James (Jacob) 4

Commentary

Warning against Pride

1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Drawing Near to God

7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow

13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

A Warning against Pride

1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? 2 You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. 3 You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures. 4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Drawing Near to God

7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

11 Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
(Proverbs 27:1)

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” 14 Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 15 For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” 16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. 17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.

A Warning against Pride

1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? a 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

4 You adulteresses! b Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself c an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit d He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:

“God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.” e

Drawing Near to God

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
(Proverbs 27:1)

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” 14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

 

Footnotes:

1 a Literally passions warring among your members?
4 b See Hosea 3:1.
4 c Or is appointed
5 d Or the spirit
6 e Proverbs 3:34 (see also LXX)

Warning against Pride

1Whence are wars and fightings among you? not thence -- out of your passions, that are as soldiers in your members? 2ye desire, and ye have not; ye murder, and are zealous, and are not able to attain; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because of your not asking; 3ye ask, and ye receive not, because evilly ye ask, that in your pleasures ye may spend it. 4Adulterers and adulteresses! have ye not known that friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever, then, may counsel to be a friend of the world, an enemy of God he is set. 5Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' 6and greater grace he doth give, wherefore he saith, 'God against proud ones doth set Himself up, and to lowly ones He doth give grace?'

Drawing Near to God

7be subject, then, to God; stand up against the devil, and he will flee from you; 8draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you; cleanse hands, ye sinners! and purify hearts, ye two-souled! 9be exceeding afflicted, and mourn, and weep, let your laughter to mourning be turned, and the joy to heaviness; 10be made low before the Lord, and He shall exalt you.

11Speak not one against another, brethren; he who is speaking against a brother, and is judging his brother, doth speak against law, and doth judge law, and if law thou dost judge, thou art not a doer of law but a judge; 12one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; thou -- who art thou that dost judge the other?

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow

13Go, now, ye who are saying, 'To-day and to-morrow we will go on to such a city, and will pass there one year, and traffic, and make gain;' 14who do not know the thing of the morrow; for what is your life? for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing; 15instead of your saying, 'If the Lord may will, we shall live, and do this or that;' 16and now ye glory in your pride; all such glorying is evil; 17to him, then, knowing to do good, and not doing, sin it is to him.

The Favor of God Paraphrase

Conflict and Humility

¹ Where do all these fights and quarrels among you come from? Don’t they arise from your own desires that are constantly battling inside of you? ² You want something but you can’t get it, so you kill! You covet, but you cannot have what you desire, so you quarrel and fight. You don’t have what you want because you do not ask God! ³ When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your own pleasures.

You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God! Or do you think Scripture says without reason that He jealously longs for the spirit He has caused to dwell in us? But He gives us more grace! That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Submit yourselves, then, to God! Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded! Grieve, mourn, and wail! Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up!

Judging Others

¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another! Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil! ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Footnotes

1.Adulterous people: This refers to spiritual unfaithfulness, likening turning away from God to adultery, a common biblical metaphor for breaking covenant faithfulness.

2.Friendship with the world: The “world” here refers to the sinful systems and values that oppose God’s kingdom.

3.He gives more grace: God’s grace continually exceeds our failures, giving us the strength to resist worldly temptations.

4.Resist the devil: The Greek verb for “resist” (antistēmi) implies standing firmly against an enemy, reflecting spiritual warfare language.

5.Double-minded: This term implies divided loyalty, wavering between devotion to God and worldly desires.

6.Mist: The Greek word for “mist” here (atmis) emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life, conveying its fragility.

7.Boasting in arrogant schemes: The focus on human plans without recognizing God’s sovereignty is condemned, pointing to a deeper need for humility in trusting God’s timing.

The F.O.G Commentary:

What is the meaning of James 4?

Introduction to James 4

James 4 stands as one of the most penetrating chapters in the New Testament, where Ya’akov (James), the brother of Yeshua, delivers a piercing examination of the human heart and its relationship with God. The chapter masterfully weaves together themes of spiritual adultery, pride, worldliness, and submission to divine authority, creating a powerful call to authentic faith that transforms both internal attitudes and external behaviors.

The significance of this chapter lies in its uncompromising challenge to believers about their divided loyalties between God and the world. Through pointed questions and vivid metaphors, Ya’akov exposes the root causes of conflict, both within the community of faith and within individual hearts, while offering the divine solution of humble submission to God’s authority.

