Bible Commentaries
James 4

Introduction

Overview

James 4:1, We are to strive against covetousness; James 4:4, intemperance; James 4:5, pride; James 4:11, detraction and rash judgment of others; James 4:13, and not to be confident in the good success of worldly business, but mindful ever of the uncertainty of this life, to commit ourselves and all our affairs to God’s providence.

Verse 1

whence: James 3:14-18

fightings: or, brawlings

come they: James 1:14, Genesis 4:5-8, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21-23, John 8:44, Romans 8:7, 1 Timothy 6:4-10, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Peter 4:2, 1 Peter 4:3, 2 Peter 2:18, 2 Peter 3:3, 1 John 2:15-17, Jude 1:16 -18

lusts: or, pleasures, James 4:3

in: Romans 7:5, Romans 7:23, Galatians 5:17, Colossians 3:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:21 - the imagination Genesis 13:7 - a strife Judges 12:1 - we will burn 2 Samuel 19:43 - the words 1 Kings 12:14 - My father made 2 Chronicles 10:14 - My father Psalms 68:30 - delight Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 20:3 - but Proverbs 21:10 - soul Jeremiah 7:9 - steal Jeremiah 41:1 - of the Ezekiel 20:31 - and shall Amos 4:12 - prepare Zechariah 11:14 - I cut Matthew 20:24 - they Matthew 24:12 - because Mark 7:20 - General Acts 23:10 - fearing Romans 6:12 - in the lusts Romans 6:13 - Neither 1 Corinthians 1:11 - that there 1 Corinthians 3:3 - for whereas 1 Corinthians 6:7 - there 2 Corinthians 12:20 - debates Galatians 5:15 - General Ephesians 2:3 - in the Ephesians 4:31 - wrath Philippians 2:14 - disputings Colossians 2:18 - fleshly 1 Timothy 3:3 - a brawler 2 Peter 1:4 - having 1 John 3:15 - hateth

Verse 2

lust: James 5:1-5, Proverbs 1:19, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Habakkuk 2:5, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10

kill: or, envy

because: James 1:5, Isaiah 7:12, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:8, Luke 11:9-13, John 4:10, John 16:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:21 - the imagination Judges 12:1 - we will burn 1 Kings 3:11 - hast not 1 Kings 12:14 - My father made 1 Kings 21:6 - Because 2 Chronicles 10:14 - My father Psalms 78:18 - by asking meat Isaiah 43:22 - thou hast not Ezekiel 36:37 - I will yet Luke 11:1 - teach Acts 23:10 - fearing 1 Corinthians 1:11 - that there 1 Corinthians 3:3 - for whereas Ephesians 4:31 - wrath 1 Timothy 6:4 - words 2 Timothy 2:24 - strive James 1:14 - when 1 John 3:15 - hateth Revelation 18:14 - thy soul

Verse 3

and: James 1:6, James 1:7, Job 27:8-10, Job 35:12, Psalms 18:41, Psalms 66:18, Psalms 66:19, Proverbs 1:28, Proverbs 15:8, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 21:27, Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 1:16, Jeremiah 11:11, Jeremiah 11:14, Jeremiah 14:12, Micah 3:4, Zechariah 7:13, Matthew 20:22, Mark 10:38, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14

ye may: Luke 15:13, Luke 15:30, Luke 16:1, Luke 16:2

lusts: or, pleasures, James 4:1

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 28:6 - inquired 1 Kings 2:22 - why dost 1 Kings 3:11 - hast not Job 16:18 - let my cry Job 27:9 - Will God Job 35:13 - God Psalms 78:18 - by asking meat Isaiah 43:22 - thou hast not Isaiah 45:19 - Seek Ezekiel 36:37 - I will yet Hosea 7:14 - assemble Luke 11:1 - teach Luke 11:10 - General John 4:15 - give John 6:26 - Ye seek John 16:24 - ask Romans 8:26 - for we

