James 2 · Verse 4

James 2:4

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

James 2:4, King James Version

James 2:4 in other translations

BSB	have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
WEB	haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
ASV	do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
YLT	ye did not judge fully in yourselves, and did become ill-reasoning judges.
DARBY	have ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts?
BBE	Is there not a division in your minds? have you not become judges with evil thoughts?
Webster	Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

What does James 2:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. Are ye not ... partial--literally, "Have ye not made distinctions" or "differences" (so as to prefer one to another)? So in Jude 22. in yourselves--in your minds, that is, according to your carnal inclination [Grotius]. are become judges of evil thoughts--The Greek words for "judges" and for "partial," are akin in sound and meaning. A similar translation ought therefore to be given to both. Thus, either for "judges," &c. translate, "distinguishers of (that is, according to your) evil thoughts"; or, do ye not partially judge between men, and are become evilly-thinking judges (Mr 7:21)? The "evil thoughts" are in the judges themselves; as in Lu 18:6, the Greek, "judge of injustice," is translated, "unjust judge." Alford and Wahl translate, "Did ye not doubt" (respecting your faith, which is inconsistent with the distinctions made by you between rich and poor)? For the Greek constantly means "doubt" in all the New Testament. So in Jas 1:6, "wavering." Mt 21:21; Ac 10:20; Ro 4:20, "staggered not." The same play on the same kindred words occurs in the Greek of Ro 14:10, 23, "judge ... doubteth." The same blame of being a judge, when one ought to be an obeyer, of the law is found in Jas 4:11.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves? Among yourselves. Do you not show that you are partial?

And are become judges of evil thoughts. There has been considerable difference of opinion respecting this passage, yet the sense seems not to be difficult. There are two ideas in it: one is, that they showed by this conduct that they took it upon themselves to be judges, to pronounce on the character of men who were strangers, and on their claims to respect, (compare Mt 7:1;) the other is, that in doing this, they were not guided by just rules, but that they did it under the influence of improper "thoughts." They did it not from benevolence; not from a desire to do justice to all according to their moral character; but from that improper feeling which leads us to show honour to men on account of their external appearance, rather than their real worth. The wrong in the case was in their presuming to "judge" these strangers at all, as they practically did by making this distinction, and then by doing it under the influence of such an unjust rule of judgment. The sense is, that we have no right to form a decisive judgment of men on their first appearance, as we do when we treat one with respect and the other not; and that when we make up our opinion in regard to them, it should be by some other means of judging than the question whether they can wear gold rings, and dress well, or not. Beza and Doddridge render this, "ye become judges who reason ill."

(+) "judges of evil thoughts" or, "judges who reason ill"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 4 Are ye not then partial - Ου διεκριθητε· Do ye not make a distinction, though the case has not been heard, and the law has not decided? Judges of evil thoughts? - Κριται διαλογισμων πονηρων· Judges of evil reasonings; that is, judges who reason wickedly; who, in effect, say in your hearts, we will espouse the cause of the rich, because they can befriend us; we will neglect that of the poor, because they cannot help us, nor have they power to hurt us.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 2:1-13

Chapter Outline All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. (1-13) The necessity of good works to prove the sincerity of faith, which otherwise will be of no more advantage than the faith of devils. (14-26) Verses 1-13 Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not agreeing…

Read the full comment on James 2:1-13 →

James 2:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐounotG3756

διεκρίθητεdiekrithētewere discriminatedG1252

ἐνenamongG1722

ἑαυτοῖςhe'autoisyourselvesG1438

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐγένεσθεegenestheyou have becomeG1096

κριταὶkritaijudgesG2923

διαλογισμῶνdialogismōnwith thoughtsG1261

πονηρῶν;¶ponērōnevil?G4190

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 2:4

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Job 34:19
How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
Matthew 7:1-5
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? …
Psalms 82:2
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
James 4:11
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Malachi 2:9
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
Psalms 58:1
To the chief Musician, Al–taschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
Psalms 109:31
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
James 1:1-27
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. …
Job 21:27
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

partial.
1:1-27; Job 34:19; Mal 2:9
judges.
4:11; Job 21:27; Ps 58:1; 82:2; 109:31; Mt 7:1-5; Joh 7:24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

James 2:3
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay 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:
James 2:4
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Read all of James 2

James 2:4 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	¿No juzgáis en vosotros mismos, y venís á ser jueces de pensamientos malos?
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	n’avez-vous pas fait une distinction en vous-mêmes, et n’êtes-vous pas devenus des juges ayant de mauvaises pensées?
German Elberfelder 1871	habt ihr nicht unter euch selbst einen Unterschied gemacht und seid Richter mit bösen Gedanken geworden?
Latin Clementine Vulgate	nonne judicatis apud vosmetipsos, et facti estis judices cogitationum iniquarum?