James Chapter 2 verse 2 Holy Bible
For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;
read chapter 2 in ASV
For if a man comes into your Synagogue in fair clothing and with a gold ring, and a poor man comes in with dirty clothing,
read chapter 2 in BBE
for if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring in splendid apparel, and a poor man also come in in vile apparel,
read chapter 2 in DARBY
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
read chapter 2 in KJV
read chapter 2 in WBT
For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your assembly, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;
read chapter 2 in WEB
for if there may come into your synagogue a man with gold ring, in gay raiment, and there may come in also a poor man in vile raiment,
read chapter 2 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 2-4. - Proof that they were guilty of respect of persons. Observe the insight which this passage gives us into the cha-racier of the assemblies of the early Christians, showing (1) that the entrance of a rich man was not entirely unknown, but (2) that it was probably exceptional, because so much was made of him. Notice (3) συναγωγή used here, and here only in the New Testament, of a Christian assembly for worship (cf. Ignatius, 'Ad Polye.,' c. 4, Πυκνότερον συναγωγαὶ γινέσθωσαν). (On the distinction between συναγωγὴ and ἔκκλησία, and the history of the terms and their use, see an interesting section in Trench's ' Synonyms,' p. 1.) Verse 2. - A man with a gold ring (ἀνὴρ χρυσοδακτύλιος). The word is found here only. The English Versions (both A.V. and R.V.) needlessly limit its meaning. The man was probably bedecked with a number of rings, and had not one only. In goodly apparel. The same phrase is rendering "gay clothing" in ver. 3. The variation is quite unnecessary, the Greek being identical in both places, and rightly rendered by R.V. "fine clothing." It is curious to find a similar needless variation in the Vulgate, which has in veste candida in ver. 2, and veste proeclara in ver. 3.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) For if there come unto your assembly (literally, synagogue).--This is the only place in the New Testament where the Jewish word is used for a Christian congregation.A man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel.--Better, a man golden-ringed, in bright apparel. Roman satirists had much to say upon the fops and dandies of their time, with "all their fingers laden with rings"; some, if we may trust the sneer of Martial, having six on each; and others with heavy gold or light, according to the oppressiveness of the season; no doubt, the fashions set in Rome extended to Jerusalem. "Goodly apparel" is, rather, gorgeous--splendid in colour or ornament; the same two words are translated "gay clothing" in the following verse.And there come in also a poor man in vile raiment.--Squalid, even dirty, as from work and wear--the exact opposite of the idle over-dressed exquisite.
