Devine Scripture

James 2:4

What does James 2:4 mean?

A plain-English look at James 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 2:4 means

James unmasks the heart behind partial treatment: making distinctions and acting as judges with evil thoughts. The problem is not discernment itself but the motives—calculating how someone’s status might benefit us and adjusting our kindness accordingly. That posture turns the church into a courtroom where appearances and self-advantage rule. To “judge with evil thoughts” is to use people rather than to love them, and to forget that the Lord alone is Judge. Faithfulness requires us to abandon self-serving evaluations and embrace God’s verdict on human worth: all bear His image and stand equally in need of mercy freely given in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Is there not a division in your minds? have you not become judges with evil thoughts?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

ye did not judge fully in yourselves, and did become ill-reasoning judges.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do you not judge within yourselves, and are become judges of unjust thoughts?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

have ye not made a difference among yourselves, and become judges having evil thoughts?

Context

This verse interprets the scenario of verses 2–3, moving from the outward act to the inward reasoning. It prepares for the theological correction in verses 5–7, where James contrasts human partiality with God’s gracious choice and points to the typical behavior of the rich toward believers. By naming the sin at the level of intentions, James shows why the practice cannot be excused as mere social custom. The following verses will deepen the indictment and redirect the community toward God’s priorities.

v.3and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool;

v.4This passage

v.5Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 7:1

    Judge not, that ye be not judged.

  • Psalms 109:31

    For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, To save him from them that judge his soul.

  • Job 21:27

    Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me.

  • Psalms 58:1

    Do ye indeed in silence speak righteousness? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

  • 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 had respect of persons in the law.

  • Job 34:19

    That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.

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