Full Answer
What is the meaning of James 4 1 12?
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world's wisdom has led to great conflict among James's Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery.
What is James 4 talking about in the Bible?
In James 4, the writer addresses a community of believers who claim to be Christians but live and behave like unredeemed people of the world. They are self-centered, pleasure-seeking, self-indulgent, quarrelsome, spiritually unfaithful, and worldly ( James 4:1–4 ).
What is the meaning of James 4 8 10?
GODLY PURITY ( James 4:8-10 ) 4:8-10 Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be afflicted and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to sorrow, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourself before God and then he will exalt you. In James' thought the ethical demand of Christianity is never far away.
What is the meaning of verse 6 in the Bible?
Pulpit Commentary Verse 6. - God resisteth the proud. The connection of this with ver. 4 is very close, and is favorable to the view taken above as to the meaning of the first clause of ver. 5, as the words appear to be cited in support of the statement that whosoever would be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
What is the main message of James 4?
James wants us to remember God's hand in our lives. Instead of presuming to plan our lives around our own ambitions, we should humbly seek after a life that will glorify God.19-Sept-2019
What does having grace mean?
1 : a short prayer at a meal. 2 : beauty and ease of movement. 3 : pleasant, controlled, and polite behavior social graces She handled the situation with grace. 4 : goodwill, favor They were saved by the grace of God. 5 : the condition of being in favor He tried to get in their good graces.
Where does it say in the Bible God opposes the proud?
One of the strongest messages in all the Bible is the truth that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. It is a message so important that it appears three times in Scripture, first in Proverbs 3:34, and then twice repeated in the New Testament by James and Peter.13-Sept-2019
Who was James writing to in Chapter 4?
0:115:20James Chapter 4 Summary and What God Wants From Us - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAgainst God anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.MoreAgainst God anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
What does grace mean biblically?
It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to people – "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" – that takes the form of divine favor, love, clemency, and a share in the divine life of God. It is an attribute of God that is most manifest in the salvation of sinners.
What does grace mean spiritually?
grace, in Christian theology, the spontaneous, unmerited gift of the divine favour in the salvation of sinners, and the divine influence operating in individuals for their regeneration and sanctification.
How do you humble yourself before God?
Confess your sins to the Lord, give up whatever is burdening you, and be willing to leave it at the cross. Much too often, we give something up to God and try to take it right back when we get stressed about it. Once you take it to the cross, leave it there. It's not easy to humble yourself… but it is freeing.
How does God feel about the proud?
Pride is Serious That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”” 1 Peter 5:5 “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. '”
What makes God proud?
Loving God is expressed in the same way, by spending time in his presence — listening for his voice, thanking and praising him, or reading and contemplating his Word. You also make God happy in how you respond to his answers to your prayers.25-Jun-2019
What does James 4 say in the Bible?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
What is the fourth chapter in the Bible?
Matthew 4 is the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of Christian Bible....Matthew 4← chapter 3 chapter 5 →Matthew 4:22-23 on Papyrus 102 (3rd century).BookGospel of MatthewCategoryGospel2 more rows
What is the meaning of James 4 17?
James presupposes in verse 17 that we not only believe and trust the Word of God, but know to apply its truth. It echoes all of James' earlier exhortation that faith without works is dead, because our works testify to the truth of God's Word alive in our hearts.30-Oct-2015
Verse Thoughts
James desires to get some important truths across to his fellow-Christians.
My Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for the great grace that You show to me every day of my life. I pray that I heed Your serious warnings against prideful boastings and do not yield to any ungodly ways - rather come to You on bended knee with a broken and contrite heart, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN
What does 4:1-10 mean?
4:1-10 Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God.
What does God resist the proud?
God resisteth the proud - The proud are those who have an inordinate self-esteem; who have a high and unreasonable conceit of their own excellence or importance. This may extend to anything; to beauty, or strength, or attainments, or family, or country, or equipage, or rank, or even religion.
What does Barnes say about the Bible?
