James, the Synagogue, and Jesus – part 4 (of 4)

You are going to have some choices to make at the end this post, which is also, the 4^th and final part of this series “James, the Synagogue, and Jesus.  You will have to decide whether synagogues are completely evil as some have taught, “some” including some of the ante-Nicene fathers, or whether they also have men in them that are righteous too. 

Too often, man jumps to conclusions without considering the facts.  Are there people in the ekklesia (church) that are hypocrites (pretenders – stage actors) as well?  Do they get a pass?  Do these hypocrites mean that EVERYONE that goes to church is ALSO a hypocrite (pretender – stage actor)?

Prayerfully consider the rest of the entries and let the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) guide you as we finish part 4.

Luke 8:41 (CJB) ⁴¹ Then there came a man named Ya’ir (Jairus) who was president (ruler) of the synagogue. Falling at Yeshua’s (Jesus’) feet, he pleaded with him to come to his house;

 The Nasi (President) of the Capernaum synagogue.  Would a hypocrite (pretender – stage actor) plead and/or beg?  If he didn’t have trust would he?  Is this just desperation?

Mark 5:22 (CJB) ²² There came to him a synagogue official, Ya’ir by name, who fell at his feet
Matthew 9:18 (CJB) ¹⁸ While he was talking, an official came in, kneeled down in front of him and said, “My daughter has just died. But if you come and lay your hand on her, she will live.”

In Luke is says to fall down before:  A leader of the synagogue prostrating himself before Yeshua (Jesus).  Does this sound like a hypocrite (pretender – stage actor)?!?

In Matthew, is says worshiped (proskuneō) which also means  bow down to – show reverence to.  He believe (trusts) that if Yeshua will but lay an hand on his “dead” daughter. . .

 

Luke 11:43 (CJB) ⁴³ “Woe to you P’rushim (Pharisees), because you love the best seat in the synagogues and being greeted deferentially in the marketplaces!

A Parush (Pharisee) asks Yeshua to dinner but Yeshua doesn’t do n’tilat yadayim (ceremonial hand washing) – When questioned about it, Yeshua proceeds to tell them what true hypocrisy (pretending – stage acting) really is – he turns the questions back on them.

Notice the following verse:

Luke 11:45 (CJB) ⁴⁵ One of the experts in Torah answered him, “Rabbi, by saying these things you are insulting us also.”

He calls him Rabbi.  Is this done in respect or sarcasm?  I will leave that up to you to decide.  Regardless, Yeshua the Rabbi takes the time to teach. This is a Rabbi teaching both Pharisees and Torah experts where they don’t have right thinking – He is doing what Rabbis do – teaching right thinking and right doing.

They had a choice – learn from it or reject it.  These particular ones rejected.  This doesn’t make the synagogue evil.  It is the men IN the synagogue that Yeshua is addressing.  The ones that “take the best seats” and “like being shown honor” in public places. 

Logic tells us there had to be others in the synagogue that they were taking the best seats from, doesn’t it?  Why would Yeshua even bring it up if all seated in the synagogue were bad?  If you believe that they are all bad, then you have to believe all of the marketplaces were bad too because Yeshua addresses that too.

 

Luke 12:11 (CJB) ¹¹ “When they bring you before the synagogues and the ruling powers and the authorities, don’t worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say;

This is an encouragement and a warning considering “blaspheming the Ruach HaKodesh – [the unforgivable sin] (Holy Spirit)” given to his talmidim (disciples)

 

Luke 13:10 (CJB) ¹⁰ Yeshua was teaching in one of the synagogues on Shabbat (Sabbath).

And just in case you are wondering, this is NOT on Sunday kids.  The “Lord’s Day Hypothesis” can’t be applied because it can’t even exist until Yeshua is dead.  This is on Saturday – the 7^th day – Shabbat.

The Savior we all worship, worshiped and taught in synagogues  . . . and on Sabbath.  If that command is not of any importance, then why did he do it?  He didn’t do ceremonial hand washing, why not skip Sabbath as well? 

