jacques-2:4-bds

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:4

The copula ( καὶ ) of the Received Text is certainly spurious. It is found in K, L, but is wanting in א , A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic. B also omits the negative ου) . If this manuscript is followed, the sentence must be read as a direct statement, and not as interrogative. But if (with most manuscripts and editions) the interrogative be retained, the translation is still doubtful. διεκρίθητε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς may mean: read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 2:4

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 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 (Compare Matthew 7:1); the other is, that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 2:1-4

James 2:1-4. My brethren The equality of Christians intimated by this name is the ground of the admonition; have That is, hold; not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory Of which glory all who believe in him partake; with respect of persons So as to give undue preference to any on account of their external circumstances; honour none merely for being rich, despise none merely for being poor. Remember that the relation in which the meanest of your fellow-Christians... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 2:1-13

Favouritism destroys love (2:1-13)Standards of judgment in the church are not the same as those in the society round about. People ought not to be given important places in the church merely because they have important places in the society. Likewise poor people should not be ignored (2:1-4). God welcomes people into his kingdom regardless of wealth or social position, and gives his riches to them equally. James notes how strange it is that the Christians should show special favour to the rich,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 2:4

Are . . . partial . App-122 . of . Genitive of quality or character. App-17 . evil . App-128 . thoughts = reasonings. See Matthew 15:19 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 2:4

... do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?An alternative reading for the first clause is given in the ASV margin thus, "Are ye not divided?" The same word is translated "doubt"; and as Ward said:The distinctions (doubt) consist in the fact that faith is manifested by attendance of the assembly and worldliness by contempt of the poor. The inconsistency is analogous to that of the doubter.[11] Judges with evil thoughts ... The persons guilty of the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 2:4

James 2:4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves,— Do you not put a difference, or discrimination among yourselves on those accounts which are foreign to the cause? That this is the frequent sense of the words διακρινομενοι and διακρινεσθαι, see Act 15:9 where the words ουδεν διεκρινε are rendered, He put no difference betwixt us and them: and, Jud 1:22 where we read, Of some have compassion, διακρινομενοι, making a difference. An are become judges of evil thoughts?— That is, Who pass judgment... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:4

4. Are ye not . . . partial—literally, "Have ye not made distinctions" or "differences" (so as to prefer one to another)? So in :-. 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 (that is, according to your) evil thoughts" or,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:1-13

A. The Problem of Favoritism 2:1-13James’ previous reference to hypocritical religiosity (James 1:26-27) seems to have led him to deal with one form of this problem that existed among Christian Jews of his day. It is still with us today. It is the problem of inconsistent love for other people that manifests itself in how we treat them. James wrote this chapter to exhort his readers to deal with this very basic inconsistency in their lives and so progress toward spiritual maturity."The... read more