James 4:8

The Biblical Illustrator - James 4:7-10

James 4:7-10Submit yourselves therefore to GodSubmitting ourselves to GodI.THE DUTY OF SUBMITTING OURSELVES TO GOD. This submission has its commencement and abiding root in the reception of Christ as a Saviour. The natural heart rebels against a gratuitous justification, against the renunciation of every personal claim, and the acceptance of a salvation for which we are wholly indebted to the mercy of God and the merit of Jesus. It cannot brook the humiliation of taking all as a free gift--of... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - James 4:8

James 4:8Draw nigh to GodDraw nigh to GodI.THE DUTY here required of us by the apostle principally implies a life of prayer and devotedness to God, as contrasted with the careless indifference or the dull formality of nominal or pretended Christians. II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT given to perform this duty. What great reason have we to be animated in our Christian warfare by the presence and support of the Lord of hosts! III. THE IMPORTANCE of obeying this injunction to our final happiness and... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Ver. 8. Draw nigh to God ] viz. In duty, and he will draw nigh to you in mercy. Sanctify him, Leviticus 10:3 , and he will satisfy you, Psalms 91:16 . The very Turks are remorseless to those that bear up, but they receive humiliation with much sweetness. Cleanse your hands ] For there is no coming near God, Joshua 24:19 . The very heathens knew this; and had... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - James 4:8

Draw nigh to God: Genesis 18:23, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 73:28, Psalms 145:18, Isaiah 29:13, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Hosea 6:1, Hosea 6:2, Zechariah 1:3, Malachi 3:7, Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 10:22 Cleanse: Job 9:30, Job 16:17, Job 17:9, Psalms 18:20, Psalms 24:4, Psalms 26:6, Psalms 73:13, Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 1:16, Isaiah 13:15, Matthew 15:2, Matthew 27:24, 1 Timothy 2:8, 1 Peter 3:21 purify: Psalms 51:6, Psalms 51:7, Psalms 51:10, Jeremiah 4:11, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil.And purify your hearts — From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:8

8. Draw nigh The reverse of resist. The former should be done to God, the latter to the devil the two sides of the great battle for possession of the human soul. The drawing nigh to God was ritually symbolized by the approach of the people, and especially the priests, to Jehovah in the holy of holies. But under the new dispensation, the holy of holies is wherever God’s omnipresence is, and the penitent heart is its own priest, able to offer an acceptable incense. Cleanse… hands… sinners... read more