James 4

Warning Against Worldliness

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Parallel theme: James 1:14, 4:3, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 7:23, 8:7, Galatians 5:17, Colossians 3:5, 1 Peter 1:14, 2:11, 2 Peter 3:3 +5

2 Ye 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. Parallel theme: James 1:5, John 4:10, 16:24

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Parallel theme: James 4:1, Job 35:12, Proverbs 15:8, 21:13, 21:27, Micah 3:4, Zechariah 7:13, Mark 10:38, 1 John 3:22, 5:14 +5

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally.? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. References God: James 1:27, Hosea 3:1, Matthew 6:24, Romans 5:10, 8:7, Galatians 1:10. Parallel theme: Matthew 16:4, John 7:7, 15:19, 17:14 +5

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? Spirit: Numbers 11:29, 1 Corinthians 6:19. Parallel theme: Genesis 8:21, Psalms 37:1, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Titus 3:3

6 But he giveth more graceGrace: χάρις (Charis). The Greek charis (χάρις) denotes unmerited divine favor—God's kindness toward the undeserving. Salvation is 'by grace through faith' (Ephesians 2:8), not human merit.. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Grace: Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5. Parallel theme: Job 22:29, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 18:12, 22:4, 29:23, Isaiah 2:17, Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11 +5

Submit to God

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. References God: 2 Chronicles 30:8, Psalms 66:3, Romans 10:3, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:6. Evil: Ephesians 4:27. Parallel theme: Job 1:21, Matthew 11:29, Hebrews 12:9, 1 Peter 2:13 +5

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. References God: Psalms 51:10, Hebrews 7:19. Sin: Ezekiel 18:31. Parallel theme: 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 145:18, Jeremiah 4:14, Zechariah 1:3, Malachi 3:7, Hebrews 10:22, 1 John 3:3 +5

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Parallel theme: Job 30:31, Psalms 119:67, 119:71, Proverbs 14:13, Jeremiah 31:9, Ezekiel 7:16, 16:63, Matthew 5:4, Luke 6:25, 16:25 +5

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., and he shall lift you up. References Lord: Psalms 27:6, 147:6. Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 2:9, Job 22:29, Psalms 113:7, Matthew 23:12, Luke 1:52, 14:11, 18:14, 1 Peter 5:6 +5

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the lawLaw: νόμος (Nomos). The Greek nomos (νόμος) denotes law—particularly the Mosaic law. While believers are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10)., and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. Judgment: James 5:9, Luke 6:37, Romans 2:1, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Ephesians 4:31. Evil: Psalms 140:11, 1 Peter 2:1. Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:11, 2 Timothy 3:3 +5

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to saveSave: σῴζω (Sozo). The Greek sozo (σῴζω) means to save—deliverance from sin, death, and judgment. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved' (Acts 16:31). The word also encompasses physical healing and spiritual wholeness. and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Salvation: Isaiah 33:22, Hebrews 7:25. Judgment: James 5:9, Romans 2:1, 14:4, 14:13. Word: Job 38:2. Parallel theme: Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5, Romans 9:20 +5

Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Go 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: Parallel theme: Proverbs 27:1, Ecclesiastes 2:1, Isaiah 24:2

14 Whereas 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. Parallel theme: James 1:10, Psalms 39:5, 89:47, 102:3, Isaiah 38:12, 1 Peter 1:24, 4:7, 1 John 2:17 +3

15 For that ye ought to say, If the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. will, we shall live, and do this, or that. References Lord: Proverbs 19:21, Lamentations 3:37, 1 Corinthians 4:19, 16:7. Parallel theme: Acts 18:21, Romans 1:10, 15:32, Hebrews 6:3 +3

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Evil: Psalms 52:7, Isaiah 47:10. Parallel theme: James 3:14, Psalms 52:1, Proverbs 25:14, 27:1, 1 Corinthians 5:6, Revelation 18:7 +3

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sinSin: ἁμαρτία (Hamartia). The Greek hamartia (ἁμαρτία) means sin—missing the target of God's perfection. 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23), requiring Christ's atoning sacrifice.. Sin: John 9:41, 15:22, Romans 7:13. Parallel theme: John 13:17, Romans 1:32, 2 Peter 2:21