James 2:6

Good morning everyone! What another lovely day to be alive and proclaim "I am a child of God!" God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Our Father in heaven owns everything, all we have is His, do we give him praise?

James 2:6 "But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?"
Despised (Gr atimazo) involves not only attitudes but shameful treatment, as when Jesus was "dishonored" by the Jewish leaders.
Oppress refers to the arrogant flaunting of governmental authority over Christians, as tyrants over helpless peasants.

James has Jewish officials in mind when he says they "draw you before the judgment seats" (Gr kriteria) where Saul traveled to Damascus with officials letters to arrest Christians, testifies to the authority which Rome handed over to the Jews. The judgment seat speaks of the local court.

So, what does this say to you? Are you of the rich, arrogant, or of the poor who hold God in highest esteem.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny