James 2:5
What does James 2:5 mean?
A plain-English look at James 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 2:5 means
James calls the church to listen carefully: God has chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the promised kingdom to those who love Him. Poverty does not save, but God often displays His grace by exalting the lowly and filling them with spiritual wealth. The poor, frequently free from illusions of self-sufficiency, are poised to receive the kingdom’s blessings. Favoritism toward the rich, then, opposes God’s surprising economy. If God delights to honor those the world disregards, how can Christ’s people dishonor them? The promise of the kingdom dignifies believers regardless of their earthly resources.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hearken, 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hearken, 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hearken, 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give ear, my dear brothers; are not those who are poor in the things of this world marked out by God to have faith as their wealth, and for their heritage the kingdom which he has said he will give to those who have love for him?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Hearken, my brethren beloved, did not God choose the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the reign that He promised to those loving Him?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Hearken, my dearest brethren: Hath not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hear, my beloved brethren: Has notGod chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?
Context
Having exposed prejudice in verse 4, James anchors his correction in God’s redemptive pattern. Verses 5–7 counter the congregation’s instinct to favor the rich by showing God’s valuing of the poor, the typical oppression by the powerful, and the blasphemy some of them commit. This theological lens reframes the earlier scene and prepares for the moral conclusion in verses 8–13, where James ties partiality to the law of love and to final judgment. Verse 5 is thus a pivot from diagnosis to doctrine.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 11:26
accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.
- Proverbs 7:24
Now therefore, mysons, hearken unto me, And attend to the words of my mouth.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, Andwhichentered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
- Job 34:10
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
- Acts 7:2
And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
- Zechariah 11:7
So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
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