Context of James 4

This chapter falls within the larger context of Ya’akov’s epistle to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” (James 1:1), written during a time when the early Messianic community faced various trials and temptations. The immediate context shows Ya’akov addressing practical issues of faith, particularly how believers should relate to God, each other, and the world around them.

The broader biblical context reveals strong connections to wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, while also echoing prophetic themes about spiritual faithfulness versus adultery. Ya’akov’s teaching style here reflects both his Jewish heritage and his role as a leader in the Jerusalem congregation, combining practical wisdom with profound spiritual insight.

This chapter also bridges the gap between Old Testament prophetic calls to repentance and New Covenant realities. It demonstrates how the eternal principles of God’s kingdom apply in the context of the Messianic community, showing that the heart issues addressed by the prophets remain relevant under the New Covenant.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • πόλεμοι (polemoi) – “wars” (v.1): This term refers not just to military conflicts but to any bitter contention or strife. Its use alongside μάχαι (machai, “fights”) creates a powerful image of both large-scale and personal conflicts, suggesting that all human strife shares a common spiritual root.
  • ἡδοναί (hēdonai) – “pleasures” (v.1): The root of our English word “hedonism,” this term denotes sensual pleasures that wage war within our members. Its military metaphor (στρατευομένων – strateuomenōn) suggests an organized campaign against spiritual health.
  • μοιχαλίδες (moichalides) – “adulteresses” (v.4): A feminine plural form used metaphorically to address the entire community, drawing on the Old Testament imagery of Israel as God’s bride. This powerful term indicts not just unfaithfulness but active betrayal of covenant relationship.
  • φθόνον (phthonon) – “enviously” (v.5): This term goes beyond mere jealousy to describe a malicious desire to deprive others of what they have. Its use here connects to the Spirit’s yearning for our complete devotion.
  • ὑπερηφάνοις (hyperēphanois) – “proud” (v.6): Literally meaning “showing oneself above others,” this term combines ὑπέρ (over) with φαίνω (to appear), describing not just pride but self-exaltation above others.
  • ἀντίστητε (antistēte) – “resist” (v.7): A military term meaning to “stand against” or “oppose,” suggesting active, deliberate resistance rather than passive avoidance. Its imperative form demands decisive action.
  • καταλαλεῖτε (katalaleite) – “speak evil” (v.11): This compound word combines κατά (against) with λαλέω (to speak), emphasizing deliberate verbal attacks that tear down others. Its present tense suggests ongoing action that must be stopped.
  • ἀτμίς (atmis) – “vapor” (v.14): A rare word describing steam or smoke, chosen for its emphasis on both insubstantiality and brevity. Its use here creates a powerful metaphor for human life’s transience.

Compare & Contrast

  • The phrase “at war” (πολεμοῦντες) in verse 1 employs military terminology rather than more general conflict terms like διαφωνέω (disagree) or ἐρίζω (quarrel), emphasizing the serious, destructive nature of internal desires.
  • The accusation “you adulteresses” uses μοιχαλίδες rather than πόρναι (prostitutes), connecting to covenant unfaithfulness rather than general sexual immorality, echoing prophetic language about Israel’s spiritual infidelity.
  • The command to “draw near to God” (v.8) uses ἐγγίσατε rather than προσέρχομαι, echoing temple approach language and suggesting both physical and spiritual movement toward God.
  • The metaphor “vapor” (ἀτμίς) was chosen over σκιά (shadow) or καπνός (smoke), emphasizing both brevity and insubstantiality rather than just transience.
  • The command against judging uses κρίνων rather than δοκιμάζων (testing), indicating not discernment but presumptuous judgment usurping God’s role.
  • The description of the proud uses ὑπερηφάνοις rather than μέγας (great) or ὑψηλός (high), emphasizing the internal attitude rather than external position.
  • The call to submission uses ὑποτάγητε rather than δουλεύω (serve), suggesting willing alignment rather than forced servitude.

James 4 Unique Insights

The structure of this chapter reveals a sophisticated rhetorical strategy common in ancient Jewish wisdom literature. Ya’akov employs a series of diatribal questions, direct addresses, and imperatives that mirror the style of the prophets while incorporating elements of Greco-Roman moral philosophy.

The early church father Origen saw in the chapter’s opening discussion of conflicts a profound analysis of the soul’s internal warfare, connecting it to Paul’s description in Romans 7. His interpretation influenced later patristic understanding of spiritual warfare and the role of desires in moral behavior.

