Jam 2:2-4 | NETfull | STEP | For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes,

James 2:2-4

2 For if someone ^{▼▼ The word for “man” or “individual” here is ἀνήρ (anēr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, “equivalent to τὶς someone.”} comes into your assembly ^{▼▼ Grk “synagogue.” Usually συναγωγή refers to Jewish places of worship (e.g., Matt 4:23, Mark 1:21, Luke 4:15, John 6:59). The word can be used generally to refer to a place of assembly, and here it refers specifically to a Christian assembly (BDAG 963 s.v. 2.b.).} wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes, 3 do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, ^{▼▼ Grk “and you pay attention…and say,” continuing the “if” clauses from v. 2. In the Greek text, vv. 2–4 form one long sentence.} “You sit here in a good place,” ^{▼▼ Or “sit here, please.”} and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? ^{▼▼ Grk “sit under my footstool.” The words “on the floor” have been supplied in the translation to clarify for the modern reader the undesirability of this seating arrangement (so also TEV, NIV, CEV, NLT). Another option followed by a number of translations is to replace “under my footstool” with “at my feet” (NAB, NIV, NRSV).} 4 If so, have you not made distinctions ^{▼▼ Grk “have you not made distinctions” (as the conclusion to the series of “if” clauses in vv. 2–3).} among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? ^{▼▼ Grk “judges of evil reasonings.”}