James 1 Chapter 4 – Literal & Easy To Read

Segment 1: James 4:1–3

(1) From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
(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.
(3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 1
    • James addresses the root cause of conflicts (“wars and fightings”) within the Christian community.
    • The source is internal: sinful desires (“lusts”) warring within individuals. These selfish passions spill over into outward disputes.
  • Verse 2
    • These unchecked desires lead people to extreme measures (“ye kill,” which may be literal or figurative hyperbole for hatred or destructive behavior).
    • They are never satisfied (“cannot obtain”) because they attempt to fulfill desires without relying on God.
    • “Ye have not, because ye ask not” implies they aren’t seeking God in prayer, or they’re seeking Him wrongly.
  • Verse 3
    • Even when they do pray, their motives are self-centered (“ask amiss”).
    • The goal of such prayer is purely to satisfy personal lusts, not to honor God or serve others.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Lusts — ἡδοναί (hēdonai): pleasures or passions, often pointing to self-indulgent desires.
  • Ask amiss — αἰτεῖτε κακῶς (aiteite kakōs): to request improperly, with wrong motives or evil intent.

3) Practical Application

  • Recognize the link between internal desires and external conflicts. When conflicts arise, check your heart for selfish motives.
  • Prayer should be God-focused and aligned with His will, not just a tool to feed our own lusts.
  • Before asking God for something, examine whether it’s for His glory or merely personal gratification.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Mark 7:21–23: Jesus teaches that evil comes from within the heart, aligning with James’s focus on internal desires.
  • 1 John 5:14–15: We have confidence in prayer when we ask according to God’s will.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Knows Our Motives: He sees beyond our words and discerns the intentions of our hearts.
  • God Desires Pure Worship & Dependence: He wants us to seek Him in prayer with humility and sincerity, not self-centered agendas.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Models Selfless Prayer: In Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), He prays, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
  • Christ Redirects Our Desires: Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus transforms our hearts so our prayers align more with God’s purposes than our own selfish cravings.

Segment 2: James 4:4–6

(4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
(5) Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
(6) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 4
    • James uses strong language—“adulterers and adulteresses”—to describe spiritual unfaithfulness.
    • Aligning oneself with “the world” (its values, systems, and desires opposed to God) is incompatible with loyal devotion to God.
    • Friendship with the world sets one at odds (“enmity”) with God’s holiness.
  • Verse 5
    • A challenging verse to interpret. One view: Our human spirit is prone to jealousy and selfish envy.
    • Another view: The Holy Spirit within believers longs for our full devotion.
    • Either way, the point is that God desires undivided allegiance, and worldly compromise grieves Him.
  • Verse 6
    • Despite our failings, God’s grace is greater.
    • He stands against the proud—those who rebel or trust in themselves—but extends grace to the humble who recognize their need for Him.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Friendship — φιλία (philia): deep affection or love, denoting close alliance or alignment.
  • Enmity — ἔχθρα (echthra): hostility or hatred, the opposite of friendship.
  • Resists — ἀντιτάσσομαι (antitassomai): to oppose, to range oneself against.

3) Practical Application

  • Examine loyalties: do we prioritize God’s kingdom or cling to worldly values (e.g., materialism, selfish ambition)?
  • Guard your heart against spiritual compromise—“friendship with the world” can subtly pull us away from God.
  • Embrace humility; God’s abundant grace lifts those who acknowledge their brokenness and dependence on Him.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Matthew 6:24: Jesus says we can’t serve two masters (God and mammon/worldly wealth).
  • 1 Peter 5:5: Echoes James 4:6—“God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Jealous for Our Affection: Like a faithful spouse, He desires exclusive devotion.
  • God Extends Greater Grace: Even when we fall into worldly thinking, He offers restoration to the humble.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Is Our True Bridegroom: Ephesians 5:25–27 pictures Christ’s relationship with the Church like a loving husband. Spiritual adultery breaks that covenant, but Christ calls us back.
  • Christ Embodied Humility: Philippians 2:6–8—He humbled Himself, and God exalted Him. We follow His example and receive grace.

Segment 3: James 4:7–10

(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
(9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
(10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 7
    • Practical steps in spiritual warfare:
      1. “Submit yourselves to God”—yield to His authority.
      2. “Resist the devil”—stand firm against temptation, trusting God’s power.
    • The promise: Satan will flee when we stand resolute under God’s protection.
  • Verse 8
    • Encourages intimacy with God: “Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
    • “Cleanse your hands” (actions) and “purify your hearts” (motives) signifies repentance from sin and hypocrisy.
  • Verse 9
    • James calls for genuine sorrow over sin. This is not advocating perpetual misery but urging serious repentance.
    • Superficial joy that ignores sin must give way to godly sorrow leading to true transformation.
  • Verse 10
    • The recurring theme of humility: bow low before God, and He will exalt you in His timing.
    • Genuine humility paves the way for God’s grace and elevation.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Submit — ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō): to place oneself under authority, to yield or obey.
  • Resist — ἀντίστητε (antistēte): to stand against, oppose actively.
  • Humble — ταπεινόω (tapeinoō): to make low, to acknowledge one’s neediness before God.