Simple – God didn’t ordain ceremonial hand washing at the completion of the 6 days of creation – He did set a day aside then though – He set that day apart and made it Holy at the completion of creation.  I can tell you from personal experience, that you will only see this and understand this if you take off your prescribed “theological” glasses and look at the text as naked before God as King David did when he danced.

Luke 20:46 (CJB) ⁴⁶ “Watch out for the kind of Torah-teachers (scribes) that like to walk around in robes and be greeted deferentially in the marketplaces, the kind that like to have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets,

Luke 21:12 (CJB) ¹² But before all this, they will arrest you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons; and you will be brought before kings and governors. This will all be on account of me,

John 6:59 (CJB) ⁵⁹ He said these things as he was teaching in a synagogue in K’far-Nachum (Capernaum).

Yeshua (Jesus) teaching and many of his talmidim (disciples) were right there in the synagogue with him – listening and having a hard time understanding (“trusting” you will see below is what understanding really represents here):

John 6:60-61 (CJB) ⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his talmidim said, “This is a hard word—who can bear to listen to it?” ⁶¹ But Yeshua, aware that his talmidim were grumbling about this, said to them, “This is a trap for you?

Notice the following:

John 6:64 (CJB) ⁶⁴ yet some among you do not trust.” (For Yeshua knew from the outset which ones would not trust him, also which one would betray him.)

There were more disciples than just the 12.  This teaching in the synagogue that day in Capernaum was a defining moment, notice the following:

John 6:66 (CJB) ⁶⁶ From this time on, many of his talmidim turned back and no longer traveled around with him.

So now we have a bunch of ex-talmidim as a result of his teaching at the synagogue in Capernaum.  You should all be able to remember this verse about how they stopped following him because this verse has the number 666.  Nothing ominous – ironic maybe since there were no chapters and verses when it was written.  The reason I bring up the 666 is so you will remember that this is the verse were some of his disciples: turned back – no longer followed – I am sure you also understand what 666 is in the book of Revelation.  We also pointed out the unforgivable sin in Luke 12.  Consider that all with what is now said:

John 6:67 (CJB) ⁶⁷ So Yeshua said to the Twelve, “Don’t you want to leave too?”

What makes them different?

John 6:69 (CJB) ⁶⁹ We have trusted, and we know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Then Yeshua tells them the following:

John 6:70-71 (CJB) ⁷⁰ Yeshua answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is an adversary (the Hebrew word for adversary is Satan).”
⁷¹ (He was speaking of Y’hudah Ben-Shim‘on, from K’riot; for this man — one  3of the Twelve! — was soon to betray him.)

I think associating these verses with that number you will remember these verses from now on, don’t you?  Kind of a Mnemonic aid to help you remember the text here.

 

John 18:20 (CJB) ²⁰ Yeshua answered, “I have spoken quite openly to everyone (world); I have always taught in a synagogue or in the Temple where all Jews meet together, and I have said nothing in secret;

“I have ALWAYS . . .”  (not in private or coerced)  Temple or synagogue – public.

 

Acts 6:9 (CJB) ⁹ But opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called) (Libertines – Freedmen), composed of Cyrenians, Alexandrians and people from Cilicia and the province of Asia. They argued with Stephen,

The first martyr for Yeshua.  Members of – it does not say “all” so assuming all would not be exegetically sound.  Notice a very important verse:

Acts 6:10 (CJB) ¹⁰ but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke.

 

Acts 9:2 (CJB) ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Dammesek (Damascus), authorizing him to arrest any people he might find, whether men or women, who belonged to “the Way,” and bring them back to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).

Enter Sha’ul (Paul) . . . angry!  Going straight to the cohen hagadol (high priest) for letters to the synagogues in Dammesek (Damascus).

Acts 9:20 (CJB) ²⁰ and immediately he began proclaiming in the synagogues that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Son of God.

Sha’ul has a change of heart . . .

 

Acts 13:5 (CJB) ⁵ After landing in Salamis, they began proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues, with Yochanan (Mark) as an assistant;

Yochanan (Mark):  This is an both the electronic and the printed version of the CJB.   Yochanan is the Hebrew word for John in the text.  David Stern explains it thus in his Jewish New Testament Commentary:

Yochanan (Mark). The name Mark is not in the text but is known from 12:25.

