James 2:5

Hearken. As it were, James here brings these self-constituted judges to trial (v. 4).

Brethren. See on James 1:2; 2:1.

Chosen. Gr. eklegomai (see on Rom. 8:33). The form of the Greek word here used emphasizes that God chooses men for Himself. That is, He chooses men who make it a life habit to contemplate, and to trust in, Jesus (see on John 6:40). God will take unto Himself only those who genuinely desire to be like Him. Paul also uses eklegomai to describe God’s choice of the “base things of the world” in the formation of the Christian church (see on 1 Cor. 1:26-28).

Poor of this world. That is, poor in the estimation of this world. Because the “world” (see on James 1:27) judges a man’s worth on the basis of his material possessions, the poor are often despised by those more fortunate. However, Christ has pronounced a blessing on them, teaching that His kingdom will be made up largely of the poor (see on Luke 6:20-25). Men are not called because they are poor but because they are willing to give wholehearted loyalty to Jesus Christ and to trust Him completely (see on Matt. 6:33). The possessions of the rich man often become a substitute for trust in God. Consequently, complete confidence in Christ may not seem so needful to the rich man as it does to the poor man.

Rich in faith. That is, rich in the exercise of faith. The same man may be poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the sight of God.

Heirs of the kingdom. James is here speaking of the future kingdom of glory, the plan for which was laid prior to the entrance of sin into our world (see Dan. 7:27; see on Matt. 25:34). Christians are not only heirs but “joint-heirs” with Jesus, and obtain all the privileges that such an honor imparts (see on Rom. 8:17). This “kingdom” may be compared with the “crown of life” (James 1:12), which also is given “to them that love him.”