James 2:6

Verse

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

American Standard Version (1901)

But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?

But you have put the poor man to shame. Are not the men of wealth rulers over you? do they not take you by force before their judges?

Douay-Rheims 1899

But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you by might? and do not they draw you before the judgment seats?

Free Bible Version

But you've treated the poor shamefully. Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you before the courts?

Geneva Bible 1599

But ye haue despised the poore. Doe not the riche oppresse you by tyrannie, and doe not they drawe you before the iudgement seates?

King James (Authorized) Version

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Plain English Version

So, if you rubbish poor people, you are wrong. Think about this. Who is hard on you? What people take you to court? Do poor people do that, or rich people? Rich people do it.

Translation for Translators

But 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]

Unlocked Literal Bible

But you have dishonored the poor! Is it not the rich who oppress you? Are they not the ones who drag you to court?

Noah Webster Bible

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?

World English Bible

But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you and personally drag you before the courts?

Young's Literal Translation

and ye did dishonour the poor one; do not the rich oppress you and themselves draw you to judgment-seats;

Context

A Warning against Favoritism

⁵Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?⁶But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? ⁷Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

Sermons

The Warfare of Suffering Brothers

Russell Moore

1.2K

Summary

In James 2:6, the author addresses the issue of showing favoritism based on wealth. The verse highlights the sin of discrimination and partiality, emphasizing that it goes against the principles of God's kingdom. By condemning the mistreatment of the poor while honoring the rich, James underscores the importance of treating all individuals with equality and respect. This verse serves as a reminder to Christians to love their neighbors as themselves, regardless of their social or economic status. Ultimately, it calls believers to embody the love and impartiality that reflect God's character in their interactions with others.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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.