Acts 12:25 (CJB) ²⁵ Bar-Nabba and Sha’ul, having completed their errand, returned from Yerushalayim, bringing with them Yochanan, surnamed Mark.

David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, (Clarksville, Maryland: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 267.

The interlinear in Acts 12:25 bears this out where it confirms:

 3111. Μάρκος Markos name

Mark.

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “3111. Μάρκος,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Lambda-Omicron, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “3111. Μάρκος”.

Compare the following 5 translations following the CJB that do NOT make this distinction:

Acts 13:5 (CJB) ⁵ After landing in Salamis, they began proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues, with Yochanan (Mark) as an assistant (attendant);

 Acts 13:5 (NIV) ⁵ When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

Acts 13:5 (HCSB) ⁵ Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed God’s message in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant.

Acts 13:5 (NKJV) ⁵ And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.

Acts 13:5 (KJV) ⁵ And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Acts 13:5 (NASB) ⁵ When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper.

You have heard me say it before, this is just one of the reasons I use the CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) translation of the text.

Acts 13:14 (CJB) ¹⁴ but the others went on from Perga to Pisidian Antioch, and on Shabbat (Sabbath) they went into the synagogue and sat down.

Sha’ul still observing Shabbat (Sabbath) AFTER becoming a follower of Yeshua.  Since Sha’ul was born 2 years after Yeshua died, was he clueless?  Uniformed?  Do you read his epistles (letters) and and hang on every word, while at the same time, dismissing that he kept Shabbat many years after Yeshua’s Crucifixion?  Why is that exactly?  Let me put it another way by asking a simple question, “Which Authority:  Tradition or Text?

 

Acts 13:42 (CJB) ⁴² As they left, the people invited Sha’ul (Paul) and Bar-Nabba (Barnabas) to tell them more about these matters the following Shabbat.

 Notice the following: the people invited … tell them more … the following Shabbat.

Compare the following 6 versions:

Acts 13:42 (CJB) ⁴² As they left, the people invited Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba to tell them more about these matters the following Shabbat.

Acts 13:42 (NIV) ⁴² As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 (HCSB) ⁴² As they were leaving, the people begged that these matters be presented to them the following Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 (NKJV) ⁴² So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 (KJV) ⁴² And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Acts 13:42 (NASB) ⁴² As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. 

**It is ironic in that the NASB is considered to be a “literal” type translation in that it inserts the words “Paul and Barnabas” which aren’t in the Greek.  Even though it is obvious who the text is talking about, these are inserted words none the less.

 

Acts 13:43 (CJB) ⁴³ When the synagogue meeting broke up, many of the born Jews and devout proselytes followed Sha’ul (Paul) and Bar-Nabba (Barnabas), who spoke with them and urged them to keep holding fast to the love and kindness of God. 

Are these “born Jews” and “devout proselytes” that follow and Barnabas and Paul hypocrites (pretenders – stage actors)?

Acts 14:1 (CJB) ¹ In Iconium the same thing happened — they went into the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks came to trust. 

How about the “ large number of both Jews and Greeks (Hellenists) came to trust?”  Are these hypocrites (pretenders – stage actors)?

Hellenists in the synagogue?

1659. Ἕλλην Hellēn name

Greek.

Word Studies:

A native of Greece, used of Timothy’s father (Acts 16:1); every New Testament occurrence could be seen as referring to Gentiles, as opposed to Jews (Romans 1:14,16).

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “1659. Ἕλλην,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Delta-Epsilon, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “1659. Ἕλλην”.

This can’t be right can it? “Christians” in the synagogue?!? OH VEY!!! ( A Jewish expression meaning “oh, the pain!”)

If you believe everyone in the synagogue is a hypocrite (pretender – stage actor), then do you also believe that these Gentiles believers in this synagogue are also hypocrites?  Whether you answer “yes” or “no,” each answer has problems if you believe ALL synagogues are evil or that ALL in the synagogues are hypocrites.

 

Acts 15:21 (CJB) ²¹ For from the earliest times, Moshe (Moses) has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Shabbat (Sabbath).” 

Now we have the Jeruslem Council with Ya’akov (which you learned in part 3 was Jacob but is translated as James), the half brother of Yeshua, talking about synagogues.  Another simple question, How does he refer to synagogues?

Acts 17:1 (CJB) ¹ After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, Sha’ul and Sila came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue. 

Interesting contextual point here:

Acts 17:2-3 (CJB) ²According to his usual practice, Sha’ul went in; and on three Shabbats he gave them drashes from the Tanakh, ³ explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and that “this Yeshua whom I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 

The Greek for “usual practice” is eiōtha “custom”.  It means “used to” or “accustomed to.”

 

Acts 17:10 (CJB) ¹⁰ But as soon as night fell, the brothers sent Sha’ul (Paul) and Sila (Silas) off to Berea. As soon as they arrived, they went to the synagogue (of the Jews). 

This is a key verse to understanding.  Notice the context:

Acts 17:11-12 (CJB) ¹¹ Now the people here were of nobler character than the ones in Thessalonica; they eagerly welcomed the message, checking the Tanakh every day to see if the things Sha’ul was saying were true. ¹² Many of them came to trust, as did a number of prominent Greek women and not a few Greek men.

They (The Bereans) checked the Tanakh (Old Testament) which was the only Bible at the time (The New Testament had NOT been written yet), to see if what Sha’ul (Paul) said was true . . .THEN they came to trust.  I use this same principle in my writings – it is why I give you the text instead of just a verse number – I WANT you to CHECK before you ACCEPT!

So another question:  Synagogue “of the Jews.”  Were their other kinds of synagogues?  Kind of a trick question?  What is a synagogue in the biblical text?  The same thing an ekklesia (church) is:  an assembly or congregation of . . . In other words, you could have an “ekklesia” or a “synagogue” of bargain hunters on Black Friday waiting to get in and get the good deals – You could have a “assembly” of bargain hunters . . .

 

Acts 17:17 (CJB) ¹⁷ So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the “God-fearers (God-fearing Gentiles),” and in the market square every day with the people who happened to be there. 

Another verse with context – another verse about that shows Jew and Gentile together but in a city with a BIG problem:

Acts 17:16 (CJB) ¹⁶ While Sha’ul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit within him was disturbed at the sight of the city full of idols.

Sha’ul (Paul) gives one of the greatest “Polemic” examples in the text:

Acts 17:22-23 (CJB) ²² Sha’ul stood up in the Council meeting and said, “Men of Athens: I see how very religious you are in every way! ²³ For as I was walking around, looking at your shrines, I even found an altar which had been inscribed, ‘To An Unknown God.’ So, the one whom you are already worshiping in ignorance — this is the one I proclaim to you.

This is NOT irony – this is evangelism!  This is evangelism by someone that not only knows the text, but know the beliefs of the people he is evangelizing! Sha’ul is not an apologist, he is a polemicist!

 

Acts 18:4 (CJB) ⁴ Sha’ul also began carrying on discussions every Shabbat (Sabbath) in the synagogue, where he tried to convince both Jews and Greeks.

Some theology teaches that this is when Sha’ul abandoned the Jews completely because of the following verse in context:

Acts 18:6 (CJB) ⁶ However when they set themselves against him and began hurling insults, he shook out his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! For my part, I am clean; from now on, I will go to the Goyim!”

 Several problems with this supposition:

The word for Greek here for “Greeks,” as you may or may not remember, is Hellēn:

1659. Ἕλλην Hellēn name

Greek.

Word Studies:

A native of Greece, used of Timothy’s father (Acts 16:1); every New Testament occurrence could be seen as referring to Gentiles, as opposed to Jews (Romans 1:14,16).

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “1659. Ἕλλην,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Delta-Epsilon, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “1659. Ἕλλην”.

 “Goyim” in verse 6 is a different word: 

1477. ἔθνος ethnos noun

Nation, people, heathen, pagans, Gentiles.

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “1477. ἔθνος,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Delta-Epsilon, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “1477. ἔθνος”.

