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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Warning Against Worldliness
1From whence are warres and contentions among you? are they not hence, euen of your pleasures, that fight in your members? 2Ye lust, and haue not: ye enuie, and desire immoderately, and cannot obtaine: ye fight and warre, and get nothing, because ye aske not. 3Ye aske, and receiue not, because ye aske amisse, that ye might lay the same out on your pleasures. 4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, knowe ye not that the amitie of the world is the enimitie of God? Whosoeuer therefore will be a friend of the world, maketh himselfe the enemie of God. 5Doe ye thinke that the Scripture sayeth in vaine, The spirit that dwelleth in vs, lusteth after enuie? 6But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore sayth, God resisteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.
Submit to God
7Submit your selues to God: resist the deuill, and he will flee from you. 8Drawe neere to God, and he will drawe neere to you. Clense your handes, ye sinners, and purge your hearts, ye double minded. 9Suffer afflictions, and sorrowe ye, and weepe: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your ioy into heauinesse. 10Cast downe your selues before the Lord, and he will lift you vp. 11Speake not euill one of another, brethren. He that speaketh euill of his brother, or he that condemneth his brother, speaketh euill of ye Law, and condemneth the Lawe: and if thou condemnest the Lawe, thou art not an obseruer of the Lawe, but a iudge. 12There is one Lawgiuer, which is able to saue, and to destroy. Who art thou that iudgest another man?
Boasting About Tomorrow
13Goe to now ye that say, To day or to morowe we will goe into such a citie, and continue there a yeere, and bye and sell, and get gaine, 14(And yet ye cannot tell what shalbe to morowe. For what is your life? It is euen a vapour that appeareth for a litle time, and afterward vanisheth away) 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, and, if we liue, we will doe this or that. 16But now ye reioyce in your boastings: all such reioycing is euill. 17Therefore, to him that knoweth how to doe well, and doeth it not, to him it is sinne.