• James 2:5
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 5 ᾿Ακούσατε, Hear YOU, ἀδελφοί brothers μου of me ἀγαπητοί. loved. οὐχ Not ὁ the θεὸς God ἐξελέξατο chose τοὺς the πτωχοὺς poor τῷ to the κόσμῳ world πλουσίους rich (ones) ἐν in πίστει faith καὶ and κληρονόμους heirs τῆς of the βασιλείας kingdom ἧς of which ἐπηγγείλατο he promised τοῖς to the (ones) ἀγαπῶσιν loving αὐτόν; him?

  • James 2:5
    The Bible in Living English

    • 5 Listen, my dear brothers: did not God choose those who are poor as to the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the royalty which he promised to those who love him?

  • James 2:5
    American Standard Version

    • 5 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?

  • James 2:5
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 5 Hearken! my brethren beloved:—Hath not God chosen the destitute in the world [To be] rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  • James 2:5
    King James Version

    • 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 Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 2:5

      my beloved brothers: See study notes on Jas 1:1, 16.

      Did not God choose those who are poor . . . ?: James does not imply that God excludes rich people from coming into a close relationship with him. (Le 19:15; compare Ac 16:14 and study note; 1Ti 6:17 and study note.) Rather, his statement reflects the reality that people who are materially poor seem to be more inclined to accept the message of the good news. (Mt 19:23, 24; 1Co 1:26-29) Poor people often suffer from the injustices of this world and thus are usually more “conscious of their spiritual need.” (Mt 5:3 and study note; Lu 6:20 and study note) In contrast, many of the rich rejected the teachings of Jesus, choosing instead to trust in material wealth.​—Mr 10:20-23; Lu 6:24, 25.

      to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom: Materially poor people who accepted the good news became “rich in faith.” Real faith is a precious gift that is a product of God’s holy spirit, and it “is not a possession of all people.” (2Th 3:2 and study note; Ga 5:22) The expression “rich in faith” implies having great, or abundant, faith. Spirit-anointed Christians who exercised such faith would be “heirs of the Kingdom,” that is, they would rule together with Christ in “his heavenly Kingdom.” (2Ti 4:18) Jehovah held out this priceless opportunity to all, regardless of their financial status.

      which he promised to those who love him: Compare study note on Jas 1:12.