James 4:1-10 Meaning and Commentary INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 4 In this chapter the apostle gives the true cause of contentions and strifes; and cautions against intemperance, covetousness, pride, detraction, and vain confidence.
Full Answer
What does James 4 10 mean?
What Does James 4:10 Mean? Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. Not only is salvation given to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as a free gift of God's grace, but His ongoing favour is readily available to every believer, as we journey along the path of life.
What does James chapter 4 mean in the Bible?
What does James chapter 4 mean? The book of James is about specifically understanding what saving faith looks like. How does faith in Christ reveal itself in a believer's life? What choices does real trust in God lead us to make? Those are the questions James answers.
What is the meaning of verse 10 of the Bible?
This phrase in verse 10 is a promise that God will elevate us to new spiritual heights if we humble ourselves before Him.
What is the Book of James about in the Bible?
James addresses his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the known world. The book of James is about what it means for a Christian to live a life of complete trust in God. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where James described the self-seeking wisdom of the world.
What is the meaning of James Chapter 4?
In this section, James says his readers are guilty of behaving from fundamentally wrong motives. They are acting toward each other in bad faith. He says they seek both to fulfill their evil desires and to have friendship with the world, thereby rejecting their spiritual yearning for God.
What does being double-minded mean?
Definition of double-minded 1 : wavering in mind : undecided, vacillating a double-minded man unstable in all his ways — James 1:8 (Revised Standard Version) 2 : marked by hypocrisy : insincere.
Where in the Bible does it say draw near to me and I will draw near to you?
James 4:8. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Who is the audience in James 4?
The epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus (James the Just), and the audience is generally considered to be Jewish Christians, who were dispersed outside Israel.
What does the Bible say about being 2 faced?
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
What is the crown of life?
The Crown of Life, also called the Martyr's Crown, is referred to in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10; it is bestowed upon "those who persevere under trials." Jesus references this crown when he tells the Church in Smyrna to "not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...
What is the meaning of draw near?
to come closerDefinition of draw near : to come closer : to approach He became more nervous as the day of the wedding drew near.
What are the benefits of drawing near to God?
13 Amazing Benefits of Drawing Near to GodGod will draw close to you.You will hear God with clarity.Bearing fruit for God's Kingdom.Aligning yourself to God's will for your life.You'll attain spiritual wisdom.The blessings of God.Prosperity.Strength.More items...•
Why do we need to draw closer to God?
Having faith draws you near to God because you believe what He says. Choosing to make Him Lord over your life means you need to surrender your will to His will. In my life, He has proven over and over that His ways are better than mine.
What does the book of James teach us?
The main theme of the book of James is receiving wisdom from God's Word. Wisdom from God results in a life that bears fruit. Wisdom from God's Word that affects every area of life and results in a life the is fruitful and thrives even in the face of trials.
Who wrote James Chapter 4?
James 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle of James in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus, written in Jerusalem between 48 and 61 CE.
What does James mean in the Bible?
supplanterJames is a classic, traditional and Biblical name (Saint James, of course, was one of Jesus' 12 apostles) meaning "supplanter" or "replacer." It's derived from the Latin Jacomus which also means "may God protect."
What is the book of James about?
The book of James is about specifically understanding what saving faith looks like. How does faith in Christ reveal itself in a believer's life? What choices does real trust in God lead us to make? Those are the questions James answers. Most scholars believe the writer was Jesus' half-brother, a son born to Joseph and Mary after Jesus' birth. James may not have come to believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the resurrection. Eventually, though, he became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. This is possibly the earliest-written of all the New Testament books, around AD 40–50. James addresses his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the known world.
What does James' letter to Jews mean?
The book of James is about what it means for a Christian to live a life of complete trust in God. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where James described the self-seeking wisdom of the world.
When did James come to believe Jesus was the Messiah?
James may not have come to believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the resurrection. Eventually, though, he became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. This is possibly the earliest-written of all the New Testament books, around AD 40–50.
Why does James say "You do not have, because you do not ask"?
Because you dug the hole and worked to get a drink you would rather have that than the pure water which is God Himself. That is ultimate evil. James goes on to say that rather than trying in your own power, which leads to fighting and broken relationships, ask God. He says, You do not have, because you do not ask.
What does James warn us about?
James warns his people and us as well to the danger of misplaced affection. The objects of our misplaced affections come in all shapes and sizes. These objects that we so many times find ourselves attracted to are really idols. When our affections are fixed on anything over and above God we are idol worshippers.
What does Jeremiah 2:13 mean?
