James 4:8 is addressing its readers to make their hearts different from the world's.The object of the imperative is Christians since the choice of word (ἁγνίσατε not καθαρίσας) directs the command to believers (those set-apart people i.e. the saints).
Full Answer
What does James 4 8 mean in the Bible?
What does James 4:8 mean? James 4:8, NIV: "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8, ESV: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
What does James 4 say about drawing near to God?
James 4:8 - Come near to God and he will come near to you. ... 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
What is the meaning of verse 8 in the Bible?
Pulpit Commentary Verse 8. - Draw nigh to God(ἐγγίσατε τῷΘεῷ). A phrase used of approach to God under the old covenant (see Exodus 19:22; Exodus 34:30; Leviticus 10:3). Equally necessary under the new covenant is it for those who draw near to God to have "clean hands and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:4).
What is the exhortation of Jam 4?
Jam 4:8. In contrast to the last exhortation and promise is the exhortation ἐγγίσατε τῷ Θεῷ, united in a similar manner with a promise. Whilst the devil is to be kept at a distance by resistance, we are to draw nigh to God. “ἐγγίζεινis not to be limited to prayer, but is to be understood generally of man’s turning to God” (Wiesinger).
What is the meaning of Draw near to God and He will draw near to you?
The phrase, “draw near,” means, very simply, to approach or get close to a thing. To draw near to God, means then, to get close to God. If you get close to God, James is saying, God Himself will come to be close to you. That seems a bit redundant at first.
What does God mean when he says he will heal their land?
Our land is hurting and in deep need of God's divine healing. Appropriately, this admonition from God addresses the critical fact that the sin and wickedness in our life as a nation has direct — and disastrous — effects on our health as a nation and as a global community.
What is the meaning of Philippians 4 8 KJV?
This simply means loving what is right, and doing what is right because is it right. In order to do right, one must think about what is right. #5 “whatever is pure, lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
What does the Bible mean by Labour of love?
This phrase originally comes from the Bible, in both Thessalonians and Hebrews: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love..." Definitions of labor of love. productive work performed voluntarily without material reward or compensation. synonyms: labour of love.
How do you pray for healing of the land?
Lord, Heal Our Land! The prayer of my heart in the time in which we are living is, Lord Heal Our Land. We all need to increase our prayer, praise, worship and service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in times like these.
Why do we need to take care of our land a prayer for healing?
We all need air, water and food to live. The earth and its atmosphere give us all these. If we want fresh air and water in the future, we must take care of our land, the air around us and the water sources, by not polluting them and by preventing people who try to do so.
Why is God concerned with purity in his people's hearts and worship?
The most significant benefit of purity is that it allows you entrance into God's holy presence. The Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). This eternal life is only possible by receiving forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ.
When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will raise?
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” This paints a rich picture of God riding in to defend His people against overwhelming odds and unspeakable evil.
What is peace that surpasses all understanding?
Biblical Translations of Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NLT. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
What does it mean to Labour in the Lord?
The latter portion of our scripture states “your labour is not in vain.” Vain means empty acts that result in nothing, fruitless, pointless and having no purpose. However, labor for the Lord, no matter how difficult and wearisome, will never be without meaning or value.
What is the different between Labour and work?
Work is an intended activity that is accomplished through the will. A labor can be intended but only to the extent of doing the groundwork, or of not doing things that would clearly prevent the labor. Beyond that, labor has its own schedule.?? [Hyde closes with this striking footnote.]
Is it a labor of love or for money?
labor of love, a Work done for the pleasure of accomplishment or from personal interest rather than for monetary reward or from a sense of duty; this book, for example. The phrase appears in two Epistles of St.
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 the Bible say about purifying your hearts?
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ". James 4:8, NASB: "Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.". James 4:8, NLT: "Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
What does the Bible say about purifying your hearts?
Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God. - Weymouth Bible. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - World English Bible.
What does the Bible say about making your hands clean?
Make your hands clean, you evil-doers; put away deceit from your hearts, you false in mind. - Basic English Bible. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, sinners, and purify [your] hearts, ye double-minded. - Darby Bible.
Read James 4:8 Using Other Translations
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
What does James 4:8 mean?
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you This must be understood consistently with the perfection of God's immensity and omnipresence: the saints draw nigh to God when they present their bodies in his sanctuary; when they tread in his courts, and attend his ordinances; where they always find it good for them to draw nigh unto him; and blessed is the man that approaches to him in faith and fear: they draw nigh to him when they come to the throne of his grace, for grace and mercy to help them; when they draw near to him in prayer with true hearts, and lift them up with their hands to God; when in the exercise of faith and hope they enter within the vail, and come up even to his seat; and lay hold on him as their covenant God and Father; and he draws nigh to them by granting them his gracious presence, by communicating his love to them, by applying the blessings of his grace, by helping them in times of need and distress, and by protecting them from their enemies; the contrary to which is expressed by standing afar off from them.
What does the Bible say about purifying your hearts?
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Weymouth New Testament. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God.
How to come close to God?
Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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.
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 warn us about?
James warns his readers that when we pursue these courses of action we walk like enemies of God. Then, just a few verses later, James urges his readers to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” ( James 4:8, NKJV ). After explaining the wrong path, James contrasts that path with the right one: “God is opposed to ...
Where in the Bible does it say to abide in Jesus?
Jesus talked about this in John 15, when He told His disciples they should “abide” in Him ( John 15:4 ). While God has provided us many details about how to walk with Him, James puts things succinctly when he encourages his readers to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” ( James 4:8 ). It is easy to get lost in ...