3) Practical Application

  • Actively resist spiritual opposition by first surrendering to God—He is our shield.
  • Pursue closeness with God by repenting of sin daily, striving for both outward (hands) and inward (heart) purity.
  • Practice genuine humility, trusting God to lift you up rather than seeking your own promotion.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves…that he may exalt you in due time.”
  • Psalm 24:3–4: Emphasizes clean hands and a pure heart for those who seek God’s presence.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Accessible: When we draw near to Him, He graciously draws near to us.
  • God Honors Repentance & Humility: He willingly forgives and restores those who sincerely turn to Him.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Overcame the Devil: In the wilderness temptations (Matthew 4), He resisted Satan through Scripture and submission to the Father.
  • Christ’s Invitation: “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28). He promises rest and nearness for the humble and repentant.

Segment 4: James 4:11–12

(11) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
(12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 11
    • James addresses slander and critical speech within the Christian community.
    • “Speak not evil” encompasses any harmful, defamatory, or unloving remarks.
    • When we judge our brother, we presume a role above God’s Law—acting as if we are arbiters rather than humble doers.
  • Verse 12
    • Only God is the ultimate Lawgiver and Judge.
    • He alone has the authority to save or destroy.
    • We must recognize our position as fellow servants, not as those who stand in judgment over others.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Speak evil — καταλαλέω (katalaleō): to slander or speak against someone.
  • Judge — κρίνω (krinō): to pass judgment, condemn, or decide another’s guilt.

3) Practical Application

  • Refrain from slanderous speech—be mindful of how you talk about fellow believers (and everyone, for that matter).
  • Remember we’re not God; our role is to love, correct gently when needed (Galatians 6:1), and leave ultimate judgment to Him.
  • Develop empathy: If you’re about to judge or criticize, reflect on your own need for grace.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Romans 14:4: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?” We answer to God alone.
  • Matthew 7:1–2: Jesus warns against judging lest we be judged in the same manner.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is the Supreme Judge: He alone administers justice perfectly.
  • God Desires Unity Among His People: Harsh judgment and slander disrupt Christian fellowship and dishonor His law of love.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus’ Example of Compassion: He warned against hypocritical judgment (John 8:7—“He that is without sin…”).
  • Christ’s Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment: By His atoning sacrifice, He provided a way for us to be forgiven rather than condemned (Romans 8:1).

Segment 5: James 4:13–17

(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:
(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.
(15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
(16) But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verses 13–14
    • James challenges the presumption of making business plans without acknowledging God’s sovereignty.
    • Our lives are fragile and short (“a vapour”). We can’t boast about tomorrow, let alone a year from now.
  • Verse 15
    • We should frame our plans with a humble awareness of God’s will: “If the Lord will…”
    • This mindset keeps us dependent, recognizing God’s providence in every aspect of life.
  • Verses 16–17
    • Boasting in our self-made plans is arrogant and ignores our dependence on God—this pride is called evil.
    • The concluding statement: knowing what is right and failing to do it is sin.
    • It’s not only about avoiding wrong actions but also about acting rightly when we have the opportunity.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Vapour — ἀτμίς (atmis): a mist or steam that quickly dissipates.
  • Boastings — ἀλαζονείαις (alazoneiais): bragging or arrogance.

3) Practical Application

  • Plan your future prayerfully, seeking God’s will rather than assuming control.
  • Live with an eternal perspective, remembering how short life is and how dependent we are on God for each breath.
  • Don’t procrastinate doing good. If you sense God leading you to a righteous act (serving, giving, forgiving, sharing the gospel), do it promptly.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Proverbs 27:1: “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
  • Luke 12:16–21: Parable of the rich fool who presumed upon future prosperity without acknowledging God.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Sovereign Over Time & Circumstances: Our lives are in His hands; we cannot control the future apart from Him.
  • God Desires Trust & Dependence: He wants us to live humbly, recognizing His authority and seeking His will.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Trusted the Father’s Will: He always deferred to the Father’s timing and plan (John 5:19).
  • Christ Teaches Readiness: We should be ready, living righteously now, rather than arrogantly presuming on tomorrow (Matthew 24:44).