James 2:4

Translations

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

…then did you not make a distinction among yourselves and become judges with evil reasonings?

Latin

…nonne judicatis apud vosmetipsos, et facti estis judices cogitationum iniquarum?

Interlinear

Greek

English

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

Notes

James 2:3–4

People 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).

James 2:1–4

James uses a realistic example to explain why we must not favor the rich.

Theme notes and profiles

James, Brother of Jesus Concern for the Poor Faith and Good Deeds Oppression of God’s People Religious Hypocrisy Social Justice True Justice Wealth and Poverty in the Wisdom Literature

Related verses

John 7:24
Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
Job 34:19
…who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
Matthew 7:1–5
“Do not judge, or you will be judged.
Malachi 2:9
“So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”
James 4:11
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.
Psalm 82:2
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Psalm 58:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
Job 21:27
Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
James 1:1–27
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
Psalm 109:31
For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.

Glossary

Letter of James

Topics

Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Discrimination Faith: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Duty To Respect of Persons: (Partiality)) The Poor: Despise Not Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning

James 2:4

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