 Now ask yourself, does the same Sha’ul that makes the following statement in the text:

Romans 9:1-5 (CJB) ¹ I am speaking the truth — as one who belongs to the Messiah, I do not lie; and also bearing witness is my conscience, governed by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit): ²my grief is so great, the pain in my heart so constant,

³ that I could wish myself actually under God’s curse and separated from the Messiah, if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood, ⁴ the people of Isra’el! 

They were made God’s children, the Sh’khinah (glory) has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises; ⁵ the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be Adonai for ever! Amen. 

Does this seem like a Sha’ul that would abandon in what HE terms; (in a grief so great and a pain in the heart so constant) his fellow Jews?!?  Does he no longer wish himself under the curse and separated from Messiah if it could help his fellow Jews?

I am going to be blunt – if you believe that the Sha’ul above in Romans all of a sudden had a change of heart and no longer agonizes or hurts for his fellow Jews, you are reading something into the text that simply is NOT there!

Yes, he did say “apo tou nun” from the now, but what he was saying is explaind very well by David Stern in his Jewish New Testament Commentary:

Your blood be on your own heads (compare Mt 27:25&N). For my part, I am clean. At Ezekiel 3:16-19 God tells the prophet that he will be blameworthy if he fails to warn the wicked person to leave his wicked ways, but if he does warn him he will be guiltless. Shaʾul is, in effect, applying the passage to himself and saying,

“I have done what I could to bring you the message of salvation; you choose to reject it at your peril, but I have discharged my responsibility.

I would not leave you and go to the Goyim (13:46&N) if you were responsive, but you leave me no other choice. The Gospel is for you especially, but it will also save them” (Ro 1:16).

David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, (Clarksville, Maryland: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 289.

 

Acts 18:7 (CJB) ⁷ So he left them and went into the home of a “God-fearer (God-fearing Gentile)” named Titius Justus, whose house was right next door to the synagogue.

Again, God was already working. Just as God saw to it that Aquila and Priscilla were in Corinth in time to provide Paul a home and a place to work, so God had a Godfearing Gentile living right next door to the synagogue who was ready to open his house as a new evangelistic center. His name was Titus (or Titius) Justus. His Roman name indicates he was a Roman citizen. Sir William Ramsay and others have suggested his full name was Gaius Titius Justus and that he was the Gaius mentioned in Romans 16:23 and 1 Corinthians 1:14.

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., The Complete Biblical Library – Acts, (Springfield, IL: World Library Press, Inc., 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 433.

Acts 18:19 (CJB) ¹⁹ They came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and held dialogue with the Jews.

Acts 18:26 (CJB) ²⁶ He began to speak out boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God in fuller detail (more accurately).

About Apollos:

Acts 18:24 (CJB) ²⁴ Meanwhile, a Jewish man named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker with a thorough knowledge of the Tanakh.

Contrast this to the following dictionary entry:

619. Ἀπολλώς Apollōs name

Apollos.

Word Studies:

A Christian from Alexandria who taught at Ephesus (Acts 18:24) and Corinth (Acts 19:1).

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “619. Ἀπολλώς,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Alpha-Gamma, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “619. Ἀπολλώς”.

2 conclusions: Apollos is no longer a Jew and has converted to “Christianity” even though the text calls him specifically a Jew here OR Christian is nothing more than a term used to differentiate the sect in Judaism of the time that follows Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised Messiah. Pharisees had certain beliefs, Sadducees had certain beliefs and now, Christians can be added to that mix as well.  The theology you subscribe to will probably affect your understanding of the text here one way or the other.

Acts 19:8 (CJB) ⁸ Sha’ul went into the synagogue; and for three months he spoke out boldly, engaging in dialogue and trying to persuade people about the Kingdom of God.

Notice the word “some” (tines) below

Acts 19:9 (CJB) ⁹ But some began hardening themselves and refusing to listen; and when these started defaming the Way before the whole synagogue, Sha’ul withdrew, took the talmidim with him, and commenced holding daily dialogues in Tyrannus’s yeshivah.

