James 2 · Verse 5

James 2:5

Hearken, 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?

James 2:5, King James Version

James 2:5 in other translations

BSB	Listen, 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?
WEB	Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
ASV	Hearken, 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?
YLT	Hearken, 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?
DARBY	Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?
BBE	Give 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?
Webster	Hearken, 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?

What does James 2:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

5. Hearken--James brings to trial the self-constituted "judges" (Jas 2:4). poor of this world--The best manuscripts read, "those poor in respect to the world." In contrast to "the rich in this world" (1Ti 6:17). Not of course all the poor; but the poor, as a class, furnish more believers than the rich as a class. The rich, if a believer, renounces riches as his portion; the poor, if an unbeliever, neglects that which is the peculiar advantage of poverty (Mt 5:3; 1Co 1:26, 27, 28). rich in faith--Their riches consist in faith. Lu 12:21, "rich toward God." 1Ti 6:18, "rich in good works" (Re 2:9; compare 2Co 8:9). Christ's poverty is the source of the believer's riches. kingdom ... promised--(Lu 12:32; 1Co 2:9; 2Ti 4:8).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 5. Hearken, my beloved brethren. The apostle now proceeds to show that the rich, as such, had no special claim on their favor, and that the poor in fact might be made more entitled to esteem than they were. For a view of the arguments by which he does this, compare the analysis of the chapter. (Jas 2:1)

Hath not God chosen the poor of this world? Those who are poor so far as this world is concerned, or those who have not wealth. This is the first argument the apostle suggests why the poor should not be treated with neglect. It is, that God has had special reference to them in choosing those who should be his children. The meaning is not that he is not as willing to save the rich as the poor, for he has no partiality; but that there are circumstances in the condition of the poor which make it more likely that they will embrace the offers of the gospel than the rich; and that in fact the great mass of believers is taken from those who are in comparatively humble life. 1Cor 1:26-28. The fact that God has chosen one to be an "heir of the kingdom" is as good a reason now why he should not be treated with neglect, as it was in the times of the apostles.

Rich in faith. Though poor in this world's goods, they are rich in a higher and more important sense. They have faith in God their Saviour; and in this world of trial and of sin, that is a more valuable possession than piles of hoarded silver or gold. A man who has that is sure that he will have all that is truly needful for him in this world and the next; a man who has it not, though he may have the wealth of Croesus, will be utterly without resources in respect to the great wants of his existence.

"Give what thou wilt, without thee we are poor; And with thee rich, take what thou wilt away."

Faith in God the Saviour will answer more purposes, and accomplish more valuable ends for man, than the wealth of the Indies could: and this the poor may have as well as the rich. Compare Rev 2:9.

And heirs of the kingdom, etc. Marg., that. Mt 5:3.

(a) "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world" 1Cor 1:26-28 (b) "rich in faith" Rev 2:9 (+) "the kingdom" or, "that kingdom" (c) "the kingdom which he hath promised" Mt 5:3; Lk 12:32; 22:29

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 5 Hath not God chosen the poor of this world - This seems to refer to Mat 11:5 : And the poor have the Gospel preached to them. These believed on the Lord Jesus, and found his salvation; while the rich despised, neglected, and persecuted him. These had that faith in Christ which put them in possession of the choicest spiritual blessings, and gave them a right to the kingdom of heaven. While, therefore, they were despised of men, they were highly prized of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 2:1-13

Chapter Outline All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. (1-13) The necessity of good works to prove the sincerity of faith, which otherwise will be of no more advantage than the faith of devils. (14-26) Verses 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 not agreeing…

Read the full comment on James 2:1-13 →

James 2:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀκούσατε,akousatedo listen,G191

ἀδελφοίadelphoibrothersG80

μουmouof mineG3165

ἀγαπητοί,agapētoibeloved,G27

οὐχouchNotG3756

ὁho<the>G3588

θεὸςtheosGodG2316

ἐξελέξατοexelexatohas chosenG1586

τοὺςtoustheG3588

πτωχοὺςptōchouspoorG4434

τῷtōin theG3588

κόσμῳkosmōworldG2889

πλουσίουςplousious[to be] richG4145

ἐνeninG1722

πίστειpisteifaithG4102

καὶkaiandG2532

κληρονόμουςklēronomousheirsG2818

τῆςtēsof theG3588

βασιλείαςbasileiaskingdomG932

ἧςhēsthatG3739

ἐπηγγείλατοepēngeilatoHe promisedG1861

τοῖςtoisto thoseG3588

ἀγαπῶσινagapōsinlovingG25

αὐτόν;autonHim?G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 2:5

Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 6:20
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Revelation 2:9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
1 Corinthians 1:26-28
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Luke 12:21
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Hebrews 11:26
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
1 Peter 1:4
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hearken.
Jud 9:7; 1Ki 22:28; Job 34:10; 38:14; Pr 7:24; 8:32; Mr 7:14; Ac 7:2
Hath not.
1:9; Isa 14:32; 29:19; Zep 3:12; Zec 11:7,11; Mt 11:5; Lu 6:20
Lu 9:57,58; 16:22,25; Joh 7:48; 1Co 1:26-28; 2Co 8:9
rich.
Pr 8:17-21; Lu 12:21; 1Co 3:21-23; 2Co 4:15; 6:10; Eph 1:18; 3:8
1Ti 6:18; Heb 11:26; Re 2:9; 3:18; 21:7
heirs.
Mt 5:3; 25:34; Lu 12:32; 22:29; Ro 8:17; 1Th 2:12; 2Th 1:5
2Ti 4:8,18; 1Pe 1:4; 2Pe 1:11
the. or, that which.
1:12; Ex 20:6; 1Sa 2:30; Pr 8:17; Mt 5:3; Lu 6:20; 12:32; 1Co 2:9
2Ti 4:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

James 2:4
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
James 2:5
Hearken, 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?
James 2:6
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Read all of James 2

James 2:5 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Hermanos míos amados, oid: ¿No ha elegido Dios los pobres de este mundo, ricos en fe, y herederos del reino que ha prometido á los que le aman?
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Écoutez, mes frères bien-aimés: Dieu n’a-t-il pas choisi les pauvres quant au monde, riches en foi et héritiers du royaume qu’il a promis à ceux qui l’aiment?
German Elberfelder 1871	Höret, meine geliebten Brüder: Hat nicht Gott die weltlich Armen auserwählt, reich zu sein im Glauben, und zu Erben des Reiches, welches er denen verheißen hat, die ihn lieben?
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Audite, fratres mei dilectissimi: nonne Deus elegit pauperes in hoc mundo, divites in fide, et hæredes regni, quod repromisit Deus diligentibus se?