately act. This verse compels us to cultivate a heart that grieves over injustice and actively seeks to embody Christ's compassion and pursuit of righteousness in all spheres of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or the systems I participate in, inadvertently contribute to the oppression or marginalization of "the just" in society today?**
* **How does the non-resistance of the victim in this verse challenge my understanding of justice and my role in seeking it?**
* **What specific actions can I take to advocate for or support those who are being unjustly treated and cannot resist on their own?**
* **How does this verse deepen my appreciation for God's character as the ultimate defender of the oppressed?**

### FAQ

**Does "killed" in James 5:6 refer to literal murder or something else?**

Answer: The Greek word *phoneúō* (G5407) literally means "to murder" or "to slay." While it could encompass actions leading to death through extreme deprivation, such as withholding wages that result in starvation, the combination with "condemned" (G2613, *katadikázō*, to pronounce guilty) strongly suggests a formal, albeit unjust, process that culminated in the literal death of the innocent. This could include judicial murder, where the wealthy used their influence to secure a death sentence for the righteous, or other forms of direct violence. James's language is intentionally severe to highlight the gravity of their sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 5:6 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the preeminent "Just One" (Greek: *díkaios*), as affirmed by Peter in [Acts 3:14](/acts/3-14 "Acts 3:14 - You denied the Holy One and the Just") and [Acts 7:52](/acts/7-52 "Acts 7:52 - Who have not persecuted the prophets?"). Jesus was indeed "condemned" by an unjust legal process, orchestrated by powerful religious and political figures who abused their authority ([Matthew 27:1-2, 24-26](/matthew/27-1-26 "Matthew 27:1-26 - Jesus Before Pilate")). This condemnation directly led to His being "killed" through crucifixion, a brutal form of execution ([Mark 15:25](/mark/15-25 "Mark 15:25 - They crucified him")). Crucially, throughout His trial and execution, Jesus "did not resist" His oppressors. As prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth"), He remained silent before His accusers and willingly submitted to the Father's will, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - He humbled himself and became obedient to death")). His non-resistance was not a sign of weakness, but of divine strength and perfect obedience, a willing sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - I lay down my life that I may take it again")). Thus, James 5:6 not only condemns the unjust but also foreshadows the ultimate act of injustice against the perfectly righteous One, whose innocent suffering brings salvation to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

Acts 8:32

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

Matthew 5:39

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Luke 22:51

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Luke 22:53

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

John 19:9

And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.