Acts 22:19 (CJB) ¹⁹ I said, ‘Lord, they know themselves that in every synagogue I used to imprison and flog those who trusted in you;

Acts 24:12 (CJB) ¹² and neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues nor anywhere else in the city did they find me either arguing with anyone or collecting a crowd.

Acts 26:11 (CJB) ¹¹ Often I went from one synagogue to another, punishing them and trying to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury against them, I even went so far as to persecute them in cities outside the country.

 

James 2:2 (CJB) ² Suppose a man comes into your synagogue wearing gold rings and fancy clothes, and also a poor man comes in dressed in rags.

**We get to a very important verse – notice and compare the following 5 translations to the one above:

James 2:2 (NIV) ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

James 2:2 (HCSB) ² For example, a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor man dressed in dirty clothes also comes in.

James 2:2 (NKJV) ² For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,

James 2:2 (KJV) ² 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;

James 2:2 (NASB) ² For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

 Verse 2. For if there come unto your assembly. Marg., as in Gr., synagogue.

 It is remarkable that this is the only place in the New Testament where the word synagogue is applied to the Christian church.

 It is probably employed here because the apostle was writing to those who had been Jews; and it is to be presumed that the word synagogue would be naturally used by the early converts from Judaism to designate a Christian place of worship, or a Christian congregation, and it was probably so employed until it was superseded by a word which the Gentile converts would be more likely to employ and which would, in fact, be better and more expressive-the word church.

 The word synagogue (συναγωγην) would properly refer to the whole congregation, considered as assembled together, without respect to the question whether all were truly pious or not; the word church (εκκλησια) would refer to the assembly convened for worship as called out, referring to the fact that they were called out from the world, and convened as worshippers of God, and would, therefore, be more applicable to a body of spiritual worshippers.

 It is probable that the Christian church was modelled, in its general arrangements, after the Jewish synagogue; but there would be obviously some disadvantages in retaining the name, as applicable to Christian worship. It would be difficult to avoid the associations connected with the name, and hence it was better to adopt some other name which would be free from this disadvantage, and on which might be engrafted all the ideas which it was necessary to connect with the notion of the Christian organization. Hence the word church, liable to no such objection as that of synagogue, was soon adopted, and ultimately prevailed, though the passage before us shows that the word synagogue would be in some places, and for a time, employed to designate a Christian congregation. We should express the idea here by saying, “If a man of this description should come into the church.”

     A man with, a gold ring. Indicative of rank or property. Rings were common ornaments of the rich; and probably then, as now, of those who desired to be esteemed to be rich. For proof that they were commonly worn, see the quotations in Wetstein, in loc.

      In goodly apparel. Rich and splendid dress. Compare Luke 16:19.

      A poor man in vile raiment. The Greek here is, filthy, foul; the meaning of the passage is, in sordid, shabby clothes. The reference here seems to be, not to those who commonly attended on public worship, or who were members of the church, but to those who might accidentally drop in to witness the services of Christians. See 1 Corinthians 14:24.

 (*) “assembly” or, “synagogue”

(*) “goodly” or, “gorgeous”

Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical, ed. Robert Frew WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “James 2”.

Consider the implications of Albert Barnes statement above from his commentary:

“It is remarkable that this is the only place in the New Testament where the word synagogue is applied to the Christian church.” 

The assumption that Barnes makes also implies that Ya’akov (Jacob – translated as James) is unaware of the Greek word that most translations use for church: ekklēsia.  Barnes IGNORES or is UNAWARE of the fact that Ya’akov uses ekklēsia (a synonym for synagogue) in a later verse of the same letter – In other words, Ya’akov seems to know the difference by the very fact that he uses both:

James 5:14 (CJB) ¹⁴ Is someone among you ill? He should call for the elders of the congregation. They will pray for him and rub olive oil on him in the name of the Lord. 

1564. ἐκκλησία ekklēsia noun

Assembly, congregation, church.

Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., “1564. ἐκκλησία,” in The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Delta-Epsilon, (Springfield, MO: Complete Biblical Library, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “1564. ἐκκλησία”.

And since it would appear that Ya’akov knows the difference between sunagōgē and ekklēsia, because he used both words in this text:

4715. συναγωγή sunagōgē noun

Place of assembly, synagogue, a congregation.

