James 2:6

Despised. Gr. atimazo, “to dishonor.” The first sentence of this verse seems to be more closely connected in thought with v. 5. God’s dealings with men are contrasted with those of the church members James here refers to. God treats all men alike, preferring no man on the basis of worldly status. If God had judged and selected men as these church members were doing, how very few of them would then have been in the church and become “heirs of the kingdom” (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26). This practice of discrimination may have appeared to nonchurch members as standard Christian procedure, and it is this false representation of Jesus Christ that James is anxious to avoid (see on v. 1).

Rich. That is, the rich as a class, most particularly the rich Jews (see v. 7). The early persecution of the Christian church was instigated by the politically powerful Jews, notably the Sadducees (see Vol. V, p. 52; see on Acts 8:1), the traditional oppressors of the poor.

Oppress. Gr. katadunasteuo, “to exercise harsh control.” The same Greek word is used to describe the afflictions by Satan (see Acts 10:38). Church members are to treat others as they would wish to be treated (see on Matt. 7:12). James reminds the “partial” (v. 4) church members of the injustices inflicted on them by the “rich,” and thereby urges these members to avoid any similar oppression of the “poor” in their congregation.

Judgment seats. Gr. kriteria, “courts of justice” (see on 1 Cor. 6:2, 4). These courts need not be confined to the Jewish tribunals, although Jewish men of wealth frequently led out in the persecution (see Acts 16:19; 17:6; 18:12).