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Text -- James 2:6 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
2:6 But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: WEALTH, WEALTHY | Rulers | Riches | Respect of Persons | Poor | Persecution | Oppression | JUDGMENT SEAT | Faith | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Jam 2:6 - -- But ye have dishonoured the poor man ( humeis de ētimasate ton ptōchon ). First aorist active indicative of atimazō , old verb from atimos , di...

But ye have dishonoured the poor man ( humeis de ētimasate ton ptōchon ).

First aorist active indicative of atimazō , old verb from atimos , dishonoured (Mat 13:57). In the act of partiality pictured in Jam 2:3.

Robertson: Jam 2:6 - -- Oppress you ( katadunasteuousin humōn ). Not very common compound (katadunasteuō , present active indicative, from kata and dunastēs , potent...

Oppress you ( katadunasteuousin humōn ).

Not very common compound (katadunasteuō , present active indicative, from kata and dunastēs , potentate, Luk 1:52), used of the devil in Act 10:38 (only other N.T. example). Examples in papyri of harsh treatment by men in authority. Already poor Christians are feeling pressure from rich Jews as overlords.

Robertson: Jam 2:6 - -- Drag you ( helkousin humas ). Old and vigorous word for violent treatment, as of Paul in Act 16:19; Act 21:30. Cf. such violence in Luk 12:58; Act 8:...

Drag you ( helkousin humas ).

Old and vigorous word for violent treatment, as of Paul in Act 16:19; Act 21:30. Cf. such violence in Luk 12:58; Act 8:3.

Robertson: Jam 2:6 - -- Before the judgment-seats ( eis kritēria ). "To courts of justice"as in 1Co 6:2, 1Co 6:4 (only other N.T. examples). Common in the papyri in this s...

Before the judgment-seats ( eis kritēria ).

"To courts of justice"as in 1Co 6:2, 1Co 6:4 (only other N.T. examples). Common in the papyri in this sense. From krinō to judge, kritēs (judge), place where judgment is given.

Vincent: Jam 2:6 - -- Despised ( ἠτιμάσατε ) Not strong enough. They had manifested their contempt; had done despite to them. Rev., correctly, dishon...

Despised ( ἠτιμάσατε )

Not strong enough. They had manifested their contempt; had done despite to them. Rev., correctly, dishonored. From the use of the aorist tense, ye dishonored, which the A. V. and Rev. render as a perfect, ye have dishonored, the reference would appear to be to a specific act like that described in Jam 2:2, Jam 2:3.

Vincent: Jam 2:6 - -- Oppress ( καταδυναστεύουσιν ) Only here and Act 10:38. The preposition κατά , against, implies a power exercised for ha...

Oppress ( καταδυναστεύουσιν )

Only here and Act 10:38. The preposition κατά , against, implies a power exercised for harm. Compare being lords over, 1Pe 5:3, and exercise dominion, Mat 20:25, both compounded with this preposition.

Vincent: Jam 2:6 - -- Draw ( ἕλκουσιν ) Not strong enough. The word implies violence. Hence, better, as Rev., drag. Compare Livy's phrase, " a lictori...

Draw ( ἕλκουσιν )

Not strong enough. The word implies violence. Hence, better, as Rev., drag. Compare Livy's phrase, " a lictoribus trahi, to be dragged by the lictors to judgment;" Act 8:3, of Saul haling or hauling men and women to prison; and Luk 12:58.

Vincent: Jam 2:6 - -- Judgment-seats ( κριτήρια ) Only here and 1Co 6:2, 1Co 6:4.

Judgment-seats ( κριτήρια )

Only here and 1Co 6:2, 1Co 6:4.

Wesley: Jam 2:6 - -- By open violence; often drag you - Under colour of law.

By open violence; often drag you - Under colour of law.

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- The world's judgment of the poor contrasted with God's.

The world's judgment of the poor contrasted with God's.

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- Christians, from whom better things might have been expected; there is no marvel that men of the world do so.

Christians, from whom better things might have been expected; there is no marvel that men of the world do so.

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- Literally, "dishonored." To dishonor the poor is to dishonor those whom God honors, and so to invert the order of God [CALVIN].

Literally, "dishonored." To dishonor the poor is to dishonor those whom God honors, and so to invert the order of God [CALVIN].

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- As a class.

As a class.

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- Literally, "abuse their power against" you.

Literally, "abuse their power against" you.

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- Translate, "is it not they (those very persons whom ye partially prefer, Jam 2:1-4) that drag you (namely, with violence)" [ALFORD].

Translate, "is it not they (those very persons whom ye partially prefer, Jam 2:1-4) that drag you (namely, with violence)" [ALFORD].

JFB: Jam 2:6 - -- Instituting persecutions for religion, as well as oppressive lawsuits, against you.

Instituting persecutions for religion, as well as oppressive lawsuits, against you.

Clarke: Jam 2:6 - -- Do not rich men oppress you - The administration of justice was at this time in a miserable state of corruption among the Jews; but a Christian was ...

