The Meaning of James 2:3 Explained

James 2:3

KJV: And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

YLT: and ye may look upon him bearing the gay raiment, and may say to him, 'Thou -- sit thou here well,' and to the poor man may say, 'Thou -- stand thou there, or, Sit thou here under my footstool,' --

Darby: and ye look upon him who wears the splendid apparel, and say, Do thou sit here well, and say to the poor, Do thou stand there, or sit here under my footstool:

ASV: 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;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  ye have respect  to  him that weareth  the gay  clothing,  and  say  unto him,  Sit  thou  here  in a good place;  and  say  to the poor,  Stand  thou  there,  or  sit  here  under  my  footstool: 

What does James 2:3 Mean?

Context Summary

James 2:1-13 - Avoid Servility To The Rich
This sin of making distinctions in God's house is as rife today as ever; and wherever it is practiced the divine Spirit departs. God's love is impartial, so far as outward appearances might affect it; and in His Church the only real differences must be those of humility, purity and righteousness.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," whether they be rich in this world's goods or not. But it is easier for a poor man to be rich in faith and an heir of the Kingdom, because he can give more of his attention to the things of the Spirit.
The law of love must be supreme with us; and we must love our fellows, whatever their position or property, as ourselves, for Christ's sake. If we fail in this, we show that we have never entered into the heart of the Christian faith. A man may observe all the laws of health; but if he inhale one whiff of poison he may die; so we may be outwardly obedient to the entire Decalogue, but delinquency in love will invalidate everything. [source]

Chapter Summary: James 2

1  Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13  rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14  and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17  because faith without deeds is useless;
19  as is the faith of the demons;
21  however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25  as did Rahab

Greek Commentary for James 2:3

And ye have regard to [επιβλεπσητε δε επι]
First aorist active subjunctive (still with εαν — ean of James 2:2) of επιβλεπω — epiblepō followed by repeated preposition επι — epi to gaze upon, old compound, in N.T. only here and Luke 1:48; Luke 9:38. [source]
Weareth [πορουντα]
“Wearing,” present active participle of the old frequentative verb πορεω — phoreō (from περω — pherō), to bear constantly, to wear (Matthew 11:8). Note repeated article την — tēn (the) with εστητα — esthēta pointing to James 2:2.And say (και ειπητε — kai eipēte). Continuing the third-class condition with εαν — ean and second aorist active subjunctive of ειπον — eipon thou here in a good place (συ κατου ωδε καλως — su kathou hōde kalōs). Emphatic position of συ — su “Do thou sit here in a good place.” Present middle imperative of κατημαι — kathēmai to sit for the literary κατησο — kathēso See Matthew 23:6 for the first seats in the synagogue (places of honour).And ye say to the poor man Third class condition with εαν — ean continued as before Note article τωι — tōi pointing to James 2:2.Stand thou there (συ στητι εκει — su stēthi ekei). Second aorist (intransitive) active imperative of ιστημι — histēmi to place. Ingressive aorist, Take a stand. Συ — Su emphatic again. The MSS. vary in the position of εκει — ekei (there).Or sit under my footstool For this use of υπο — hupo “down against” or “down beside” see Exodus 19:17 υπο το ορος — hupo to oros (“at the foot of the mountain”) and υπο σε — hupo se (“at thy feet”) (Deuteronomy 33:3). Conquerors often placed their feet on the necks of the victims (Luke 20:43). [source]
And say [και ειπητε]
Continuing the third-class condition with εαν — ean and second aorist active subjunctive of ειπον — eipon thou here in a good place Emphatic position of συ — su “Do thou sit here in a good place.” Present middle imperative of κατημαι — kathēmai to sit for the literary κατησο — kathēso See Matthew 23:6 for the first seats in the synagogue (places of honour). [source]
And ye say to the poor man [και τωι πτωχωι ειπητε]
Third class condition with εαν — ean continued as before Note article τωι — tōi pointing to James 2:2.Stand thou there (συ στητι εκει — su stēthi ekei). Second aorist (intransitive) active imperative of ιστημι — histēmi to place. Ingressive aorist, Take a stand. Συ — Su emphatic again. The MSS. vary in the position of εκει — ekei (there).Or sit under my footstool For this use of υπο — hupo “down against” or “down beside” see Exodus 19:17 υπο το ορος — hupo to oros (“at the foot of the mountain”) and υπο σε — hupo se (“at thy feet”) (Deuteronomy 33:3). Conquerors often placed their feet on the necks of the victims (Luke 20:43). [source]
Stand thou there [συ στητι εκει]
Second aorist (intransitive) active imperative of ιστημι — histēmi to place. Ingressive aorist, Take a stand. Συ — Su emphatic again. The MSS. vary in the position of εκει — ekei (there). [source]
Or sit under my footstool [η κατου υπο το υποποδιον μου]
For this use of υπο — hupo “down against” or “down beside” see Exodus 19:17 υπο το ορος — hupo to oros (“at the foot of the mountain”) and υπο σε — hupo se (“at thy feet”) (Deuteronomy 33:3). Conquerors often placed their feet on the necks of the victims (Luke 20:43). [source]
Ye have respect [ἐπιβλέψητε]
Lit., ye look upon, with the idea of respectful consideration; ye regard. Compare Luke 1:48; Luke 9:38. [source]
In a good place [καλῶς]
Lit., honorably; in a seat of honor. [source]
Under []
Not literally underneath, but down on the ground beside. Compare Matthew 23:6, on the fondness of the Jews for the chief places in the synagogue. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 2:3

