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James 2:5

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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?

Hearken {G191}, my {G3450} beloved {G27} brethren {G80}, Hath {G1586} not {G3756} God {G2316} chosen {G1586} the poor {G4434} of this {G5127} world {G2889} rich {G4145} in {G1722} faith {G4102}, and {G2532} heirs {G2818} of the kingdom {G932} which {G3739} he hath promised {G1861} to them that love {G25} him {G846}?

Listen, my dear brothers, hasn’t God chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and to receive the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

Commentary

Context

James 2:5 is a pivotal verse in the Apostle James's strong rebuke against partiality and favoritism within the early Christian community. Following his initial warning against showing deference to the rich over the poor in James 2:1, this verse lays the theological foundation for his argument. James challenges believers to reconsider their worldly standards of judgment, reminding them of God's own perspective on true value and worth, which often contrasts sharply with human societal norms of the 1st-century Roman world.

Key Themes

  • God's Counter-Cultural Choice: This verse highlights God's tendency to choose and elevate those whom the world often overlooks or despises – the economically poor. It directly challenges human standards of worth, emphasizing that divine election is based on spiritual readiness and a humble heart, not material status. This echoes the sentiment that God often chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise and mighty.
  • True Riches are Spiritual: The phrase "rich in faith" stands in stark contrast to "poor of this world." James emphasizes that genuine wealth in God's eyes is spiritual maturity, unwavering trust, and deep devotion, rather than worldly possessions. This spiritual richness is the true treasure that endures.
  • Heirs of the Kingdom: Those chosen by God, who are rich in faith, are promised an eternal inheritance in His kingdom. This points to a future hope and a spiritual reality far surpassing any earthly legacy or material gain. This promise aligns with the Beatitudes, where the poor in spirit are promised the kingdom of heaven, and the concept of believers being co-heirs with Christ.
  • Love for God as a Qualifier: The promise of the kingdom is specifically for "them that love him," underscoring that genuine love for God is the ultimate characteristic distinguishing His chosen people. This love is not merely an emotion but is demonstrated through obedience and devotion, as seen in Jesus' teaching on loving God and keeping His commandments.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "chosen" is eklegomai (ἐκλέγομαι), which signifies a deliberate, divine selection or election, emphasizing God's sovereign initiative in calling individuals.
  • "Poor of this world" translates from tous ptōchous tō kosmō (τοὺς πτωχοὺς τῷ κόσμῳ), referring to those who are economically destitute and often marginalized in society.
  • "Rich in faith" comes from plousious en pistei (πλουσίους ἐν πίστει), directly contrasting worldly poverty with spiritual abundance and indicating where true value lies in God's economy.

Practical Application

James 2:5 serves as a profound challenge to contemporary Christian communities to examine their values and practices. Do we inadvertently honor wealth, status, or influence over genuine faith and humility? This verse calls believers to embrace a kingdom perspective, where true riches are measured by spiritual depth, unwavering faith, and love for God, not material possessions or social standing. It encourages us to welcome, uplift, and value those who are economically poor but spiritually rich, recognizing them as God's chosen and future heirs of His eternal kingdom. The passage urges us to practice radical hospitality, impartiality, and love, reflecting God's own just and impartial character within the church and in our daily interactions.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:3 (30 votes)

    Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  • Luke 6:20 (24 votes)

    ¶ And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

  • Revelation 2:9 (14 votes)

    I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:26 (12 votes)

    For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:28 (12 votes)

    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:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9 (9 votes)

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

  • Luke 12:21 (8 votes)

    So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.