Do not rich men oppress you - The administration of justice was at this time in a miserable state of corruption among the Jews; but a Christian was one who was to expect no justice any where but from his God. The words καταδυναστευουσιν, exceedingly oppress, and ἑλκουσιν εις κριτηρια, drag you to courts of justice, show how grievously oppressed and maltreated the Christians were by their countrymen the Jews, who made law a pretext to afflict their bodies, and spoil them of their property.

Calvin: Jam 2:6 - -- 6.Do not the rich. He seems to instigate them to vengeance by bringing forward the unjust rule of the rich, in order that they who were unjustly trea...

6.Do not the rich. He seems to instigate them to vengeance by bringing forward the unjust rule of the rich, in order that they who were unjustly treated, might render like for like: and yet we are everywhere bid to do good to those who injure us. But the object of James was another; for he only wished to shew that they were without reason or judgment who through ambition honored their executioners, and in the meantime injured their own friends, at least those from whom they never suffered any wrong. For hence appeared more fully their vanity, that they were induced by no acts of kindness: they only admired the rich, because they were rich; nay, they servilely flattered those whom they found, to their own loss, to be unjust and cruel.

There are, indeed, some of the rich who are just, and meek, and hate all unrighteousness; but few of such men are to be found. James, then, mentions what for the most part usually happens, and what daily experience proves true. For as men commonly exercise their power in doing what is wrong, it hence happens, that the more power any one has, the worse he is, and the more unjust towards his neighbors. The more careful then ought the rich to be, lest they should contract any of the contagion which everywhere prevails among those of their own rank.

TSK: Jam 2:6 - -- ye : Jam 2:3; Psa 14:6; Pro 14:31, Pro 17:5; Ecc 9:15, Ecc 9:16; Isa 53:3; Joh 8:49; 1Co 11:22 Do : Jam 5:4; Job 20:19; Psa 10:2, Psa 10:8, Psa 10:10,...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Jam 2:6 - -- But ye have despised the poor - Koppe reads this as an interrogation: "Do ye despise the poor?"Perhaps it might be understood somewhat ironical...

But ye have despised the poor - Koppe reads this as an interrogation: "Do ye despise the poor?"Perhaps it might be understood somewhat ironically: "You despise the poor, do you, and are disposed to honor the rich! Look then, and see how the rich treat you, and see whether you have so much occasion to regard them with any peculiar respect."The object of the apostle is to fix the attention on the impropriety of that partiality which many were disposed to show to the rich, by reminding them that the rich had never evinced towards them any such treatment as to lay the foundation of a claim to the honor which they were disposed to render them.

Do not rich men oppress you? - Referring probably to something in their conduct which existed particularly then. The meaning is not that they oppressed the poor as such, but that they oppressed those whom James addressed. It is probable that then, as since, a considerable portion of those who were Christians were in fact poor, and that this would have all the force of a personal appeal; but still the particular thought is, that it was a characteristic of the rich and the great, whom they were disposed peculiarly to honor, to oppress and crush the poor. The Greek here is very expressive: "Do they not imperiously lord it over you?"The statement here will apply with too much force to the rich in every age.

And draw you before the judgment-seats - That is, they are your persecutors rather than your friends. It was undoubtedly the case that many of the rich were engaged in persecuting Christians, and that on various pretences they dragged them before the judicial tribunals.

Poole: Jam 2:6 - -- But ye have despised the poor God’ s poor, viz. by your respecting persons. Do not rich men? Either those that were unbelieving Jews or heathe...

But ye have despised the poor God’ s poor, viz. by your respecting persons.

Do not rich men? Either those that were unbelieving Jews or heathen; or such as made a profession of Christianity, but were not cordial friends to it; or, both may be included.

Oppress you insolently abuse you, and unrighteously, either usurping a power over you which belongs not to them, or abusing the power they have.

And draw you before the judgment-seats especially before unbelieving judges, 1Co 6:1,6 : they would colour their oppression with a pretence of law, and therefore drew the poor saints before the judgment-seat.

Gill: Jam 2:6 - -- But ye have despised the poor,.... Or dishonoured, and reproached them, by showing respect of persons, in preferring the rich to them, and in distingu...

But ye have despised the poor,.... Or dishonoured, and reproached them, by showing respect of persons, in preferring the rich to them, and in distinguishing them in such a manner as was to their contempt and injury; which is a reproaching not only of them, but their Maker; and is in effect saying, that God has done either a weak or a wrong thing, in choosing them to be rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom, it being directly contrary to his conduct:

