James 2:3, James 2:5 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 2:1-4

James 2:1-4. My brethren The equality of Christians intimated by this name is the ground of the admonition; have That is, hold; not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory Of which glory all who believe in him partake; with respect of persons So as to give undue preference to any on account of their external circumstances; honour none merely for being rich, despise none merely for being poor. Remember that the relation in which the meanest of your fellow-Christians... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 2:1-13

Favouritism destroys love (2:1-13)Standards of judgment in the church are not the same as those in the society round about. People ought not to be given important places in the church merely because they have important places in the society. Likewise poor people should not be ignored (2:1-4). God welcomes people into his kingdom regardless of wealth or social position, and gives his riches to them equally. James notes how strange it is that the Christians should show special favour to the rich,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 2:3

have respect . App-133 . unto = to. in a good place . Literally well. Greek. kalos. under . App-104 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 2:3

and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool;A number of totally false assumptions on the part of Christians acting in such a manner are discernible in this situation condemned by James. By such conduct, the perpetrators of this injustice revealed that they considered fine clothing a mark of good character and shabby clothes a mark of bad character. It showed that they... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:3

3. have respect to him, c.—though ye know not who he is, when perhaps he may be a heathen. It was the office of the deacons to direct to a seat the members of the congregation [CLEMENT OF ROME, Apostolical Constitutions, 2.57, 58]. unto him—not in the best manuscripts. Thus "thou" becomes more demonstratively emphatic. there—at a distance from where the good seats are. here—near the speaker. under my footstool—not literally so but on the ground, down by my footstool. The poor man must either... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:1-13

A. The Problem of Favoritism 2:1-13James’ previous reference to hypocritical religiosity (James 1:26-27) seems to have led him to deal with one form of this problem that existed among Christian Jews of his day. It is still with us today. It is the problem of inconsistent love for other people that manifests itself in how we treat them. James wrote this chapter to exhort his readers to deal with this very basic inconsistency in their lives and so progress toward spiritual maturity."The... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:2-3

"Assembly" is literally "synagogue." In the early history of the church Jewish believers met in Jewish synagogues until their unbelieving Jewish brethren forced them out. This reference suggests that James probably wrote this epistle early in the history of the church.There is some debate among the commentators about whether a public worship service or a congregational meeting for the purpose of hearing a judicial case is in view. [Note: Adamson, p. 105, argued for the first option and Martin,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:2-4

2. The present improper practice 2:2-4The situation James described in James 2:2-3 presents what some have called "the case of the nearsighted usher." Some interpreters believe this was a hypothetical situation that James constructed. [Note: E.g., Davids, p. 107.] Others believe it was a real situation that he knew about. [Note: E.g., Martin, pp. 60, 63.] There is no way of knowing now, and whether the situation was hypothetical or real is insignificant. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-26

Warnings Against Respect of Persons. Belief and Practice1. Another instance of inconsistency. Jesus Christ the Lord of glory] better, ’Jesus Christ the glory,’ or ’the glorious one,’ One of the rare passages in which St. James breaks through his habitual reserve in speaking of the Master, and shows us something of his devotion to Christ. Such reserve was natural to a Jew. 2. In the Jewish-Christian Church the place for worship is still the synagogue (Hebrews 10:25). At first strangers would be... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:3

(3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing (or, bright apparel).—Look on him, that is, because of his fine appearance, with undue respect and consideration.And say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place (or, as margin, well); and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool.—The sidesman or elder in charge of the church finds a stall for the person of substantial presence, while anything does for the poor one; but—most considerate offer—he can stand; or,... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 2:1-4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 2:1-13

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 2:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 2:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:1-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:2-3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:2-4

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-26

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:3

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