2:13a

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why we should speak and act as it says in 2:12. We should speak and act mercifully (2:12a) because God will judge us without mercy if we are not merciful to others (2:13a).

judgment without mercy will be shown: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judgment without mercy will be shown is literally “the merciless judgment.” There is no verb in Greek here, so most languages will have to supply a verb. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the words will be shown to make the Greek phrase a natural English clause.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

• Use the verb “is” in the present or future. For example:

judgment is merciless (NET Bible)
-or-
judgment will be without mercy (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
on the day of judgment there will be no pity (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a verb that goes with “mercy” or “judgment.” For example:

God will not show mercy when he judges (Good News Translation)
-or-
God will render judgment without mercy

• Translate judgment as a verb. For example:

God will judge without mercy

judgment: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judgment is literally “the judgment.” It refers back to the fact that God will judge people (2:12).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God will judge you
-or-
God will decide if you are righteous or guilty

without mercy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as without mercy refers to God’s choosing to withhold mercy. When God evaluates and decides if a person is righteous or not, he will not show mercy when deciding.

The word mercy means to show kindness toward people who are in need. Here it specifically means kindness beyond what a person deserves.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

there will be no pity (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
without kindness
-or-
will not use grace (when he judges)

to anyone who has not been merciful: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to anyone who has not been merciful is literally “to the one who has not done mercy.” Here “mercy” refers to kindness shown to those who are suffering or in need, such as the poor believers mentioned in 2:1–6.

James was referring to an entire group of people. So in many languages, it may be more natural to translate this phrase in the plural. For example:

those who have not shown mercy to others.

merciful: Here the word merciful refers to the kindness that people show to their fellow human beings who are suffering or in need. Merciful people show this kindness whether or not their fellow human beings have offended them.

Here the sense of mercy is slightly different than the same word in the phrase “judgment without mercy.” There “mercy” refers to kindness that God shows to people who have offended him and deserve judgment/punishment.

What is common to both senses is the idea of being kind to people in need. If possible, you should try to use the same word or expression both times. If your language would normally use different words or expressions for these two senses, try to see if you can translate this in a way to show the connection between the two words. For example:

At the time of judgment, God will not be kind to those who have not been kind to others who are in need.

General Comment on 2:12a–13a

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the reason in 2:13a before the result in 2:12a. For example:

^13aJudgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. ^12aSo speak and act as those who are going to be judged ^12bby the law that gives freedom.

2:13b

There is a contrast between 2:13a and 2:13b. The contrast is between judgment without mercy (2:13a) and mercy triumphing over judgment (2:13b). Verse 2:13a is something that no one desires. Verse 2:13b is desirable. In some languages, it may be natural to use a conjunction that shows contrast. For example:

but (Good News Translation)

Mercy triumphs over judgment: This is a type of proverb. It is stated in a few words using abstract nouns. In this proverb, Mercy is personified. This means that Mercy is spoken of as if it were a person. This person triumphs over his opponent. This means that he has victory over him.

Some ways to translate this sentence are:

• Translate this like a proverb and keep the abstract nouns mercy and judgment and the personification. For example:

Mercy triumphs over judgment. (God’s Word)
-or-
Mercy is confident when it confronts judgment.
-or-
Mercy is more powerful than judgment.

• Translate it like a proverb but without the personification. (There is an interpretation issue that comes into play in any attempt to make the meaning of this proverbial expression more explicit. The question is whether mercy refers to people showing mercy/compassion to others or to God’s mercy shown toward merciful people. The majority view (see, for example, Moo (2000), page 118; Ropes, page 202; Translator’s Handbook, page 81; SSA, page 72; New Living Translation (2004 Revision); New Century Version) is clearly that mercy refers to people showing mercy or compassion to others. This follows the same sense of mercy as it was last used in 2:13a “to anyone who has not been merciful.” It expresses in positive terms what 2:13a has expressed in negative terms, and it lines up well with other verses about mercy such as Matthew 5:7. The weakness of this view is that James’ choice of verb seems unusual to express such a meaning: mercy (shown by man) boasts/triumphs over God’s judgment. The minority view is found in Martin, page 72, and the Contemporary English Version.) For example:

The person who shows mercy can be confident on the day when God judges everyone.
-or-
A man who is merciful to others does not need to have fear on the day when God will judge people.

• Translate the meaning. For example:

If you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
When anyone is merciful to others, God will judge him with mercy.

Mercy: Mercy here probably refers to the kindness or compassion that a person shows to others who are suffering or in need. It refers to how believers should be treating poor people in their congregation.

