James 2 · a question people ask
"and become judges with evil thoughts?" (2:4). Whose judging is 2:4 asking about?
The question of 2:4 is put to the you of 2:2-3, and the judging it asks about is what 2:3 tells: "and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool”" (2:3). Of that, 2:4 asks, "haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (2:4). These notes say no more of the judging than these verses do.
The verses
“For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in, and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool” haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”