James 2:4

James 2:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
• New International Version (NIV)have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
• English Standard Version (ESV)have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
• New King James Version (NKJV)have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Context of James 2:4

2For if there come unto your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3And 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: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5Hearken, 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? 6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

James 2:4 word by word

καὶ οὐ διεκρίθητε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ ἐγένεσθε κριταὶ διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν;¶Read the interlinear

• Are yeδιακρίνωdiakrinō · to judge/doubtG1252
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thenκαίkai · andG2532
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• yourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• are becomeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• judgesκριτήςkritēs · judgeG2923
• of evilπονηρόςponēros · evil/badG4190
• thoughtsδιαλογισμόςdialogismos · reasoningG1261

Cross-references for James 2:4

• James 1:1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
• Job 34:19How 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.
• Malachi 2:9Therefore 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.
• Job 21:27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
• Psalms 58:1Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
• Psalms 82:2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
• Psalms 109:31For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
• Matthew 7:1Judge not, that ye be not judged.
• John 7:24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Commentaries on James 2:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Are ye not then partial - · Do ye not make a distinction, though the case has not been heard, and the law has not decided? Judges of evil thoughts? - · 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Are 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4People often focus on wealthy individuals due to their social status, political power, and potential generosity. By serving and publicly honoring the wealthy, the church could receive economic benefits. James warns that this favoritism shows evil motives, creating a divide between loyalty to God and a desire for worldly wealth (1:6; 4:4).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. 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…Read the comment

Topics related to James 2:4

• Commandments
• Faith
• Poor
• Respect of Persons
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Convince
• Dead
• Draw
• Justify
• Offend
• Respect
• Rich
• Sister
• Papyrus
• Romans, Epistle to the

Commentaries on James 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings