Albert Barnes Commentary James 2:4

"Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" — James 2:4 (ASV)

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 regarding this passage, yet its sense seems not to be difficult.

There are two ideas in it. One is that by this conduct, they showed they took it upon themselves to be judges—to pronounce on the character of men who were strangers and on their claims to respect, ; the other is that in doing this, they were not guided by just rules, but did it under the influence of improper "thoughts."

They did this not from benevolence, nor 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 this case was in their presuming to "judge" these strangers at all, as they practically did by making this distinction, and then by doing so 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 about them, it should be by some other means of judging than the question of whether they can wear gold rings and dress well, or not.

Beza and Doddridge render this, "You become judges who reason ill."

That is, "judges of evil thoughts," or "judges who reason ill."