The Dead Sea Scrolls provide interesting parallels to Ya’akov’s teachings about community conflict and divine judgment. The Community Rule (1QS) similarly emphasizes humility and submission to divine authority as essential for community harmony, though without Ya’akov’s explicit connection to the Messiah’s grace.

The chapter’s use of merchant imagery in verses 13-16 gains deeper significance when understood against the background of ancient trading practices. Merchants would typically boast about future profits and travel plans, making Ya’akov’s rebuke particularly relevant to his audience familiar with commercial culture in the Diaspora.

The concept of spiritual adultery draws on a rich prophetic tradition but uniquely applies it to individual believers rather than just the nation of Israel. This personal application of corporate imagery represents an important development in New Covenant understanding of individual spiritual responsibility.

James 4 Connections to Yeshua

Ya’akov’s teaching about humility and divine exaltation directly echoes his brother Yeshua’s teachings (Matthew 23:12). This connection is particularly poignant given Ya’akov’s own journey from skepticism to faith in his brother as Messiah, demonstrating how thoroughly he had internalized Yeshua’s teachings.

The chapter’s emphasis on submission to God’s will reflects Yeshua’s own example, particularly in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42). This submission theme connects to the broader narrative of Yeshua’s incarnation and sacrificial death, showing how His followers are called to embody the same humble obedience that characterized their Master.

The warning against worldliness and divided loyalty powerfully connects to Yeshua’s teaching that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Ya’akov develops this theme to show how the Messiah’s lordship demands complete allegiance, affecting every aspect of life from business plans to interpersonal relationships.

James 4 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter resonates deeply with wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs’ teachings about pride and humility (Proverbs 3:34, which Ya’akov directly quotes). The warnings about boasting about tomorrow echo Proverbs 27:1.

The imagery of spiritual adultery draws heavily from prophetic literature, particularly Hosea and Ezekiel. The call to “cleanse your hands” and “purify your hearts” echoes both priestly purification requirements (Exodus 30:19-21) and prophetic calls to repentance (Isaiah 1:16).

The theme of divine resistance to the proud while giving grace to the humble connects to numerous psalms and prophetic passages, showing how this principle operates consistently throughout Scripture as a fundamental aspect of God’s character.

James 4 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine the true allegiance of our hearts. Where do our desires truly lie? The internal wars Ya’akov describes often manifest in our lives through subtle compromises and divided loyalties. His call to wholehearted devotion invites us to honest self-examination and renewed commitment to God.

The promise that God gives more grace offers hope in our struggle against worldliness and pride. When we humble ourselves and draw near to God, He faithful draws near to us, providing the strength and grace needed for transformation. This process of submission and drawing near isn’t a one-time event but a daily choice to align our will with His.

The reminder of life’s brevity in the metaphor of a vapor challenges us to live with eternal perspective. How different would our plans and priorities look if we consistently acknowledged “If the Lord wills” not just in words but in heart attitude? This teaching invites us to hold our plans loosely while holding firmly to God’s sovereign guidance.

Did You Know

  • The term “wars” used in verse 1 (πόλεμοι) was the same word used to describe major military conflicts, suggesting that Ya’akov saw interpersonal conflicts as equally serious and destructive.
  • The metaphor of spiritual adultery drew on a rich tradition in Jewish literature where Israel’s unfaithfulness to God was often portrayed as marital infidelity, making this accusation particularly powerful for Jewish readers.
  • The command to “resist the devil” uses military terminology that would have reminded readers of Roman military formations standing against enemy attacks.
  • The reference to merchants making plans reflects the significant Jewish presence in ancient trading networks throughout the Roman Empire, making this example particularly relevant to Ya’akov’s audience.
  • The phrase “if the Lord wills” (Deo volente in Latin) became a common Christian expression, often abbreviated as “D.V.” in written communications throughout church history.
  • The “vapor” metaphor for life’s brevity uses a term (ἀτμίς) that appears only twice in the New Testament, here and in Acts 2:19 where it refers to the smoke of divine judgment.
  • The structure of the chapter follows a pattern common in ancient Jewish wisdom literature, alternating between rebuke and instruction in a way that mirrors prophetic discourse.
  • The command against judging others uses legal terminology that would have reminded readers of formal court proceedings, emphasizing the serious nature of presuming to judge others.
  • The discussion of business plans reflects ancient Mediterranean commercial practices where merchants would often boast about their trading ventures before embarking on them.
  • The call to submit to God uses terminology that in secular Greek often described military surrender, suggesting complete capitulation to divine authority.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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