Luke 9:38 Lord [κυριε]
Aorist active infinitive of επιβλεπω — epiblepō (επι — epi upon, βλεπω — blepō look), common verb, but in the N.T. only here and James 2:3 except Luke 1:48 in quotation from lxx. This compound verb is common in medical writers for examining carefully the patient.Mine only child Only in Luke as already about an only child in Luke 7:12; Luke 8:42. [source]
Luke 9:38 To look upon [επιβλεπσαι]
Aorist active infinitive of επιβλεπω — epiblepō (επι — epi upon, βλεπω — blepō look), common verb, but in the N.T. only here and James 2:3 except Luke 1:48 in quotation from lxx. This compound verb is common in medical writers for examining carefully the patient. [source]
Hebrews 1:13 Hath he said [ειρηκεν]
Perfect active common use of the perfect for permanent record. This seventh quotation is proof of the Son‘s superiority as the Son of God (his deity) to angels and is from Psalm 110:1, a Messianic Psalm frequently quoted in Hebrews. Sit thou Second person singular imperative middle of κατημαι — kathēmai to sit, for the longer form κατησο — kathēso as in Matthew 22:44; James 2:3. On my right hand “From my right.” See Hebrews 1:3 for εν δεχιαι — en dexiāi “at the right hand.” Till I make Indefinite temporal clause about the future with εως — heōs and the second aorist active subjunctive of τιτημι — tithēmi with αν — an (often not used), a regular and common idiom. Quoted also in Luke 20:43. For the pleonasm in υποδιον — hupodion and των ποδων — tōn podōn (objective genitive) see Matthew 5:35. [source]
James 2:6 Despised [ἠτιμάσατε]
Not strong enough. They had manifested their contempt; had done despite to them. Rev., correctly, dishonored. From the use of the aorist tense, ye dishonored, which the A. V. and Rev. render as a perfect, ye have dishonored, the reference would appear to be to a specific act like that described in James 2:2, James 2:3. [source]
James 2:6 But ye have dishonoured the poor man [υμεις δε ητιμασατε τον πτωχον]
First aorist active indicative of ατιμαζω — atimazō old verb from ατιμος — atimos dishonoured (Matthew 13:57). In the act of partiality pictured in James 2:3. [source]
James 2:8 If ye fulfil [ει τελειτε]
Condition of first class, assumed as true with ει — ei and present active indicative of τελεω — teleō old verb, to bring to completion, occurring in Romans 2:27 also with νομος — nomos (law). Jesus used πληροω — plēroō in Matthew 4:17. James has τηρεω — tēreō in James 2:10.The royal law (νομον βασιλικον — nomon basilikon). Old adjective for royal, regal (from βασιλευς — basileus king), as of an officer (John 4:46). But why applied to νομος — nomos The Romans had a phrase, lex regia, which came from the king when they had kings. The absence of the article is common with νομος — nomos (James 4:11). It can mean a law fit to guide a king, or such as a king would choose, or even the king of laws. Jesus had said that on the law of love hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40), and he had given the Golden Rule as the substance of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). This is probably the royal law which is violated by partiality (James 2:3). It is in accord with the Scripture quoted here (Leviticus 19:18) and ratified by Jesus (Luke 10:28). [source]
James 2:8 The royal law [νομον βασιλικον]
Old adjective for royal, regal (from βασιλευς — basileus king), as of an officer (John 4:46). But why applied to νομος — nomos The Romans had a phrase, lex regia, which came from the king when they had kings. The absence of the article is common with νομος — nomos (James 4:11). It can mean a law fit to guide a king, or such as a king would choose, or even the king of laws. Jesus had said that on the law of love hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40), and he had given the Golden Rule as the substance of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). This is probably the royal law which is violated by partiality (James 2:3). It is in accord with the Scripture quoted here (Leviticus 19:18) and ratified by Jesus (Luke 10:28). [source]

What do the individual words in James 2:3 mean?

you should look also upon the [one] wearing the apparel - splendid and should say You sit you here honorably to the poor stand there or Sit under the footstool of me
ἐπιβλέψητε δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν φοροῦντα τὴν ἐσθῆτα τὴν λαμπρὰν καὶ εἴπητε Σὺ κάθου ὧδε καλῶς τῷ πτωχῷ στῆθι ἐκεῖ Κάθου» ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου

ἐπιβλέψητε  you  should  look 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐπιβλέπω  
Sense: to turn the eyes upon, to look upon, gaze upon.
δὲ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
τὸν  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
φοροῦντα  wearing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: φορέω  
Sense: to bear constantly, wear.
ἐσθῆτα  apparel 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐσθής  
Sense: clothing, raiment, apparel.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λαμπρὰν  splendid 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: λαμπρός  
Sense: shining.
εἴπητε  should  say 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
κάθου  sit  you 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κάθημαι  
Sense: to sit down, seat one’s self.
ὧδε  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὧδε  
Sense: here, to this place, etc.
καλῶς  honorably 
Parse: Adverb
Root: καλῶς  
Sense: beautifully, finely, excellently, well.
τῷ  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πτωχῷ  poor 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: πτωχός  
Sense: reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms.
στῆθι  stand 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἵστημι  
Sense: to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set.
Κάθου»  Sit 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κάθημαι  
Sense: to sit down, seat one’s self.
ὑπὸ  under 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπό  
Sense: by, under.
ὑποπόδιόν  footstool 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑποπόδιον  
Sense: a footstool.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.

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