 1564. ἐκκλησία ekklēsia noun

Assembly, congregation, church.

It would be consistent and make sense (if one accepts Barnes’s explanation above), to translate ekklēsia in the same understanding and manner sunagōgē  was translated in verse 2:2 as “meeting” or “assembly.”  However, this is NOT the case.  Notice how all of the translations render this word ekklēsia in this verse:

James 5:14 (NIV) ¹⁴ Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14 (HCSB) ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:14 (NASB) ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

They do not render it “meeting” or “assembly” in this verse like they did in 2:2, they render it “church.”  In contrast to Albert Barnes, David Stern gives a much different reasoning for why this unique phenomenon happens in Ya’akov (James) 2:2:

Your synagogue. This is a Messianic synagogue, a congregation of believers in Yeshua, predominantly Jewish, expressing their New Covenant faith in a way retaining most or all of the prayers, customs and style of non-Messianic synagogues. The word in Greek is “sunagôgê“; it appears 57 times in the New Testament. Fifty-six times it refers to a Jewish place of congregational assembly and is translated “synagogue” in virtually all English versions. Yet in the present verse KJV and the Revised Standard Version render it “assembly,” and other versions translate it by “church,” “meeting,” “place of worship” and other avoidances of the word “synagogue.” 

This reflects the translators’ unwillingness to acknowledge the Jewishness of New Covenant faith and the overall antisemitic bias that has infected Christianity over the centuries (see Ro 10:4&N). 

The New Jerusalem Bible prepared by Roman Catholics does use the word “synagogue,” but adds in a note, “James is writing to Jewish Christians; it is possible that they may even have still been attending Jewish synagogues, or it may be his word for the Christian ‘assembly’ for liturgical services.” “Even… still… attending Jewish synagogues”—how backward of them! And how backward of Shaʾul, who made it his “usual practice” to do so (Ac 17:2)!

Yaʿakov is talking neither about a Christian church service nor a gathering of Jewish nonbelievers but a Messianic synagogue. He would not refer to “your synagogue” and assume his readers were in charge of seating visitors if the synagogue was not controlled by the Messianic Jews. There is no reason why “synagogue,” with its unmistakably Jewish connotation, should have been “his word for the Christian ‘assembly'” in general, since the term the New Testament uses 112 times for that is “ekklêsia” (usually rendered “church” in other versions; see Mt 16:18N); Yaʿakov himself employs it at 5:14.

The idea that this synagogue was Messianic simply did not occur to the Jerusalem Bible note-writer.

Rendering sunagôgê “assembly” or “church” instead of “synagogue” robs Messianic Jews of their identity.

This verse establishes a solid New Testament basis for modern-day Messianic synagogues, provided they do not exclude Gentile believers. To do so would “raise the middle wall of partition” once again, in violation of Ep 2:11-16&NN. A Messianic synagogue, while committed to preserving and developing a Jewish rather than a Gentile mode of expressing New Covenant faith, must be open to participation by believing Jews and Gentiles alike.

David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, (Clarksville, Maryland: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 728-729.

All one has to do is read ACTS 15 in context to verify that the congregation that Ya’akov is a part of is a Jewish congregation. When one considers what David Stern wrote above in the context of what is happening in Acts 15, it is very hard to ignore the Jewish context and makeup of the congregation in Jerusalem – his explanation has much merit.

 

A question has to be asked:

In the (54) instances of “synagogue” before this verse (Ya’akov 2:2 – James 2:2) and (2) instances after this verse, why is the word synagogue used to mean Jews but in 2:2 (and 2:2 alone) does it take on the meaning of “christian church exclusively?”  I suspect it is because of the context – Notice the following verse:

James 1:1 (CJB) ¹ From: Ya‘akov, a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah To: The Twelve Tribes in the Diaspora: Shalom!

Who is this letter to?  That’s right, the 12 tribes in the Diaspora!  Albert Barnes amazes me in his commentary because if you take his position, this would have to have the following addendum:

To:  The 12 Tribes in the Diaspora which are not meeting in synagogues but in Christian churches. . .  