The same word with the same meaning occurs at the end of 2:13a.

triumphs over: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as triumphs over probably means that a person is joyfully confident even though something threatens him. “Mercy” (personified) knows that it is superior to judgment and so is not afraid of judgment. In other words, a merciful person is not afraid that God will condemn him. For ways to translate this word, see the examples above.

judgment: Here judgment refers to God’s act of judging people. It has the same meaning as in 2:12a and 2:13a.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:3a–b

And when you do ask, you do not receive: The clause And when you do ask, you do not receive refers to prayer. James’ readers were praying to God for certain things, but God was not answering their prayers.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

And even when you ask, you don’t get it (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
When you pray for things, you don’t get them (God’s Word)
-or-
Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered (Contemporary English Version)

4:3c

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason that people do not get what they pray for.

you ask with wrong motives: The clause you ask with wrong motives is more literally “you ask wrongly” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This indicates that James’ readers were asking for things from God for the wrong reasons. They were asking for things for selfish reasons rather than for God’s glory.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the reason you ask is wrong (New Century Version)
-or-
the reason why you^(plur) ask is not right
-or-
you pray just for selfish reasons (Contemporary English Version)

4:3d

that you may squander it on your pleasures: The clause that you may squander it on your pleasures means that James’ readers intended to use what they prayed for to satisfy their own desires.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. (New Century Version)
-or-
The reason you
^(plur) ask for it is so that you might fulfill your evil desires.

squander: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as squander means “use wastefully.” It does not only refer to spending money, although wasting money is one aspect.

Another way to translate this word is:

use (Good News Translation)

pleasures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pleasures is the same as the word translated “passions” in 4:1b. This word refers to wrong, selfish desires. It is a desire for personal wealth, glory, and pleasure.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

passions (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
selfish desires
-or-
enjoyment
-or-
satisfy your heart

General Comment on 4:3a–d

In some languages, it is more natural to put the reason (in 4:3c–d) before the result (in 4:3a–b). For example:

^3cYou ask with wrong motives ^3dthat you may spend what you get on your pleasures. ^3bTherefore, you do not receive ^3awhat you ask for.

General Comment on 4:3b–d

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in 4:3b–d. For example:

^3byou do not receive, ^3cbecause you ask for things ^3dso that you can spend/use what you get on your pleasures. ^3cThat is the wrong reason for praying!

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 5:19–20

James encouraged believers to help the person who is no longer obeying God to obey him again

In this final section of James’ epistle, he encouraged his readers to help any fellow Christians who had stopped obeying God to begin to obey him again.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Help Those Who Have Wandered Away from the Truth (God’s Word)
-or-
Restore Wandering Believers (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
Help people return to obeying God

Paragraph 5:19–20

The two verses of this paragraph are all one sentence in the Greek text. In 5:19 James described figuratively something that may happen to a Christian: a person strays away from God, and someone brings him back. In 5:20 James commented that bringing this person back into a relationship with God is a worthwhile thing to do.

5:19a

My brothers: Here James used the phrase My brothers to emphasize the following point and to introduce a new topic.

This phrase also occurs in 5:12a.

if one of you should wander from the truth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wander means that a person “strays from,” “leaves” or “abandons” the correct path. This is a figure of speech meaning that a person is no longer following God nor living a life that pleases him.

There are at least two ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

if one of you strays from the truth (Revised English Bible)
-or-
if one of you leaves the path of truth

• Translate the meaning. For example:

If one of you believers no longer obeys the true teachings about/ from God

one of you: The phrase one of you refers to a member of the Christian community.

the truth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the truth here refers to the true way of life. This is the way that is taught in God’s word. It is the true teaching of God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

true/straight teaching
-or-
God’s ways
-or-
the way that God wants us to live
-or-
following what God teaches us to believe and do

This word also occurs in 3:14d.

5:19b

and someone should bring him back: This clause is a second part of the condition. In other words, the word “if” is implied. For example:

and if someone should bring him back

James continued to use figurative language. He spoke of someone helping another person to find the right path again. He meant helping this other person to recognize that he was no longer living as a Christian should. This person helps the other to repent and again live the way a true Christian should live.

There are at least two ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

you should try to lead them back. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and if someone helps him follow God’s path again

• Translate the meaning. For example:

and if someone helps him to repent
-or-
if someone encourages him to obey the truth again

(See the General Comment on 5:19–20 at the end of 5:20d for a way to make this a separate sentence.)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

1:18

In 1:18, James wrote about the particular gift that was foremost in his mind when he said, “Every good gift…comes from above” (1:17). This good gift is that God “chose to give us birth through the word of truth.”

