James wants his readers to see what their seating choices reveal. The question has two parts. First, they have made a distinction among themselves (the Greek diakrino). Second, they have become judges whose verdicts come from wrong thinking. Barnes sees both ideas: they took it on themselves to judge strangers by appearance, and they did it "from that improper feeling which leads us to show honor to men on account of their external appearance, rather than their real worth." Gill renders the phrase "are distinguishers by evil thoughts," an evil way of thinking that one person is better than another. The question lets their own consciences give the answer.

James answers in the verses that follow. He reminds them that God has chosen "the poor of this world rich in faith" (James 2:5), and then says plainly, "But ye have despised the poor" (James 2:6). He holds up "the royal law," "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (James 2:8), and gives the verdict: "if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors" (James 2:9).

James calls the gathering their "assembly," and Barnes notes that the Greek word is synagoge: "this is the only place in the New Testament where the word 'synagogue' is applied to the Christian church." Barnes explains that the gold ring was "Indicative of rank or property," a common ornament of the rich. "Respect of persons" (James 2:1) is language the Old Testament uses for unjust judging. Barnes points to passages such as Leviticus 19:15, "thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty," and Proverbs 24:23, "It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment."

James ties this question to who Jesus is. He began, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons" (James 2:1). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary says such favoritism does not agree with "their profession of being disciples of the lowly Jesus." When all glory belongs to the Lord, no one in His assembly deserves the best seat because of a ring or a robe.

The passage goes on to show God's own way. God chose the poor to be "rich in faith" (James 2:5), and "mercy rejoiceth against judgment" (James 2:13). Judging people by appearance runs against the heart of the God who has shown mercy to us.