James 2:6

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 Acts 10:38 τοὺς καταδυναστευομένους ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου, the only other passage where the word occurs in N.T., but comp. κατακυριεύειν, Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; Acts 19:16; 1 Peter 5:3, and κατεξουσιάζειν, Matthew 20:25; Mark 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 Psalms 140:12-13. See also Cheyne on Isaiah 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, Acts 21:30. Comp. also Acts 9:1 ὅπως ἐάν τινας εὔρῃ τῆς ὁδοῦ ὄντας, ἄνδρας τε καὶ γυναῖκας, δεδεμένους�.

εἰς κριτήρια. See 1 Corinthians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 6:4; also Matthew 10:17; Acts 9:2; Acts 26:11. These were not heathen tribunals but Jewish courts which were recognised and permitted under the Roman government.