1:18a

He chose to give us birth: This phrase indicates that God planned and decided to give us birth. He did not choose and desire to cause people to sin (see 1:13).

give us birth: There are two ways to interpret the phrase give…birth:

(1) It refers to the new birth that happens when people become followers of Christ. (Huther, page 74; Alford, page 283; Mayor, page 59; Ropes, page 166; Mitton, pages 56–57; Hiebert, pages 116–117; Adamson (1976), pages 76–77; Davids (1982), pages 89–90; Moo (1985), pages 76–77; Martin, pages 39–41.) For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

give us new birth

(New Living Translation, 1996 edition, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It refers to the creation of mankind. (In particular, see F. J. A. Hort.) For example, the Good News Translation says:

he brought us into being

(Good News Translation)

Childbirth is used in the NT as a metaphor for new birth in Christ (1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9), but never for creation. Also the phrase “word of truth” normally refers to the gospel (see the following note on “through the word of truth”). For these reasons, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

In some languages, the metaphor of childbirth (“he gave birth to us”) may be misunderstood. If this is the case in your language, it may be better to say:

he gave us new life

us: James was probably referring to all Christians. See the note on “firstfruits” at the end of this verse.

through the word of truth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as through the word of truth here means “through the true message.” In the NT this phrase commonly refers to the gospel concerning Jesus Christ. Belief in the gospel is the way that God chose to give us new birth.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by means of the word of truth
-or-
when we believed the true message
-or-
because we believed that his word is true

See the General Comment on 1:18a below for other ways to translate this phrase.

word: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as word means “a message.” It is what someone has said.

General Comment on 1:18a

In some languages, it is more natural to put “through the word of truth” before “He chose to give us birth.” For example:

The word of truth is the way that he chose to give us birth.
-or-
He used/took the word of truth and chose to give us new birth.
-or-
We believe the word of truth saying, “He chose to give us birth.”

1:18b

that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that introduces God’s purpose in giving people new birth. God gave us new birth (1:18a) so that we might be a kind of firstfruits (1:18b).

Some other ways to translate this word are:

in order that
-or-
for the purpose of

In some languages, it may be natural to start a new sentence here. For example:

He did this so that…

we would be a kind of firstfruits: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a kind of firstfruits is a simile. In this simile, Christians are compared to firstfruits. The word firstfruits refers to the first grains and fruits of the harvest. It also refers to the first-born child and animal. God had asked his people to give their firstfruits to him.

Some ways that Christians and firstfruits are similar are:

• Both are first in time, in contrast to others that will come later. For example:

that we might be…the first specimens of his new creation (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

• Both are offered to God and so belong to him. As a result, both are more important than other parts of God’s creation. For example:

so that we should have first place among all his creatures (Good News Translation)
-or-
to make us his most important creatures (God’s Word)

Some ways to translate this simile are:

• Make explicit the way that Christians and firstfruits are similar. For example:

that we believers should be the first to come to him just like the firstfruits of the harvest
-or-
that we believers should be the most important of all his creation just like the firstfruits of the harvest

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

to be his own special people (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the simile literally. For example:

so that we would be like the first fruit/grains of the harvest

If you translate the simile literally, you may want to add a footnote. In the footnote you can explain more fully what firstfruits were and what was being compared in this simile. For example:

The word “firstfruits” refers to the first grains/fruits of the crops that ripen or the firstborn child or animal. God asked the Israelites to give these things to him. Here James compares us Christians to the firstfruits. We are similar in that we are the most important part. We are also the first.

of His creation: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as of His creation is literally “of his creatures” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This phrase refers to everything that God created. It does not refer just to living things.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

of all the things that he created
-or-
from among everything he made

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:24a

As you can see: The clause As you can see introduces James’ final conclusion from the life of Abraham in 2:21–23. Some ways to introduce this conclusion are:

So you see (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
Therefore, we can see/understand that

you: In Greek, James switches to the plural pronoun you. Up to this point, James used the singular pronoun you.

2:24b

a man is justified by his deeds: This clause indicates that God declares a person righteous on the basis of faith that is demonstrated by his good deeds.

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as justified is the same verb that is used in 2:21b. Use the same expression here as in 2:21b. For example:

a person is declared right with God because of the good deeds he does
-or-
we are considered righteous/straight because of what we do
-or-
It is on the basis of what someone does that God declares that he is a righteous/good person

The difference between this verse and 2:21b is that 2:21b refers to a particular time in the past when God declared that Abraham was righteous. This verse is a general statement about how God declares that people are righteous. Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language for expressing statements that are true for everyone.

