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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - James 2:6 - 2:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
6. ἠτιμάσατε. The aorist points to the particular instance cited by the Apostle. You dishonoured the poor man—deprived him of his due τιμή or rank and dignity in the kingdom of heaven. The more technical term in this sense is ἀτιμόω.
οὐχ οἱ πλούσιοι κ.τ.λ. Not only did you degrade those whom Christ honoured, but you honoured those who have shewn themselves unworthy.
καταδυναστεύουσιν ὑμῶν, lord it over you, oppress you. See Act 10:38 τοὺς καταδυναστευομένους ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου, the only other passage where the word occurs in N.T., but comp. κατακυριεύειν, Mat 20:25, Mar 10:42, Act 19:16, 1Pe 5:3, and κατεξουσιάζειν, Mat 20:25, Mar 10:42.
The oppression of the poor by the unprincipled rich was an inveterate evil among the Israelites denounced from first to last by the Prophets. The widening breach between the Jews and Christians tended to deepen this hostility. See Psalms 10, 11 and Psa 140:12-13. See also Cheyne on Isa 53:9.
αὐτοί, with its proper sense of contrast, ‘they on their part’ in contrast with you who place them in the best seats of the synagogue.
ἕλκουσιν, drag with violence. εἷλκον αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἱεροῦ, Act 21:30. Comp. also Act 9:1 ὅπως ἐάν τινας εὔρῃ τῆς ὁδοῦ ὄντας, ἄνδρας τε καὶ γυναῖκας, δεδεμένους ἀγάγῃ εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ.
εἰς κριτήρια. See 1Co 6:2; 1Co 6:4; also Mat 10:17, Act 9:2; Act 26:11. These were not heathen tribunals but Jewish courts which were recognised and permitted under the Roman government.