James 4
James 4 is part of “Worldliness and Pride” (4) in the outline of James.
James 4 summary
In this chapter we are directed to consider, I. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against them (Jam 4:1-5). II. We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to God (Jam 4:4-10).
Read the full introduction
In this chapter we are directed to consider, I. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against them (Jam 4:1-5). II. We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to God (Jam 4:4-10). III. All detraction and rash judgment of others are to be carefully avoided (Jam 4:11, Jam 4:12). IV. We must preserve a constant regard, and pay the utmost deference to the disposals of divine Providence (Jam 4:13 to the end).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in James 4
James 4 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Warning Against Worldliness
1Whence [come] wars and whence [come] fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your pleasures that war in your members? 2Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend [it] in your pleasures. 4Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. 5Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? 6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
Submit to God
7Be subject therefore unto God; but 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 doubleminded. 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 exalt you. 11Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12One [only] is the lawgiver and judge, [even] he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?
Boasting About Tomorrow
13Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: 14whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that. 16But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil. 17To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.