This clause is also passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

a person is justified by works (NET Bible)

• Use an active verb. For example:

God declares a person righteous because of the good deeds he does

by his deeds: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as by his deeds is the same Greek phrase as in 2:21b. There the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “by what he did.” See the note there for advice on translating the implied information.

2:24c

not by faith alone: Here James left some words implicit. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply this implicit information. For example:

he is not declared righteous by faith alone

The phrase faith alone means “faith by itself” or “faith that does not have any good deeds accompanying it.” (Many people have found this verse difficult, because at first sight it appears to contradict Paul who says, “For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.” (Romans 3:28, Revised Standard Version).However, if we look at the context closely, we see that James and Paul are talking about different things. Paul’s argument in Romans 3 and 4 is intended to show that God justifies Gentiles in the same way as he justifies Jews, on the basis of their faith, not their obedience to the laws of Moses. This means in practice that the fact that many Gentiles have not obeyed the law of Moses (especially in the matter of circumcision) is not a barrier to stop them joining the church.Notice that Paul speaks of works of law not just works. James’ argument has nothing to do with the problem of allowing Gentiles to become members of the church, but it is the problem of those in the church who say they have faith but do not do the deeds that should result from their faith. So for James, works (“deeds”) means “deeds done in obedience to God”. Notice also that James is not against faith, he is against faith without deeds.) It does not mean that someone can be justified by good deeds instead of faith.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

not by faith without any good deeds
-or-
he is not declared righteous if he only has faith
-or-
God does not consider him just/straight if he only believes but does not have any good deeds

In this phrase, the emphasis is on the word alone.

Notice that the contrast is between “by what he does” in 2:24b and by faith alone here. Try to make this contrast clear in your translation.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:14a–b

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life?: There are two ways to punctuate 4:14a–b. Consequently, there are two ways to interpret the clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as What is your life. They are:

(1) It is a rhetorical question and goes with what follows in 4:14c–e. According to this interpretation, James was emphasizing the shortness of life. For example, the NET Bible says:

You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like?

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised English Bible, King James Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation, 1996 edition, New Century Version, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It is a statement and goes with what precedes in 4:14a. According to this interpretation, James was emphasizing that the traders were ignorant of what their life would be like tomorrow. (Martin, page 158.) For example, the Good News Translation says:

You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be!

(Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

It is recommended that you follow option (1). This is followed by the majority of commentators and English versions. James’ point is not about what your life will be like tomorrow, but whether you will be alive at all. This is clear from 4:15.

4:14a

There is a contrast between 4:13 and 4:14. The contrast is between the rich people’s plans, and the fact that they do not know what will happen the next day. Some ways to show this contrast are:

But (New Century Version)
-or-
You talk like that, however

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow!: The Berean Standard Bible uses even as a way of communicating the exclamation in English. The New International Version (2011 Revision) tries to show this exclamation and the contrast mentioned above by using the word “Why.”

Some ways to translate this sentence are:

• As an exclamation. For example:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! (New Century Version)
-or-
You have no idea/clue what will happen tomorrow!

• As a rhetorical question that emphasizes that we do not know what will happen tomorrow. For example:

But do you even know what will happen tomorrow? Of course not!
-or-
What do you know about tomorrow? (Contemporary English Version)

4:14b

What is your life?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes how uncertain life is. James responded to his own rhetorical question in the next sentence.

Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What is your life after all? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Do you know how long you will live?
-or-
To what can your life be compared?

• As a statement. For example:

Think about your life.
-or-
Consider the time you have to live.

• As a phrase connected to and introducing 4:14c. For example:

Your life is…. (New Century Version)
-or-
The time you live is like

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language.

4:14c–e

Most English versions use no connecting word at the beginning of this sentence. In Greek, there is a connector showing that this sentence explains the reason why life is uncertain. The Revised Standard Version translates the Greek conjunction as “For.” Use a natural way of connecting this sentence to the question that came before it.

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes: This is a metaphor. In this metaphor, James compared a person’s life to a mist. The way that they are similar is that both exist for only a short time.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. (Contemporary English Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

For your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

• Translate the meaning without using the metaphor. For example:

You live for a brief while and then pass away.

