James 2:4 kjv

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

James 2:4 nkjv

have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:4 niv

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

James 2:4 esv

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

James 2:4 nlt

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

James 2 verses

James 2 4 Meaning

James 2:4 directly rebukes believers who show partiality, especially favoritism towards the wealthy and neglect of the poor within their assemblies. The verse highlights that such discriminatory actions are not merely accidental missteps but stem from an inner corruption, revealing that they have adopted a judging posture rooted in malicious, selfish, and ungodly internal reasonings. Their judgments are perverted, contrasting sharply with the impartial love and justice characteristic of God.

James 2 4 Context

James 2:4 is part of a broader discourse in James 2:1-13 that emphatically condemns favoritism, particularly based on social or economic status. James has just described a scenario (Jas 2:2-3) where a wealthy man receives preferential treatment and a poor man is dismissed and dishonored within the Christian assembly. This verse serves as a direct, rhetorical question challenging the consistency of their faith with such behavior. The core issue is the manifestation of true faith, demonstrating that genuine faith, one that unites with Christ, cannot coexist with partiality. James implies that those who show favoritism are setting themselves up as judges, yet their judgments are skewed by worldly, unholy motivations, not divine wisdom or love. This behavior directly violates the "royal law" of loving one's neighbor as oneself (Jas 2:8) and marks them as transgressors.

James 2 4 Word analysis

• and have become: Implies a settled state or position adopted by those exhibiting partiality. It suggests they have positioned themselves in a certain role or function, rather than simply having a fleeting thought.
• judges: (Greek: kritai - κριταί) Refers to those who make determinations, distinctions, decisions, or even condemnations. In this context, it's not about formal legal judgment but about their discriminatory assessments and preferential treatment of people. They are, in essence, sitting in judgment of others, valuing some over others, usurping a role that belongs to God who is the ultimate, impartial Judge.
• with: (Greek: en - ἐν) Meaning "in" or "by." Here, it points to the sphere or accompanying condition of their judging – it's permeated by their evil thoughts.
• evil: (Greek: ponērōn - πονηρῶν) This adjective, used frequently in the New Testament, describes something fundamentally bad, wicked, malicious, or morally depraved. It's not just "mistaken" or "unwise" but speaks to a deep-seated depravity that causes harm or is inherently vicious. It denotes the corrupt nature of the thoughts.
• thoughts: (Greek: dialogismōn - διαλογισμῶν) Plural of dialogismos, meaning inner reasoning, reflection, deliberation, or even internal debate. It can range from pondering to perverse schemings. Here, paired with ponērōn, it refers to their wicked reasonings, corrupt calculations, and ungodly motives that underpin their partiality. These are the internal deliberations that lead to the external act of discrimination.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• have become judges: This phrase signifies that the believers, by making distinctions based on outward appearance, have taken upon themselves the role of discerning and deciding value among people, effectively playing God. This self-appointed judgment is illegitimate, especially given their flawed basis for judgment.
• with evil thoughts: This powerfully reveals the root cause of the partiality. The problem isn't just the action of showing favoritism, but the corrupt internal reasoning and motivation that leads to it. It shows a heart that has entertained and embraced sinful biases and prejudices, contradicting the transforming power of the Gospel that should lead to impartial love.

James 2 4 Bonus section

The rhetorical nature of the question in James 2:4 ("have you not...?"), particularly with the Greek structure (où diékrithe an... ; and "did you not separate within yourselves...?"), is a strong device James uses to condemn the practice, expecting an affirmative and convicting answer from his readers. This indicates that their partiality was blatant and evident. Moreover, this verse lays the groundwork for James's famous assertion that "faith apart from works is dead" (Jas 2:26). The partiality born from "evil thoughts" is presented as a 'work' (or rather, a 'non-work' of true faith) that exposes the deadness of a superficial belief system. It highlights that the integrity of Christian worship and community life is compromised when favoritism is practiced. The contrast between Christ, the "Lord of Glory," who welcomed all, and the believers' partiality, is stark and central to James's argument for an ethical outworking of faith.

James 2 4 Commentary

James 2:4 serves as a searing indictment of the hypocritical inconsistency prevalent among certain believers in the early church. They were attempting to blend the inclusive, loving, and impartial nature of the Gospel with the discriminatory, status-conscious values of the surrounding world. James reveals that partiality is not merely a superficial error in conduct but stems from a deeply ingrained internal moral failure. To make distinctions based on wealth is to think and reason like the world, not like Christ. Such "judgments" betray a lack of spiritual discernment and a heart infected by worldliness, contrasting sharply with the divine love that sees all individuals equally precious in God's sight. The rhetorical question drives home the absurdity and sinfulness of their behavior. It underscores that true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the "Lord of glory," cannot coexist with any form of partiality.

• Examples:
  • A church giving more weight to a rich donor's opinion over a regular attendee's.
  • Favoring attractive or popular individuals for leadership roles over humble but qualified servants.
  • Treating a poorly dressed visitor with indifference or disdain compared to a well-dressed one.