Verse 4

adulterers: Psalms 50:18, Psalms 73:27, Isaiah 57:3, Jeremiah 9:2, Hosea 3:1, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 16:4

the friendship: John 7:7, John 15:19, John 15:23, John 17:14, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:16

enmity: Genesis 3:15, Romans 8:7

whosoever: Galatians 1:10

is the: Psalms 21:8, Luke 19:27, John 15:23, John 15:24, Romans 5:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:5 - of them Exodus 20:14 - General Numbers 15:39 - go a whoring Joshua 10:4 - we may 2 Chronicles 19:2 - hate the Lord Job 16:18 - let my cry Song of Solomon 5:16 - friend Jeremiah 5:7 - they then Jeremiah 13:27 - thine adulteries Jeremiah 23:10 - full Hosea 7:4 - are all Hosea 10:2 - Their heart is divided Matthew 6:24 - serve Matthew 13:27 - whence Mark 8:38 - adulterous Mark 10:23 - How Luke 6:26 - when Luke 16:13 - servant John 6:26 - Ye seek John 8:23 - ye are of John 15:18 - General John 17:11 - but Acts 16:20 - do Romans 2:22 - adultery Romans 6:3 - Know Romans 12:2 - be not 1 Corinthians 3:16 - Know 2 Corinthians 6:14 - unequally 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Know Galatians 1:4 - from Ephesians 2:2 - walked according Ephesians 4:18 - alienated Colossians 1:21 - sometime Colossians 2:20 - living James 1:27 - to keep 1 John 3:13 - if 1 John 5:19 - and the

Verse 5

the scripture: John 7:42, John 10:35, John 19:37, Romans 9:17, Galatians 3:8

The spirit: Genesis 4:5, Genesis 4:6, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Genesis 26:14, Genesis 30:1, Genesis 37:11, Numbers 11:29, Psalms 37:1, Psalms 106:16, Proverbs 21:10, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Isaiah 11:13, Acts 7:9, Romans 1:29, Titus 3:3

to envy: or, enviously

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:9 - lest that Exodus 1:9 - the people Deuteronomy 15:9 - Beware Judges 8:1 - the men 1 Samuel 18:8 - the saying Psalms 73:3 - I was Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 14:30 - envy Proverbs 24:1 - not Proverbs 27:4 - but Ezekiel 31:9 - envied Jonah 4:1 - General Micah 7:19 - subdue Matthew 20:24 - they Matthew 27:18 - he Mark 10:41 - they Mark 15:10 - for envy Luke 19:39 - rebuke Luke 22:24 - General John 3:26 - he that Acts 5:17 - indignation Acts 6:1 - there Acts 13:45 - they Acts 17:5 - moved Romans 4:3 - what Romans 7:17 - sin Romans 13:13 - strife 1 Corinthians 2:12 - not 1 Corinthians 13:4 - envieth Galatians 4:30 - what Galatians 5:17 - the flesh Philippians 1:15 - even Philippians 2:3 - nothing 1 Timothy 5:18 - the scripture 1 Timothy 6:4 - words 1 Peter 2:1 - envies

Verse 6

God: Exodus 10:3, Exodus 10:4, Exodus 15:9, Exodus 15:10, Exodus 18:11, 1 Samuel 2:3, Job 22:29, Job 40:10-12, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 6:16, Proverbs 6:17, Proverbs 29:23, Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:12, Isaiah 2:17, Isaiah 10:8-14, Isaiah 16:6, Isaiah 16:7, Daniel 4:37, Daniel 5:20-23, Matthew 23:12, Luke 1:52, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, 1 Peter 5:5

