The Just Condemned and Killed James 5:6

James continued his exhortations to the “rich men” who were among the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” as he told them they had “lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton” and they had “nourished” their “hearts, as in a day of slaughter”. In chapter five and verse six of his letter he accused the “rich men” of “condemning and killing the just” where we read:

You have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist you.

The verse begins, “You have condemned and killed the just;” James began with the words, “You have condemned” which means “to give judgment against or pronounce guilty” “and killed” or “slayed or murdered” “the just” which refers to “the righteous, virtuous and those who observe divine laws and commands of God”. James told his “rich” readers they had given judgment and murdered the “righteous and virtuous” who were among them.

The verse goes on to say, “and he does not resist you.” James continued, “and he does not resist you” which is the Greek phrase “antitassō ou antitassō” and means “range in battle against or oppose those who “condemned and killed the just”. Though it appeared these “rich men” were free to do as they pleased, there was to be a day of vengeance they would not be able to resist.

When we consider these words of James, we see the extent to which the “rich” among his readers believed themselves exempt from future judgment. They freely “judged and killed” people who were acting righteously, and because the Lord did not “oppose or battle against” them, they felt themselves free from charge. Jesus Christ will have His day of judgment for each person regardless of their “station” in life. Too often people of means believe themselves to be exempt from God's judgment, and their position of God's ignorance, apathy or approval will prove to be wrong. Let us allow the Lord Jesus through His Holy Spirit to convict our hearts concerning positioning ourselves superior to others, and should we find ourselves in this way, let us repent before we know the Lord's full “resistance”.

Next time James tells his readers to “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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