James 2:4

4 Are ye not then judging in yourselves and are become judges of evil thoughts?

James 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

James 2:4

Are ye not then partial in yourselves
That is, guilty of such partiality as must appear to yourselves, and your own consciences must accuse you of; or do not ye distinguish, or make a difference among yourselves, by such a conduct, towards the rich and the poor:

and are become judges of evil thoughts;
or "are distinguishers by evil thoughts"; that is, make a distinction between the rich and the poor, by an evil way of thinking, that one is better than the other, and to be preferred before him.

James 2:4 In-Context

2 For if a man with a gold ring and in precious apparel comes into your synagogue and a poor person in vile raiment also comes in,

3 and ye have respect to him that wears the precious 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:

4 Are ye not then judging in yourselves and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world that they might be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not the rich oppress you with tyranny and draw you with violence to the courts?