James 2:5

Listen to me, my fellow believers whom I love: God has chosen [RHQ] poor people whom unbelievers consider to possess nothing of value, so that he might bless them greatly because they trust in him, and in order that they will enter the place where he will rule [MET] forever. That is what he has promised to those who love him.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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?

In Context

4Then you have obviously [RHQ] caused divisions in the congregation (OR, you are clearly treating one better than the others, and you are using evil motives/reasons to ◄ evaluate people/decide whether people are important or not►).

6But you dishonor the poor people. Think about it! ◄It is rich people, not poor people, who are causing you to suffer!/Isn’t it rich people, not poor people, who are oppressing you?► [RHQ] ◄It is the rich people who forcibly take you to court to accuse you in front of judges!/Is it not the rich people who forcibly take you to court to accuse you in front of judges?► [RHQ]

Read all of James 2

Cross References

Exodus 20:6But I will steadfastly love thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments (OR, I will love for thousands of generations.)

1 Samuel 2:30“Therefore, this is what Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis worship, declares: ‘I definitely promised that Aaron and his descendants would continue to serve [IDM] me forever.’ But now I declare this: ‘It will not continue like that! I will honor those who honor me, but I will despise those who despise me.

Job 34:10“So, you men who claim that you understand everything, listen to me! Almighty God would never consider doing anything that is wicked or wrong [DOU]!

Job 38:14When it becomes light after the dawn, the hills and the valleys become clear like the folds in a cloth.

Proverbs 8:17I, wisdom, love all those who love me, and all those who truly seek me will find me.

Isaiah 14:32If messengers from Philistia come to us Israeli people, this is what we must [RHQ] tell them: “Yahweh has established Jerusalem, not Philistia, and his people who are oppressed will be safe inside the walls of Jerusalem.”

Matthew Henry on James 2:2-8

Regard Due to Poor Christians; Partiality Condemned. ( a. d. 61.) 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 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; 3 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: 4 Are ye not then partial in… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study James 2:5