James 4:7

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:1-17

This chapter, to the end of v.6, continues the subject begun in Ch.3:13. Sensual. devilish wisdom was accompanied by wars and fightings: but this proceeded from the lusts of the flesh active within the hearts of men. We must remember that James is not addressing the assembly of God, but Jews in the synagogue who at least acknowledged the Name of Jesus. It would be most abnormal and reprehensible if any assembly of saints of God were guilty of such contention. The flesh here is exposed in its... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 4:1-17

WORLDLY MINDEDNESS Like other divisions of this epistle this is so connected with the last, and grows out of it so naturally, that it is difficult to say where the division occurs. The writer had been speaking of envying and strife in expression through the tongue, and now puts in his plow deeper to show their source in the antecedent condition of the heart. “Lust” is not to be taken in the limited sense of sensuality, but in the broader sense of worldly pleasure or gratification of any kind.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - James 4:1-17

"What Is Your Life?" Jam 4:14 The question may be asked in many tones. It may be asked rebukingly, pensively, comfortingly; we may throw into the inquiry a tone of music and most solemn wonder. There is no doubt as to how the question was asked by the Apostle. He was taking a rather humbling view of life. He was addressing certain persons who were boastfully saying, "To-day, or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain," descendants of the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - James 4:7-12

(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. (10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (11) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - James 4:7

Be subject therefore to God; humble yourselves in his sight, considering your own nothing. (Witham) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - James 4:1-10

1-10 Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God. And let us beware that we do not abuse or misuse the mercies received, by the disposition of the heart when prayers are granted When men ask of God prosperity, they often ask with wrong... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - James 4:1-99

James 4 THE LAST NOTE struck, as we closed chapter 3 was that of peace. The first note of chapter 4 is the exact opposite, that of war. What lay behind the peace was the purity that is the first mark of the wisdom that is from above. So now we discover that what lies behind the wars and fightings, which are so common among the professed people of God, is the impure lust of the human heart, the lust connected with that wisdom which is earthly, sensual, devilish. You will notice that the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - James 4:6-10

A humble state of mind demanded of Christians: v. 6. But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. v. 7. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. v. 8. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. v. 9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. v. 10.... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - James 4:4-17

VIII. SIXTH ADMONITIONEXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE ADDRESSED TO THE JEWISH CHRISTIANS AND THE JEWS IN REFERENCE TO THEIR BEING ON THE WAY TO APOSTASY. THEY ARE ADDRESSED AS (RELIGIOUS) ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, AS APOSTATES. THEIR FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD, WHICH IS THE CAUSE OF THEIR IMPENDING APOSTASY, THEY WERE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS ENMITY OF GOD, TO REPENT OF IT AND TO RETURN FROM THEIR WORLDLY RUNNING AND WANDERING TO THE QUIETNESS OF A CONDUCT MARKED BY HUMILITY AND RESIGNATION TO THE DIVINE... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - James 4:1-10

“Draw Nigh to God” James 4:1-10 The Apostle returns to “the jealousy and faction” of the previous chapter, James 3:14 , and says that these evils are traceable to lust , that is, to inordinate desire. The restless inward war is the prolific parent of failure in speech and act. If we would pray more and better, we should soon find the inner fires dying down. In James 4:5 , r.v., margin, we learn that God has placed His Spirit within us, and that He yearns for complete control over our... read more

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