giveth grace: 2 Chronicles 32:26, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:19, 2 Chronicles 33:23, 2 Chronicles 34:27, Job 22:29, Psalms 9:12, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 22:4, Isaiah 57:15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:41 - humbled Deuteronomy 8:2 - to humble Deuteronomy 10:16 - stiffnecked Judges 7:2 - Israel Judges 8:1 - the men 2 Samuel 22:28 - but thine 2 Kings 14:10 - thine heart 2 Kings 22:19 - thine heart 2 Chronicles 12:6 - humbled 2 Chronicles 25:19 - heart Nehemiah 9:29 - yet they Job 5:11 - those Job 9:13 - the proud helpers Job 26:12 - he smiteth Job 40:11 - behold Psalms 10:17 - humble Psalms 31:20 - from Psalms 37:1 - neither Psalms 99:2 - high Psalms 119:21 - rebuked Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 16:5 - that Proverbs 24:1 - not Proverbs 27:4 - but Isaiah 23:9 - to stain Isaiah 25:11 - he shall bring Isaiah 65:5 - These Jeremiah 13:9 - the pride Jeremiah 43:2 - all the Jeremiah 44:10 - are not Jeremiah 48:29 - his loftiness Jeremiah 50:31 - O thou Ezekiel 7:10 - pride Ezekiel 28:17 - heart Ezekiel 31:9 - envied Ezekiel 31:10 - and his Daniel 5:22 - though Jonah 3:6 - and he arose Jonah 4:1 - General Micah 6:8 - walk humbly Micah 7:19 - subdue Habakkuk 2:5 - a proud man Zechariah 12:7 - save Matthew 6:5 - Verily Matthew 20:24 - they Mark 9:35 - If Luke 7:6 - for Luke 14:32 - and desireth Luke 22:24 - General John 3:26 - he that Acts 9:6 - what Romans 7:17 - sin Romans 11:20 - Be Romans 12:3 - not to 2 Corinthians 1:12 - not Galatians 5:17 - the flesh Philippians 1:15 - even Philippians 2:3 - nothing 1 Timothy 6:4 - words 2 Timothy 3:2 - proud James 4:10 - Humble

Verse 7

Submit: 1 Samuel 3:18, 2 Samuel 15:26, 2 Kings 1:13-15, 2 Chronicles 30:8, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13, Job 1:21, Job 40:3-5, Job 42:1-6, Psalms 32:3-5, Psalms 66:3, Psalms 68:30, Jeremiah 13:18, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 4:34-37, Matthew 11:29, Acts 9:6, Acts 16:29-31, Acts 26:19, Romans 10:3, Romans 14:11, Ephesians 5:21, Hebrews 12:9, 1 Peter 2:13

Resist: Matthew 4:3-11, Luke 4:2-13, Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Peter 5:9, Revelation 12:9-11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 10:16 - stiffnecked 2 Samuel 22:28 - but thine Job 8:5 - thou wouldest Job 9:13 - the proud helpers Job 42:6 - I Psalms 32:9 - Be ye Psalms 99:2 - high Daniel 4:37 - those that walk Matthew 4:10 - Get Luke 4:8 - Get Luke 4:13 - General Luke 23:41 - we indeed Acts 3:19 - be Acts 5:3 - why Hebrews 13:17 - submit James 4:10 - Humble 1 John 5:17 - and

Verse 8

Draw nigh to God: Genesis 18:23, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 73:28, Psalms 145:18, Isaiah 29:13, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Hosea 6:1, Hosea 6:2, Zechariah 1:3, Malachi 3:7, Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 10:22

Cleanse: Job 9:30, Job 16:17, Job 17:9, Psalms 18:20, Psalms 24:4, Psalms 26:6, Psalms 73:13, Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 1:16, Isaiah 13:15, Matthew 15:2, Matthew 27:24, 1 Timothy 2:8, 1 Peter 3:21

purify: Psalms 51:6, Psalms 51:7, Psalms 51:10, Jeremiah 4:11, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Matthew 12:33, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:26, Luke 11:39, Luke 11:40, Acts 15:9, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:3

