2:2 For if there should come into your assembly
2:2. For if there should come into your assembly - The Greek word used here for assembly is ‘synagogue’ which is significant for two reasons. It is a purely Jewish reference that gives us a clue to the early authorship of James. Secondly, by looking at the structure of a synagogue we are able to understand this passage with a little more clarity.
2:2. Assembly (Synagogue)
Though there were no fixed proportions or measurements for the synagogue there were fixed characteristics for its construction. It stood on the highest ground of the city. It was built facing Jerusalem, so that when the worshippers entered they were facing the holy city. Daniel looked toward the city of Jerusalem when he prayed, because that is where the ark carrying the sacred Presence was. It was a custom of the Jews to do this when they were away from the Holy City (1 Kings 8:44,48; 2 Chron 6:34; Psalm 5:7 Jon 2:4). The expense of building the synagogue was up to the district, and often a rich Jew would fund the project. Internally, there was an obvious analogy to the temple.
The main purpose for the synagogue was the expounding and teaching of the law. The temple was the place for prayer and worship (see Matt 21:13). The synagogue was never called the temple. At the Jerusalem end of the synagogue stood the ark, which contained the Book of the Law. These two items gave this area its character and name. It was in this area where the scribes and the Pharisees strived so hard to reach. This was the place of the chief seats (NKJV ‘best seats/best places’). These were placed at the platform in the front. After that the front seats in the congregation were for the older spiritual leaders of the community. Other people including those who were young sat towards the rear.
