James 2:3

2:3 do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, ¹  “You sit here in a good place,” ²  and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? ³ 

James 2:19

2:19 You believe that God is one; well and good. ⁴  Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear. ⁵ 

James 4:12

4:12 But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge – the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor? ⁶ 

James 2:18

2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” ⁷  Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by ⁸  my works.

[2:3]  ¹ tn 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.

[2:3]  ² tn Or “sit here, please.”

[2:3]  ³ tn 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).

[2:19]  ⁴ tn Grk “you do well.”

[2:19]  ⁵ tn Grk “believe and tremble.” The words “with fear” are implied.

[4:12]  ⁷ tn Grk “who judges your neighbor.”

[2:18]  ¹⁰ tn There is considerable doubt about where the words of the “someone” end and where James’ reply begins. Some see the quotation running to the end of v. 18; others to the end of v. 19. But most punctuate as shown above. The “someone” is then an objector, and the sense of his words is something like, “Some have faith; others have works; don’t expect everyone to have both.” James’ reply is that faith cannot exist or be seen without works.

[2:18]  ¹¹ tn Or “from.”