Approaching the text this way (ignoring context and the actual words used) lead to nothing but error.  To accept verse 2:2 for what it says in context with 1:1, you “have” to come to the conclusion that these are Jews still practicing Judaism in synagogues!  Is this so hard to fathom?  Judaism believed a prophesied Messiah would come.  These particular Jews believed that prophesied Messiah was Yeshua (Jesus)! Chapter 3 deals with the tongue – Lahon Ha-Ra.  Consider the following verse:

Psalm 34:11-14 (CJB) ¹¹ Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Adonai. ¹² Which of you takes pleasure in living? Who wants a long life to see good things? ¹³ [If you do,] keep your tongue (Lashon) from evil (Ra) and your lips from deceiving talk; ¹⁴ turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, go after it!

We also see in Chapters 2 and 4 that Ya’akov addresses Torah. Notice the following verses:

James 2:8 (CJB) ⁸ If you truly attain the goal of Kingdom Torah, in conformity with the passage that says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

James 4:11 (CJB) ¹¹ Brothers, stop speaking against each other! Whoever speaks against a brother or judges a brother is speaking against Torah and judging Torah. And if you judge Torah, you are not a doer of what Torah says, but a judge.

Revelation 2:9 (CJB) ⁹ “I know how you are suffering and how poor you are (though in fact you are rich!), and I know the insults of those who call themselves Jews but aren’t — on the contrary, they are a synagogue of the Adversary.

The Synagogue of Satan!  This is the verse where most people seem to get their synagogue is evil stance.  Question is, who is this addressing?  ALL synagogues?  Like the synagogues where Yeshua and Sha’ul taught?  The synagogue in Berea?  The synagogue in Jerusalem where Yeshua’s half brother Ya’akov presides?

Maybe the real question is what and who are the “people that call themselves JEWS but are NOT.”  Consider what noted biblical scholar Craig Keener writes:

 … in calling them a “synagogue of Satan,” his rhetoric resembles that of the Dead Sea Scrolls, where a persecuted Jewish sect that considered the rest of Judaism apostate called its opponents “the lot of Belial” (Satan).

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Revelation 2:8-11 Oracle to the Church at Smyrna”.

 

Revelation 3:9 (CJB) ⁹ Here, I will give you some from the synagogue of the Adversary, those who call themselves Jews but aren’t — on the contrary, they are lying — see, I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.

Consider David Stern’s commentary:

I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. In his remarks on this phrase the non-Jewish commentator George Eldon Ladd notes verses from the Tanakh in which it is prophesied that the pagan nations of the world will come and bow before Israel (Isaiah 45:14, 49:23, 60:14; Ezekiel 36:23, 37:28), and then writes,

“These and many other passages look forward to a day of the triumph of Israel over the nations; sometimes it is expressed in terms of the humiliation of the gentiles before Israel, sometimes in the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Israel.” (Revelation, Eerdmans, 1972, pp. 60-61)

David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, (Clarksville, Maryland: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 799.

Simply put: there will be an expectation by some Jews to see Gentiles prostrated before them as the above verses say will happen in Isaiah and Ezekiel.  In their desire for this to happen, hearts may be hard and ignore the other prophecies of them being provoked by/with a vile nation such as that in Ha’azinu (Hear) in the Song of Moshe (Moses):

Deuteronomy 32:21 (CJB) ²¹ They aroused my jealousy with a non-god and provoked me with their vanities; I will arouse their jealousy with a non-people and provoke them with a vile nation.

 

Long study – long series – long post, huh?  I could have broke this one  down into 2 separate posts, but I think it needed the context of verses such as the Bereans in Acts 17:10 to be available in the same post in case some only read part 4 of this series. 

I hope this caused you to open up your bibles and consider what is being said in context.  I hope you got something out of this that you didn’t know before.  I hope and pray it has been helpful in you seeing Jew and Gentile together as one new humanity.  Whether it is as a synagogue or a ekklesia (because both are “assemblies”) what will matter is that they are “assemblies of believers” regardless of whether they are Jewish or Gentile – synagogue or church.

Be blessed!!!