James 2:2-3

James 2:2-3

[2] For  if  there come  unto  assembly  a man  with a gold ring,  in  goodly  apparel,  and  there come in  also  a poor man  in  vile  raiment;  [3] And  ye have respect  to  him that weareth  the gay  clothing,  and  say  Sit  thou  here  in a good place;  and  say  to the poor,  Stand  thou  there,  or  sit  here  under  footstool: 

What does James 2:2-3 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

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. [1] The term "synagogue" meant a public worship service in early Christian literature, but the following verses may suggest a judicial setting. This issue does not affect the meaning of the passage significantly.
". . . in its early days the Church was predominantly poor and humble; and therefore if a rich man was converted, and did come to the Christian fellowship, there must have been a very real temptation to make a fuss of him, and to treat him as a special trophy for Christ." [2]