James 2:2

2:2 For if someone ¹  comes into your assembly ²  wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes,

James 2:6

2:6 But you have dishonored the poor! ³  Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?

James 4:3

4:3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.

James 4:9

4:9 Grieve, mourn, ⁴  and weep. Turn your laughter ⁵  into mourning and your joy into despair.

James 5:1

Warning to the Rich

5:1 Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud ⁶  over the miseries that are coming on you.

James 5:5

5:5 You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁷ 

James 5:8

5:8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.

¹ tn The word for “man” or “individual” here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, “equivalent to τὶς someone.”

² tn 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.).

³ tn This is singular: “the poor person,” perhaps referring to the hypothetical one described in vv. 2-3.

⁵ tn This term and the following one are preceded by καί (kai) in the Greek text, but contemporary English generally uses connectives only between the last two items in such a series.

⁶ tn Grk “let your laughter be turned.”

⁷ tn Or “wail”; Grk “crying aloud.”

⁹ sn James’ point seems to be that instead of seeking deliverance from condemnation, they have defied God’s law (fattened your hearts) and made themselves more likely objects of his judgment (in a day of slaughter).