James 2:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God has chosen the world's poor to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom.
What Does James 2:5 Mean?
James calls for full attention: Listen, beloved brethren. Then he overturns the world's scale entirely. Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom He promised to those who love Him? The very people the assembly slighted are the ones God has honored.
God's choosing runs opposite to human favoritism. He has often filled the materially poor with the truest riches and made them heirs of an everlasting kingdom. To despise the poor, then, is to despise those God has lifted up. The promise rests, as always, on love for Him rather than on possessions. The reader is shown that he has been honoring the wrong people and overlooking the heirs of glory standing among them.
Frequently Asked Questions About James 2:5
What does James 2:5 mean?
God has chosen the world's poor to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom.