Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
I see two audiences in the chapter.
The rich men
Vs 1-6
Whether they sit in the congregation or not, this is a scathing blast against them. Certainly, our world is filled with people just like this. Unfortunately, some of them find their way into churches and, though professing faith, have little change of character.
“My brethren”
Vs 7, 9, 10
Whether the writer is contrasting the two is worthy of consideration. Could it be within the same congregation there are those who are brethren and those who are just “rich men?” If so, this might be viewed as intending to cut those rich men to the quick. No doubt verses 1-6 mean to do that.
But then there is verse nine.
Grudge not one against the other
I can see it could be understood that the brethren must not hold ought[1] between each other because they need to support themselves against the rich men. Or else it could be understood to mean that the brethren and the rich men ought[2] not to hold grudges against each other.
· The brethren have something far superior to riches
· The rich men have no reason to grudge the brethren
The fact is we all will stand before God and give an account. There is no reason to hold a grudge against another, but every reason to draw near to God.
#RichMen #CongregationCritique #BrothersInFaith #Accountability #NoGrudges #ecclesiology
The Judge is at the Door: Brotherhood over Riches
[1] This is an archaic Biblical use of the term meaning “anything.” Mark 11:25 (KJV)
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
[2] Used in this case to meaning duty or correctness; the right thing to do.
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