do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? which may be understood either of rich men that were unbelievers; and these either the Heathen magistrates, who ruled over them in a tyrannical way, and with rigour, and often summoned them before them, and persecuted them with violence; or their own countrymen, the Jews, who stirred up the chief men of the Gentiles against them, and drew them to their judgment seats, as they drew Paul to the judgment seat of Gallio, Act 13:50 or else of rich professors of religion, who assumed a despotic power over the poor brethren of the church, and loved to have the pre-eminence over them, as Diotrephes did, and set up tribunals in the churches, and tried and condemned them in an arbitrary way; or else upon civil accounts had them before heathen magistrates, and went to law with them in their courts, before unbelievers, which is a practice condemned in 1Co 6:1, and seeing now rich men used them so ill, the apostle mentions this as an argument to dissuade them from respect of persons; seeing they had but little reason to show so much regard unto them, who had treated them in so evil a manner: this is not to be understood of all rich men; nor is the apostle's design to destroy that natural and civil order there is among men, by reason of their different stations, offices, and circumstances; it being highly proper that honour should he given to whom honour is due, but not to the dishonour of another.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jam 2:6 This is singular: “the poor person,” perhaps referring to the hypothetical one described in vv. 2-3.

Geneva Bible: Jam 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. ( 3 ) Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? ( 3 ) Secondly, he proves them to be fools:...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Jam 2:1-26 - --1 It is not agreeable to Christian profession to regard the rich, and to despise the poor brethren;13 rather we are to be loving and merciful;14 and n...

MHCC: Jam 2:1-13 - --Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner...

Matthew Henry: Jam 2:1-7 - -- The apostle is here reproving a very corrupt practice. He shows how much mischief there is in the sin of prosōpolēpsia - respect of persons,...

Barclay: Jam 2:5-7 - --"God," said Abraham Lincoln, "must love the common people because he made so many of them." Christianity has always had a special message for the p...

Constable: Jam 2:1-26 - --III. Partiality and Vital Faith 2:1-26 "In the epistle of James, the Holy Spirit has given the church a commenta...

Constable: Jam 2:1-13 - --A. The Problem of Favoritism 2:1-13 James' previous reference to hypocritical religiosity (1:26-27) seem...

Constable: Jam 2:5-7 - --3. The inconsistency of favoritism 2:5-7 James' three questions in these verses all expect positive answers, as is clear in the construction of the Gr...

College: Jam 2:1-26 - --JAMES 2 VII. JUDGING BY APPEARANCE (2:1-13) A. FAVORITISM (2:1-7) 1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favorit...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: James (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF JAMES BEFORE a.d. 50 By Way of Introduction The Author He claims to be James, and so the book is not anonymous. It is either ge...

JFB: James (Book Introduction) THIS is called by EUSEBIUS ([Ecclesiastical History, 2.23], about the year 330 A.D.) the first of the Catholic Epistles, that is, the Epistles intende...

JFB: James (Outline) INSCRIPTION: EXHORTATION ON HEARING, SPEAKING, AND WRATH. (Jam. 1:1-27) THE SIN OF RESPECT OF PERSONS: DEAD, UNWORKING FAITH SAVES NO MAN. (Jam. 2:1-...

TSK: James (Book Introduction) James, the son of Alphaeus, the brother of Jacob, and the near relation of our Lord, called also James the Less, probably because he was of lower stat...

TSK: James 2 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Jam 2:1, It is not agreeable to Christian profession to regard the rich, and to despise the poor brethren; Jam 2:13, rather we are to be ...

Poole: James 2 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 2

MHCC: James (Book Introduction) This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular errors at that time brou...

MHCC: James 2 (Chapter Introduction) (Jam 2:1-13) All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. (Jam 2:14-26) The necessity of good works to prove the s...

Matthew Henry: James (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The General Epistle of James The writer of this epistle was not James the son of Zebedee; for he was pu...

Matthew Henry: James 2 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter the apostle condemns a sinful regarding of the rich, and despising the poor, which he imputes to partiality and injustice, and show...

Barclay: James (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER OF JAMES James is one of the books which bad a very hard fight to get into the New Testament. Even when it did come to ...

Barclay: James 2 (Chapter Introduction) Respect Of Persons (Jam_2:1) The Peril Of Snobbery Within The Church (Jam_2:2-4) The Riches Of Poverty And The Poverty Of Riches (Jam_2:5-7) The R...

Constable: James (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background The writer of this epistle was evidently the half-b...

Constable: James (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1 II. Trials and true religion 1:2-27 A. The v...

Constable: James James Bibliography Adamson, James B. The Epistle of James. New International Commentary on the New Testament se...

Haydock: James (Book Introduction) THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES, THE APOSTLE. __________ ON THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES. INTRODUCTION. The seven following Epistles have bee...

Gill: James (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JAMES This epistle is called "general", because not written to any particular person, as the epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philem...

Gill: James 2 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 2 In this chapter the apostle dissuades from a respect of persons, on account of outward circumstances; shows that the law is...

College: James (Book Introduction) FOREWORD I owe a debt of gratitude to many for assistance with this volume. John York and John Hunter are responsible for making me a part of the Co...

College: James (Outline) OUTLINE I. GREETING - 1:1 II. ENDURING TRIALS - 1:2-4 III. ASK FOR WISDOM - 1:5-8 IV. RICHES TEMPORARY - 1:9-11 V. TEMPTATION NOT FROM ...

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