ye double: James 1:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:21 - Come Genesis 35:2 - clean Leviticus 15:5 - General Leviticus 15:6 - General Leviticus 15:8 - General Leviticus 15:10 - General Leviticus 15:13 - wash Numbers 8:6 - cleanse them Numbers 8:7 - wash their Numbers 29:7 - afflict Deuteronomy 4:7 - who hath 1 Samuel 14:36 - Then said the priest 2 Samuel 22:21 - cleanness 2 Chronicles 25:2 - but not 2 Chronicles 30:6 - turn again Job 11:14 - put it far Job 20:18 - and he shall Job 36:10 - commandeth Ecclesiastes 7:3 - is better Isaiah 22:12 - call Jeremiah 4:14 - wash Jeremiah 7:3 - Amend Jeremiah 25:5 - Turn Lamentations 3:57 - drewest Ezekiel 14:6 - Repent Ezekiel 18:21 - if the Daniel 4:27 - break Daniel 9:3 - with Joel 1:8 - Lament Joel 2:12 - with fasting Zechariah 7:3 - Should Matthew 5:8 - are Matthew 18:35 - from Mark 7:4 - except Luke 15:19 - make John 11:55 - to purify Acts 2:40 - Save 1 Timothy 1:5 - a pure Titus 2:12 - denying Titus 2:14 - purify James 1:21 - filthiness James 3:17 - first

Verse 9

afflicted: James 5:1, James 5:2, Psalms 119:67, Psalms 119:71, Psalms 119:136, Psalms 126:5, Psalms 126:6, Ecclesiastes 7:2-5, Isaiah 22:12, Isaiah 22:13, Jeremiah 31:9, Jeremiah 31:13, Jeremiah 31:18-20, Ezekiel 7:16, Ezekiel 16:63, Zechariah 12:10-14, Matthew 5:4, Luke 6:21, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 2 Corinthians 7:11

let: Job 30:31, Proverbs 14:13, Ecclesiastes 2:2, Ecclesiastes 7:6, Lamentations 5:15, Luke 6:25, Luke 16:25, Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 23:27 - afflict Judges 2:4 - the people 2 Samuel 12:22 - I fasted 2 Chronicles 7:14 - humble Esther 5:9 - joyful Job 20:18 - and he shall Proverbs 19:10 - Delight Ecclesiastes 3:4 - time to weep Jeremiah 6:26 - make thee Jeremiah 50:4 - going Daniel 10:2 - I Daniel Joel 1:8 - Lament Joel 2:12 - with fasting Malachi 3:14 - and that Matthew 5:3 - the poor Luke 7:38 - weeping 2 Corinthians 7:7 - mourning 1 Peter 1:6 - ye are

Verse 10

Humble: James 4:6, James 4:7

he: 1 Samuel 2:9, Job 22:29, Psalms 27:6, Psalms 28:9, Psalms 30:1, Psalms 113:7, Psalms 147:6, Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, 1 Peter 5:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:3 - humble Deuteronomy 8:2 - to humble 1 Samuel 2:7 - bringeth 2 Samuel 12:22 - I fasted 2 Chronicles 7:14 - humble 2 Chronicles 12:6 - humbled 2 Chronicles 30:11 - humbled themselves 2 Chronicles 32:26 - Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 33:12 - humbled 2 Chronicles 36:12 - humbled Job 33:17 - hide Psalms 10:17 - humble Proverbs 6:3 - go Proverbs 15:33 - and Proverbs 22:4 - By Jeremiah 13:15 - be Jeremiah 13:18 - Humble Lamentations 5:15 - our dance Matthew 5:3 - the poor Matthew 18:4 - humble Luke 1:52 - put Luke 7:6 - for 2 Corinthians 7:7 - mourning Hebrews 12:9 - shall we not

Verse 11

Speak: Psalms 140:11, Ephesians 4:31, 1 Timothy 3:11, 2 Timothy 3:3, Titus 2:3, 1 Peter 2:1

and judgeth: Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Luke 6:37, Romans 2:1, Romans 14:3, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 4:5

speaketh evil of the law: Romans 7:7, Romans 7:12, Romans 7:13

a doer: James 1:22, James 1:23, James 1:25, Romans 2:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:16 - General Job 19:29 - that ye may Psalms 15:3 - backbiteth Psalms 119:34 - I shall Romans 14:13 - judge one Colossians 2:16 - judge Titus 3:2 - speak James 2:4 - judges James 5:9 - Grudge not

Verse 12

lawgiver: Isaiah 33:22

able: Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 7:25

who: 1 Samuel 25:10, Job 38:2, Romans 2:1, Romans 9:20, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:13

