Transgressors of the Law

  2.      COMPASSION FOR ALL (2:5–9)

2:5–7. With the plea, Listen, my dear brothers, James went on to explain why their preferential judgment was wrong. He made his point through four questions, each of which anticipated an affirmative answer. First, Has not God chosen those who appear poor materially, but are rich spiritually, to inherit His promised kingdom? (cf. 1:9) Second, Are not the rich the ones who are consistently guilty of oppression, extortion, and slander (blasphēmousin, 2:7, lit., “blasphemy”). Third, Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Fourth, Are they not the ones who slander Jesus’ noble name? Believers belong to Him, not to the rich exploiters. James’ readers would have to agree with these contentions, and to recognize that insulting the poor and favoring the rich was wrong and totally unreasonable.

Blue, J. Ronald. “James.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 824. Print.