James 2:3

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothing and say, 'Here is a good seat for you,' but tell the poor man, 'You stand there,' or 'Sit here by my footstool,'

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Καὶ ἐπιβλέψητε ἐπὶ τὸν φοροῦντα τὴν ἐσθῆτα τὴν λαμπρὰν, καὶ εἴπητε αὐτῷ, Σὺ κάθου ὧδε καλῶς· καὶ τῷ πτωχῷ εἴπητε, Σὺ στῆθι ἐκεῖ, ἢ κάθου ὧδε ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου:

Transliteration

And epiblepsēte upon the phorounta the esthēta the lampran, and eipēte to him, You kathou here kalōs; and to the ptōchō eipēte, You stēthi there, or kathou here under the hypopodion of me:

Grammar Details

• Καὶ: conjunction - and
• *epiblepsēte*: aorist, active, subjunctive, 2nd person plural - you might look upon/pay attention to
• ἐπὶ: preposition + accusative - upon/at
• τὸν *phorounta*: accusative, masculine, singular, present participle - the one wearing
• τὴν *esthēta* τὴν *lampran*: accusative, feminine, singular - the fine garment
• *eipēte*: aorist, active, subjunctive, 2nd person plural - you might say
• αὐτῷ: dative, masculine, singular - to him
• Σὺ: nominative, second person, singular - you
• *kathou*: present, middle, imperative, 2nd person singular - sit
• ὧδε: adverb - here
• *kalōs*: adverb - well/in a good place
• τῷ *ptōchō*: dative, masculine, singular - to the poor man
• *stēthi*: aorist, active, imperative, 2nd person singular - stand
• ἐκεῖ: adverb - there
• ἢ: conjunction - or
• ὑπὸ: preposition + accusative - under
• τὸ *hypopodion*: accusative, neuter, singular - the footstool
• μου: genitive, first person, singular - of me/my

Word Meanings

• *epiblepsēte*: look upon/pay attention to/regard/show favor to
• *phorounta*: wearing/bearing/carrying
• *esthēta lampran*: fine clothing/splendid garment/bright apparel
• *eipēte*: say/speak/tell
• *kathou*: sit/be seated
• *kalōs*: well/honorably/in a good place
• *ptōchō*: poor person/beggar/destitute individual
• *stēthi*: stand/stand up
• *hypopodion*: footstool/place for feet

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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:

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  and you pay attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say to him, Sit here in a good place, and say to the poor, Stand there, or sit here under my footstool,

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  and{G2532} ye have regard{G1914} to{G1909} him that{G3588} weareth{G5409} the fine{G2986} clothing,{G2066} and{G2532} say,{G2036} {G846} Sit{G2521} thou{G4771} here{G5602} in a good place;{G2573} and{G2532} ye say{G2036} to the poor{G4434} man, Stand{G2476} thou{G4771} there,{G1563} or{G2228} sit{G2521} {G5602} under{G5259} my{G3450} footstool;{G5286}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And{G2532} ye have respect{G1914}{(G5661)} to{G1909} him that weareth{G5409}{(G5723)} the gay{G2986} clothing{G2066}, and{G2532} say{G2036}{(G5632)} unto him{G846}, Sit{G2521}{(G5737)} thou{G4771} here{G5602} in a good place{G2573}; and{G2532} say{G2036}{(G5632)} to the poor{G4434}, Stand{G2476}{(G5628)} thou{G4771} there{G1563}, or{G2228} sit{G2521}{(G5737)} here{G5602} under{G5259} my{G3450} footstool{G5286}:

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  and ye have a respecte to him that weareth the gaye clothynge and saye vnto him. Sit thou here in a good place: and saye vnto the poore stonde thou there or sit here vnder my fotestole:

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  & ye haue a respecte to him yt weareth the gaye clothinge & saye vnto hi: Sit thou here i a good place, & saye vnto ye poore, stonde thou there or sit here vnder my fote stole:

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And ye haue a respect to him that weareth the gaie clothing; and say vnto him, Sit thou here in a goodly place, and say vnto the poore, Stand thou there, or sit here vnder my footestoole,

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And ye haue a respect to hym that weareth the gay clothyng, and say vnto hym, sitte thou here in a good place: & say vnto the poore, stande thou there, or sitte here vnder my footestoole:

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;"

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  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,' --

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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;

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And you do honour to the man in fair clothing and say, Come here and take this good place; and you say to the poor man, Take up your position there, or be seated at my feet;

• World English Bible (2000)

  and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;"

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

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

Referenced Verses

• 2 Cor 8:9 : 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich.
• Luke 7:44-46 : 44 Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house, and you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume.
• Isa 65:5 : 5 They say, 'Keep away; do not come near me, for I am holier than you.' These are like smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
• Jas 2:6 : 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you and drag you into court?
• Jude 1:16 : 16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living according to their own desires. Their mouths speak arrogant words, flattering others for their own advantage.