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV) for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Here is the picture of evil in the sight of God. You’re out in the desert. It’s dry it’s hot and water is very scarce.
What does it mean to humble yourself before God?
In 2 Chronicles, we read that humbling oneself before God is linked with earnest prayer, seeking God's face, and turning from every wicked way... for humbling oneself before the Lord, enables the grace of God to flow freely into our hearts and breathes spiritual revival into our soul.
What does James say about grace?
James reminds us of an important biblical principle that is found throughout the pages of Scripture, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.". The Lord withstands self-important, arrogant men, but supplies His sufficient grace to those that are meek and lowly of heart.
What is salvation given to all who believe in Jesus Christ?
Verse Thoughts. Not only is salvation given to all who believe on the Lord Je sus Christ as a free gift of God's grace, but His ongoing favour is readily available to every believer, as we journey along the path of life. Having been born again of the Spirit, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart, ...
What does James say about living that way?
James says that to live that way is adultery, but God gives grace. Christians should repent and move close to God again. We should trust Him to provide, to be the Judge, and to lift us up in His time. In humility, we must acknowledge that all of our plans are dependent on Him, and He can change them at any moment.
Why did James and James fight?
They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It's ''cheating'' on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God's grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
What does James ask us to consider?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away: James asked us to consider the fragility of human life, and the fact that we live and move only at the permission of God. James does not discourage us from planning and doing, only from planning and doing apart from reliance on God. i.
What does James seem to be bothered by?
i. “James seems to be bothered more by the selfish spirit and bitterness of the quarrels than by the rights and wrongs of the various viewpoints.” (Moo) ii. Almost all who have such a critical and contentious attitude claim they are prompted and supported by the Spirit of God.
What does it mean to submit to God?
This means to order yourself under God, to surrender to Him as a conquering King, and start receiving the benefits of His reign. i.
What does "such friendship with the world" mean?
i. “Such friendship with the world means that one is on a footing of hostility towards God, for it defies His will and despises His purpose; disguise it as one may, it is an implicit challenge to God.” (Moffatt) ii. The strong statements James made here remind us that all was not beautiful in the early church.
What does the Bible say about uncertainty?
The uncertainty of life should make us ready to recognize what is good and then do it. “This uncertainty of life is not a cause either for fear or inaction. It is always a reason for realizing our complete dependence on God.” (Moffatt) b. To him it is sin: Jesus told a story with much the same point in Luke 12:41-48.
Who said God resists the proud?
i. James used a powerful word in the phrase, resists the proud: “Sets himself in battle array against him.” (Clarke) “God resisteth the proud, ‘setteth himself in battle-array against such,’ above all other sorts of sinner, as invaders of his territories, and foragers or plunderers of his chief treasures.” (Trapp) c.
Do not speak evil of one another?
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
What does James 1:20 mean?
And, you cannot grow in your Christian life and you will not bear fruit for God if you engage in unchecked anger and conflict at home or in the church. “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” ( James 1:20 ). So James says that self versus self is at the heart of all relational conflicts.
What does James say about your pleasures?
James calls this enemy “your pleasures” (4:1, 3). We get the word hedonism from this Greek word. It implies that the enemy poses as a friendly ally, someone who will help you enjoy life better. He whispers, “Follow me, and I’ll give you the pleasure you’ve been missing.” And, if you follow the path of “your pleasures,” at first life will seem very good! They deliver on their promise. But it’s like using drugs. At first, you feel high and your problems seem to be gone. But then you get hooked, the highs don’t feel so high any more, and you end up being destroyed. This week I heard a report on NPR about the increasing cases of “meth mouth.” Methamphetamines literally rot the teeth out of users’ mouths. But even though they are destroying themselves, they keep using it because of the immediate high it gives them. All sin is like that—it gives immediate pleasure, but long term pain.
What does the Bible say about the enemy?
The main enemy isn’t the other person! The main enemy is your own sinful, selfish flesh. If you do not defeat it, it will destroy you! James says (4:1), “Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members” These words imply three things: A.
What is James' point in "You lust and do not have"?
You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.”. James’ point is, don’t look elsewhere for the source of your conflicts. Look within! The source is selfishness! Two selfish people dig in their heels and accuse each other as being the cause of the problems.
How to resolve conflicts in the Bible?
There are four sections: To resolve conflicts, judge your selfish motives (4:1-3). To resolve conflicts, turn away from the world, give total allegiance to God, and humbly seek His grace (4:4-6). To resolve conflicts, submit to God, resist the devil, and in God’s presence repent of all your sins (4:7-10). To resolve conflicts, stop judging others ...