The Meaning of James 2:6 Explained

James 2:6

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

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

Darby: But ye have despised the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do not they drag you before the tribunals?

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does James 2:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

When a Christian dishonors the poor, he or she treats them exactly opposite to the way God treats them (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:22; 1 Peter 2:17). Instead of favoring Christians, James reminded his readers that the characteristic response of the rich to them had been to oppress them (cf. Mark 13:9; Acts 4:1-3; Acts 13:50; Acts 16:19; Acts 19:23-41). How inconsistent it is to despise one"s friends and honor one"s foes! The oppression in view could have been physical and or legal.

Context Summary

James 2:1-13 - Avoid Servility To The Rich
This sin of making distinctions in God's house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the divine Spirit departs. God's love is impartial, so far as outward appearances might affect it; and in His Church the only real differences must be those of humility, purity and righteousness.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," whether they be rich in this world's goods or not. But it is easier for a poor man to be rich in faith and an heir of the Kingdom, because he can give more of his attention to the things of the Spirit.
The law of love must be supreme with us; and we must love our fellows, whatever their position or property, as ourselves, for Christ's sake. If we fail in this, we show that we have never entered into the heart of the Christian faith. A man may observe all the laws of health; but if he inhale one whiff of poison he may die; so we may be outwardly obedient to the entire Decalogue, but delinquency in love will invalidate everything. [source]

Chapter Summary: James 2

1  Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13  rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14  and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17  because faith without deeds is useless;
19  as is the faith of the demons;
21  however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25  as did Rahab

Greek Commentary for James 2:6

But ye have dishonoured the poor man [υμεις δε ητιμασατε τον πτωχον]
First aorist active indicative of ατιμαζω — atimazō old verb from ατιμος — atimos dishonoured (Matthew 13:57). In the act of partiality pictured in James 2:3. [source]
Oppress you [καταδυναστευουσιν υμων]
Not very common compound Examples in papyri of harsh treatment by men in authority. Already poor Christians are feeling pressure from rich Jews as overlords.Drag you (ελκουσιν υμας — helkousin humas). Old and vigorous word for violent treatment, as of Paul in Acts 16:19; Acts 21:30. Cf. such violence in Luke 12:58; Acts 8:3.Before the judgment-seats “To courts of justice” as in 1 Corinthians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 6:4 (only other N.T. examples). Common in the papyri in this sense. From κρινω — krinō to judge, κριτης — kritēs (judge), place where judgment is given. [source]
Drag you [ελκουσιν υμας]
Old and vigorous word for violent treatment, as of Paul in Acts 16:19; Acts 21:30. Cf. such violence in Luke 12:58; Acts 8:3. [source]
Before the judgment-seats [εις κριτηρια]
“To courts of justice” as in 1 Corinthians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 6:4 (only other N.T. examples). Common in the papyri in this sense. From κρινω — krinō to judge, κριτης — kritēs (judge), place where judgment is given. [source]
Despised [ἠτιμάσατε]
Not strong enough. They had manifested their contempt; had done despite to them. Rev., correctly, dishonored. From the use of the aorist tense, ye dishonored, which the A. V. and Rev. render as a perfect, ye have dishonored, the reference would appear to be to a specific act like that described in James 2:2, James 2:3. [source]
Oppress [καταδυναστεύουσιν]
Only here and Acts 10:38. The preposition κατά , against, implies a power exercised for harm. Compare being lords over, 1 Peter 5:3, and exercise dominion, Matthew 20:25, both compounded with this preposition. [source]
Draw [ἕλκουσιν]
Not strong enough. The word implies violence. Hence, better, as Rev., drag. Compare Livy's phrase, “a lictoribus trahi, to be dragged by the lictors to judgment;” Acts 8:3, of Saul haling or hauling men and women to prison; and Luke 12:58. [source]
Judgment-seats [κριτήρια]
Only here and 1 Corinthians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 6:4. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 2:6