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:18 - the lawgiver Deuteronomy 32:4 - all his Job 19:29 - that ye may Matthew 7:1 - General Luke 6:37 - Judge Ephesians 3:20 - able

Verse 13

Go to: James 5:1, Genesis 11:3, Genesis 11:4, Genesis 11:7, Ecclesiastes 2:1, Isaiah 5:5

To day: Proverbs 27:1, Isaiah 56:12, Luke 12:17-20

and buy: Isaiah 24:2, Isaiah 56:11, Ezekiel 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:45 - then I Judges 19:9 - to morrow 1 Kings 19:2 - to morrow 1 Kings 22:27 - until I come in peace 2 Kings 5:5 - go 2 Chronicles 33:21 - two years Job 17:11 - purposes Psalms 4:6 - many Psalms 10:3 - boasteth Psalms 121:8 - thy going out Ecclesiastes 10:14 - a man Jeremiah 18:11 - go to Lamentations 3:37 - saith Ezekiel 28:5 - and by Malachi 1:4 - but Luke 12:19 - for Acts 24:25 - when Romans 15:28 - I will 1 Corinthians 7:29 - that both Hebrews 3:7 - To day

Verse 14

It is: or, For it is

a vapour: James 1:10, Job 7:6, Job 7:7, Job 9:25, Job 9:26, Job 14:1, Job 14:2, Psalms 39:5, Psalms 89:47, Psalms 90:5-7, Psalms 102:3, Isaiah 38:12, 1 Peter 1:24, 1 Peter 4:7, 1 John 2:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:2 - I know not Genesis 47:9 - an hundred Exodus 8:10 - To morrow Judges 19:9 - to morrow 2 Samuel 19:34 - How long have I to live 1 Kings 19:2 - to morrow 1 Kings 22:27 - until I come in peace 1 Chronicles 29:15 - our days Psalms 39:6 - a vain show Psalms 78:39 - a wind Psalms 90:10 - for Psalms 102:11 - My days Psalms 109:23 - gone Ecclesiastes 6:12 - the days of his vain life Ecclesiastes 8:13 - as a Ecclesiastes 10:14 - a man Ezekiel 28:5 - and by Luke 12:20 - Thou fool Acts 20:22 - not Acts 24:25 - when 1 Corinthians 7:31 - for

Verse 15

If: 2 Samuel 15:25, 2 Samuel 15:26, Proverbs 19:21, Lamentations 3:37, Acts 18:21, Romans 1:10, Romans 15:32, 1 Corinthians 4:19, 1 Corinthians 16:7, Hebrews 6:3

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 5:19 - inquired Job 22:28 - decree Psalms 37:5 - and Luke 12:18 - General Philippians 2:19 - But

Verse 16

James 3:14, Psalms 52:1, Psalms 52:7, Proverbs 25:14, Proverbs 27:1, Isaiah 47:7, Isaiah 47:8, Isaiah 47:10, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 5:6, Revelation 18:7

Reciprocal: Judges 9:19 - rejoice 1 Samuel 11:15 - rejoiced greatly Job 20:5 - the joy Psalms 10:3 - boasteth Jeremiah 11:15 - thou doest evil Hosea 9:1 - Rejoice Amos 6:13 - which Acts 8:39 - and he Romans 1:30 - boasters Romans 2:23 - that makest Galatians 5:26 - desirous Philippians 3:19 - whose glory 2 Timothy 3:2 - boasters

Verse 17

Luke 12:47, Luke 12:48, John 9:41, John 13:17, John 15:22, Romans 1:20, Romans 1:21, Romans 1:32, Romans 2:17-23, Romans 7:13

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:9 - sin unto thee 2 Kings 21:9 - they hearkened Nehemiah 6:13 - and sin Job 24:13 - rebel Daniel 5:22 - though Luke 6:47 - doeth Luke 19:20 - Lord John 19:11 - the greater Romans 2:18 - knowest Romans 2:23 - that makest Hebrews 10:26 - after James 1:22 - be 1 Peter 3:11 - do