2:2 assembly. “Assembly” here is actually the same word translated as “synagogue” (in fact, transliterated from the Greek). This is further indication of the very early date of James’ epistle. The Jewish Christians evidently continued to call their assemblies by the same name they had known before, even though now they were Christian “synagogues.” Eventually, with increasing hostility by non-Christian Jews, along with more Gentiles coming into the assemblies, the “church” name became adopted everywhere.

2:8 according to the scripture. This law was first set forth in Scripture in Leviticus 19:18. It was cited by Christ as a parallel law to that of loving God (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27). It is also quoted in Matthew 5:43; 19:19; and Galatians 5:14 (where Paul says it sums up the whole body of the Mosaic laws as they deal with human behavior and relationships). Thus the Bible cites it specifically eight times. No wonder it is called the royal law.