Barnes' Notes on the Bible. But he giveth more grace - The reference here is undoubtedly to God. Some have regarded this clause as a continuation of the quotation in the previous verse, but it is rather to be considered as a declaration of the apostle himself.
What does the Bible say about giving more grace?
giveth more grace—ever increasing grace ; the farther ye depart from "envy" [Bengel]. he saith—The same God who causes His spirit to dwell in believers (Jas 4:5), by the Spirit also speaks in Scripture. The quotation here is probably from Pr 3:34; as probably Pr 21:10 was generally referred to in Jas 4:5.
What does "giveth grace unto the humble" mean?
But giveth grace unto the humble - The meaning is, that he shows them favor; he bestows upon them the grace needful to secure their salvation. This he does: (1) because they feel their need of his favor; (2) because they will welcome his teaching and value his friendship; continued...
What does the Bible say about weeping?
All sin must be wept over; here , in godly sorrow, or, hereafter, in eternal misery. And the Lord will not refuse to comfort one who really mourns for sin, or to exalt one who humbles himself before him. Barnes' Notes on the Bible. But he giveth more grace - The reference here is undoubtedly to God.
What does the Greek word "pride" mean?
the proud—The Greek means in derivation one who shows himself above his fellows, and so lifts himself against God . the humble—the unenvious, uncovetous, and unambitious as to the world.
What does James 4 mean?
Answer. In James 4, the writer addresses a community of believers who claim to be Christians but live and behave like unredeemed people of the world. They are self-centered, pleasure-seeking, self-indulgent, quarrelsome, spiritually unfaithful, and worldly ( James 4:1–4 ).
What does James say about the world?
James points out that these Christians are deliberately choosing to rebel against God. True followers of Christ cannot be faithful to God and at the same time love the world: “ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
What does James say about giving more grace?
He gives more grace. James realizes that this call for total loyalty and obedience to the Lord may sound like a heavy demand to his listeners. For this reason, he says, “He gives more grace.”. If we need more grace, God gives more grace. The New Living Translation says, “He gives grace generously.”. If we humble ourselves, God will supply all the ...
What does Revelation 3:16 mean?
The only solution for this dangerously divided and lukewarm existence ( Revelation 3:16) is to repent and submit to God by making a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ ( James 4:7–9; Luke 9:23–24 ). Finally, James reiterates one of the great kingdom paradoxes: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” ( James 4:10 ).
Why does James call his readers "double minded"?
James calls his readers “double-minded” in James 4:9 because their hearts are divided between the world and God’s kingdom.
How to submit yourself to God?
James explains, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
What does the Bible say about the will of God?
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” ( 1 John 2:15–17 ). The Christian life is characterized by submission to the will of God. Friendship with the world and obedience to God are irreconcilable.
How to humble yourself before the Lord?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. 1 Peter 5:5. Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.".
What does the Bible say about giving grace to the humble?
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”. English Standard Version. But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”. Berean Study Bible.
What does the Bible say about God giving greater grace?
but [God] gives greater grace, for this reason it says, “God sets Himself up against proud ones, and He gives grace to lowly ones.”. NET Bible. But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.".
Who said "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God"?
The passage is also quoted in precisely the same form by St. Peter ( 1 Peter 5:5 ), and with Θεὸς instead of ὁ Θεός by St. Clement of Rome. In St. Peter the quotation is followed by the injunction, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God ....
Does God give us greater kindness?
Contemporary English Version. In fact, God treats us with even greater kindness, just as the Script ures say, "God opposes everyone who is proud, but he blesses all who are humble with undeserved grace.". Douay-Rheims Bible. But he giveth greater grace.
Read James 4:6 Using Other Translations
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
What does James 4:6 mean?