4:14c

You are: The words You are introduce an answer to the question “What is your life?” In some languages, it may be necessary to say “Your life is….” For example:

your life is like (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

a mist: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a mist means “a vapor or smoke that goes into the air.” Some other ways to translate this word are:

puff of smoke (NET Bible)
-or-
morning fog (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
steam

4:14d

appears for a little while: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appears means “exists” or “is here.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

it’s here a little while (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
that is seen for a moment (God’s Word)
-or-
You can see it for a short time (New Century Version)

4:14e

and then vanishes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as vanishes also means “disappear.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and then disappears (Good News Translation)
-or-
then it goes away (New Century Version)

If you translate the meaning of 4:14c–e without using a metaphor, some ways to translate vanishes are:

and then you pass away
-or-
then it’s over
-or-
and then you die

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:3a

If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lavish attention on means “look at someone in a way that shows that you care about them and are interested in their needs.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If you show more respect to the well-dressed man (Good News Translation)
-or-
You honor the rich man
-or-
and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes (New Revised Standard Version)

2:3b

Here is a seat of honor: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Here is a good seat of honor is literally “You sit here well.” There are two ways to interpret the word “well” in this context:

(1) It refers to a good seat, either because the seat is more comfortable than others or because it is a seat of honor. (Alford, page 291; Huther, page 102; Mayor, page 81; Hiebert, page 153; Adamson (1976), page 106; Laws, page 99; Davids (1982), page 109; Martin, page 62.) For example, the NET Bible says:

You sit here in a good place.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version)

(2) It indicates a polite request, “please” (Ropes, page 190; Adamson (1989), page 279 note 43; Dibelius, page 131; Lenski, page 565.) For example, the Revised English Bible says:

Please take this seat.

(Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

In many cultures, it is important to speak politely to important people. So, even though interpretation (1) is the preferred interpretation, your translation may combine interpretations (1) and (2). For example:

Sir, here is a good seat for you
-or-
Please, sir, sit here in this nice seat

2:3c–d

“You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”: In the earliest Greek manuscripts, there were no punctuation marks. There are two ways to punctuate this sentence:

(1) There should be two separate quotations. According to this interpretation, these two clauses are two possible commands. (Adamson (1976), page 101; Dibelius, page 132; Lenski, page 565.) For example, the NET Bible says:

“You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor.”

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, English Standard Version)

(2) There should be only one quotation. According to this interpretation, the poor man was given two choices: sit on the ground or stand. (Alford, page 291; Huther, page 102; Mitton, page 83; Hiebert, page 153; Moo (1985), page 89; Martin, page 62.) For example, the Revised English Bible says:

‘You stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my footstool,’

(King James Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It seems unlikely that people would give the poor man a choice between sitting or standing. It seems more likely that James mentioned two commands that people might give to a poor man. Therefore, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Another way to translate this is:

but to the poor man you either say, “Stand over there,” or you say, “Sit on the ground/floor.”

2:3d

“Sit at my feet,”: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sit at my feet is literally “sit below my footstool.” At the time when James lived, important people used to sit on a fine chair with a low stool in front of it. They would rest their feet on this stool. This was called a footstool. Poor people would sit on the floor below the level of the rich person’s feet on the footstool.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

sit here on the floor by my footstool (Revised English Bible)
-or-
sit on the floor next to my chair
-or-
sit down next to my feet

What is important here is not the footstool itself but the fact that “below the footstool” represents the most inferior place. Use an expression that shows that the speaker is showing contempt for the poor man. For example:

sit on the ground
-or-
go sit over there

General Comment on 2:3a–d

When translating the words spoken to the two men who might come into the worship place, it is more natural in some languages to use indirect speech. For example:

You must not give the best seat to the one in fancy clothes and tell the one who is poor to stand at the side or sit on the floor. (Contemporary English Version)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

3:10

In this verse, James summarized the statement he made in 3:9 and then made a comment on it.

3:10a

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing: In some languages, blessing and cursing are not normally described as things that can come or go. So it may not be possible to translate this clause literally. It may be necessary to say something like:

We use our mouths both to bless and to curse.
-or-
The same mouth speaks praises and curses.
-or-
with our tongues we speak both praises and curses (Contemporary English Version)

blessing and cursing: When you translate the words blessing and cursing, use words that are the same as, or related to, the words you used in 3:9. For example:

blessing and cursing (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you speak well of one and evil against the other

3:10b

My brothers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as My brothers refers to other believers in Christ. It refers to both the men and women to whom James was writing. James used the term of address My brothers here to soften his rebuke (“this should not be”). You may have another way in your language to soften a rebuke and could use it here.

This same phrase occurs at 1:2a.

The Greek text actually places the phrase My brothers in the middle of “this should not be.” In some languages, it may be more natural to place it at the end. For example:

This should not be so, my friends. (Revised English Bible)

this should not be!: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this should not be is a strong rebuke. It means that it is quite wrong for people to speak both praises and curses. James is not saying that it is wrong to speak praises. He is saying that it is wrong to speak curses.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

this should not happen (God’s Word)
-or-
this isn’t right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what is being done should not be like that
-or-
we should not do this

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.