James 2:4

4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:4 in Other Translations

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

4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

4 haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?

4 Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

4 Aren't you discriminating against people and using a corrupt standard to make judgments?

4 haven't you discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

4 If you would, aren't you treating some people better than others? Aren't you like judges who have 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 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.

3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”

4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

Cross References

• 1. S John 7:24