Acts 10:38 Oppressed [καταδυναστευομένους]
Only here and James 2:6, on which see note. [source]
Acts 10:38 God anointed him [εχρισεν αυτον ο τεος]
First aorist active of the verb διηλτεν ευεργετων — chriō to anoint, from which the verbal διερεομαι — Christos is formed (Acts 2:36). The precise event referred to by Peter could be the Incarnation (Luke 1:35.), the Baptism (Luke 3:22), the Ministry at Nazareth (Luke 4:14). Why not to the life and work of Jesus as a whole? Went about doing good (δια — diēlthen euergetōn). Beautiful description of Jesus. Summary (constative) aorist active of ευεργετων — dierehomai to go through (ευεργετεω — dia) or from place to place. The present active participle ευ — euergetōn is from the old verb εργον — euergeteō (ευεργετης — eu well, και ιωμενος — ergon work) and occurs only here in the N.T. The substantive τους καταδυναστευομενους — euergetēs (benefactor) was often applied to kings like Ptolemy Euergetes and that is the sense in Luke 22:25 the only N.T. example. But the term applies to Jesus far more than to Ptolemy or any earthly king (Cornelius a Lapide). And healing And in particular healing. Luke does not exclude other diseases (cf. Luke 13:11, Luke 13:16), but he lays special emphasis on demoniacal possession (cf. Mark 1:23). That were oppressed (κατα — tous katadunasteuomenous). Present passive articular participle of διαβολος — katadunasteuō A late verb in lxx and papyri. In the N.T. only here and James 2:6 (best MSS.). One of the compounds of οτι ο τεος ην μετ αυτου — kata made transitive. The reality of the devil (the slanderer, diabolos) is recognized by Peter. For God was with him Surely this reason does not reveal “a low Christology” as some charge. Peter had used the same language in Acts 7:9 and earlier in Luke 1:28, Luke 1:66 as Nicodemus does in John 3:2. [source]
Acts 10:38 And healing [καταδυναστευω]
And in particular healing. Luke does not exclude other diseases (cf. Luke 13:11, Luke 13:16), but he lays special emphasis on demoniacal possession (cf. Mark 1:23). That were oppressed (κατα — tous katadunasteuomenous). Present passive articular participle of διαβολος — katadunasteuō A late verb in lxx and papyri. In the N.T. only here and James 2:6 (best MSS.). One of the compounds of οτι ο τεος ην μετ αυτου — kata made transitive. The reality of the devil (the slanderer, diabolos) is recognized by Peter. For God was with him Surely this reason does not reveal “a low Christology” as some charge. Peter had used the same language in Acts 7:9 and earlier in Luke 1:28, Luke 1:66 as Nicodemus does in John 3:2. [source]
Acts 10:38 That were oppressed [κατα]
Present passive articular participle of διαβολος — katadunasteuō A late verb in lxx and papyri. In the N.T. only here and James 2:6 (best MSS.). One of the compounds of οτι ο τεος ην μετ αυτου — kata made transitive. The reality of the devil (the slanderer, diabolos) is recognized by Peter. [source]
Acts 16:19 Laid hold on [επιλαβομενοι]
Second aorist middle participle of επιλαμβανω — epilambanō as in Acts 9:27; Acts 17:19, but here with hostile intent. Dragged (ειλκυσαν — heilkusan). First aorist active indicative of ελκυω — helkuō late form of the old verb ελκω — helkō (also in James 2:6) to draw as a sword, and then to drag one forcibly as here and Acts 21:30. It is also used of spiritual drawing as by Jesus in John 12:32. Here it is by violence. Into the marketplace Into the Roman forum near which would be the courts of law as in our courthouse square, as in Acts 17:17. Marketing went on also (Mark 7:4), when the crowds collect (Mark 6:56), from αγειρω — ageirō to collect or gather. Unto the rulers (επι τους αρχοντας — epi tous archontas). General Greek term for “the magistrates.” [source]
Acts 16:19 Dragged [ειλκυσαν]
First aorist active indicative of ελκυω — helkuō late form of the old verb ελκω — helkō (also in James 2:6) to draw as a sword, and then to drag one forcibly as here and Acts 21:30. It is also used of spiritual drawing as by Jesus in John 12:32. Here it is by violence. [source]
1 Corinthians 6:2 Matters [κριτηρίων]
The word means, 1, The instrument or rule of judging; 2, the tribunal of a judge. It occurs only here, 1 Corinthians 6:4, and James 2:6, where it means judgment-seats. This latter gives a good sense here without having recourse to the meaning suit or case, which lacks warrant. So Rev., in margin, “are ye unworthy of the smallest tribunals? ” That is, are ye unworthy of holding or passing judgment in such inferior courts? [source]
James 5:1 Come now, ye rich [αγε νυν οι πλουσιοι]
Exclamatory interjection as in James 4:13. Direct address to the rich as a class as in 1 Timothy 6:17. Apparently here James has in mind the rich as a class, whether believer, as in James 1:10., or unbeliever, as in James 2:1., James 2:6. The plea here is not directly for reform, but a warning of certain judgment (James 5:1-6) and for Christians “a certain grim comfort in the hardships of poverty” (Ropes) in James 5:7-11. [source]
Revelation 2:9 Rich []
In faith and grace. Compare James 2:6, James 2:7; 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Timothy 6:18; Luke 12:21; Matthew 19:21. [source]

What do the individual words in James 2:6 mean?

You however have dishonored the poor Not the rich are oppressing you and they dragging you into court
ὑμεῖς δὲ ἠτιμάσατε τὸν πτωχόν οὐχ οἱ πλούσιοι καταδυναστεύουσιν ὑμῶν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἕλκουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς κριτήρια

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἠτιμάσατε  have  dishonored 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀτιμάζω 
Sense: to dishonour, insult, treat with contempt.
πτωχόν  poor 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πτωχός  
Sense: reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms.
πλούσιοι  rich 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πλούσιος  
Sense: wealthy, abounding in material resources.
καταδυναστεύουσιν  are  oppressing 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: καταδυναστεύω  
Sense: to exercise harsh control over one, to use one’s power against one.
ἕλκουσιν  dragging 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑλκύω  
Sense: to draw, drag off.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
κριτήρια  court 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: κριτήριον  
Sense: the instrument or means of trying or judging anything.