James 2:4

Memory Verse

and are you not doubting among yourselves and have become judges of malignantly evil reasoning? James 2:4.

When we show partiality toward others based on their appearance, we set ourselves up as doubters and judges of malignant, evil reasoning. The NKJV translates the phrase as “shown partiality,” whereas the ESV uses “made distinctions” to render a word that is typically used to express doubting (Acts 10:20; Romans 14:23). In showing partiality, we are “thoroughly judging” in a negative sense, thereby justifying the unequal treatment of others solely on the basis of their appearance.

Most of our English translations chose the term “thoughts” to render a word that actually expresses inner deliberations or reasoning, primarily used to describe the reasoning within the heart of man. The concept of thought, however, is expressed by a different word, one that means “through the mind” (cf. Colossians 1:21). Here, James is addressing the act of making oneself a judge of another person’s inner deliberations or reasoning based upon outward appearance. Therefore, the one who shows partiality is sinning, for they are failing to treat others as equals within the body of Christ.