But he giveth more grace The Arabic version adds, "to us"; the Ethiopic version, "to you"; and the Syriac version reads the whole thus; "but our Lord gives more grace to us"; or "greater grace"; than the world can give, whose friendship is courted by men; the least measure of grace, of faith, and hope, and love, and of a spiritual knowledge of Christ, and interest in him, and of peace, joy, and comfort, is more worth than all the world, and everything in it: or greater grace, more favours than the saints are able to ask or think; so Solomon had more favours given him than he could think of asking for: or greater grace, and larger measures of it, even of spiritual light and knowledge, under the Gospel dispensation, than under the former dispensation; or where God bestows gifts qualifying for service and usefulness, and these are made use of and employed for such purposes, he gives more: or this may refer to internal grace wrought by the Spirit of God, in the hearts of his people; more of which he may be said to give, when he causes it to abound, as to its acts and exercises; when faith grows exceedingly, hope revives, and is lively, and abounds through his power and influence, and love to God and Christ, and one another, abounds yet more and more; when there is a growth in every grace, and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, so that this grace becomes a well of living waters, springing up into eternal life, which at last will have its perfection in glory:.
What does James 4:7 mean?
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you , James 4:7; James 4:7. Christians should forsake the friendship of the world, and watch against that envy and pride which they see prevailing in natural men, and should by grace learn to glory in their submissions to God.
What does God give to the humble?
The honour and help God gives to the humble. Grace, as opposed to disgrace, is honour; this God gives to the humble; and, where God gives grace to be humble, there he will give all other graces, and, as in the beginning of this James 4:6, he will give more grace . Wherever God gives true grace, he will give more; for to him that hath, ...
What does "but our Lord gives more grace to us" mean?
The Arabic version adds, "to us"; the Ethiopic version, "to you"; and the Syriac version reads the whole thus; "but our Lord gives more grace to us"; or "greater grace"; than the world can give, whose friendship is courted by men; the least measure of grace, of faith, and hope, and love, and of a spiritual knowledge of Christ, and interest in him, and of peace, joy, and comfort, is more worth than all the world, and everything in it: or greater grace, more favours than the saints are able to ask or think; so Solomon had more favours given him than he could think of asking for: or greater grace, and larger measures of it, even of spiritual light and knowledge, under the Gospel dispensation, than under the former dispensation; or where God bestows gifts qualifying for service and usefulness, and these are made use of and employed for such purposes, he gives more: or this may refer to internal grace wrought by the Spirit of God, in the hearts of his people; more of which he may be said to give, when he causes it to abound, as to its acts and exercises; when faith grows exceedingly, hope revives, and is lively, and abounds through his power and influence, and love to God and Christ, and one another, abounds yet more and more; when there is a growth in every grace, and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, so that this grace becomes a well of living waters, springing up into eternal life, which at last will have its perfection in glory:
What does God say about giving more grace?
They were the humble, in contradistinction to the proud; and he states the fact that “God giveth more grace;” that is, that in some instances he confers more grace than in the cases referred to; to some he gives more grace to overcome their evil passions, and to subdue their corrupt inclinations, than he does to others.
What does God resist the proud?
God resisteth the proud - The proud are those who have an inordinate self-esteem; who have a high and unreasonable conceit of their own excellence or importance. This may extend to anything; to beauty, or strength, or attainments, or family, or country, or equipage, or rank, or even religion.
What afflictions does God send?
4. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep. "What afflictions God sends take them as he would have you, and by duly sensible of them. Be afflicted when afflictions are sent upon you, and do not despise them; or be afflicted in your sympathies with those who are so, and in laying to heart the calamities of the church of God.
What does it mean to purify your heart?
To purify the heart is to be sincere, and to act upon this single aim and principle, rather to please God than to seek after any thing in this world: hypocrisy is heart-impurity; but those who submit themselves to God aright will purify their hearts as well as cleanse their hands. 4. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep.
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 is the source of wars and fights among Christians?
The source of wars and fights among Christians is always the same. There is some root of carnality, an internal war within the believer regarding the lusts of the flesh. No two believers who are both walking in the Spirit of God towards each other can live with wars and fights among themselves. i.
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.
Where does the word "resist" come from?
He flees from that name, and from his conquering blood.” (Clarke) ii. Resist comes from two Greek words: stand and against. James tells us to stand against the devil. Satan can be set running by the resistance of the lowliest believer who comes in the authority of what Jesus did on the cross.