James 4:8-10 ASV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:8

Verse 8 8Draw nigh to God. He again reminds us that the aid of God will not be wanting to us, provided we give place to him. For when he bids us to draw nigh to God, that we may know him to be near to us, he intimates that we are destitute of his grace, because we withdraw from him. But as God stands on our side, there is no reason to fear succumbing. But if any one concludes from this passage, that the first part of the work belongs to us, and that afterwards the grace of God follows, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:9

Verse 9 9Be afflicted and mourn. Christ denounces mourning on those who laugh, as a curse, (Luke 6:25;) and James, in what shortly follows, alluding to the same words, threatens the rich with mourning. But here he speaks of that salutary mourning or sorrow which leads us to repentance. He addresses those who, being inebriated in their minds, did not perceive God’s judgment. Thus it happened that they flattered themselves in their vices. That he might shake off from them this deadly torpor, he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:10

Verse 10 10Humble yourselves, or, be ye humbled. The conclusion of what is gone before is, that the grace of God then be ready to raise us up when he sees that our proud spirits are laid aside. We emulate and envy, because we desire to be eminent. This is a way wholly unreasonable, for it is God’s peculiar work to raise up the lowly, and especially those who willingly humble themselves. Whosoever, then, seeks a firm elevation, let him be cast down under a sense of his own infirmity, and think... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:1-10

War or peace? He has just been speaking of peace. But this leads him to survey the actual state of things: disputes, strifes, murders. (For condition of Jewish society at this time, see Plumptre's notes: " rife with atrocities.") And he will ascend to the origin of them. Whence come they? They proceed from the restlessness of the unregenerate nature, seeking, but seeking in vain, its satisfaction in the world. These two topics, then, are introduced to us: dissatisfaction with the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:1-12

REBUKE OF QUARRELS ARISING FROM PRIDE AND GREED . A terribly sadden transition from the "peace" with which James 3:1-18 . closed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:7-10

Exhortation based on the preceding , quite in the style of a prophet of the Old Testament. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:7-10

Submission to God. This passage is a powerful and heart-stirring appeal to those professing Christians whose hearts had been lull of worldly "pleasures" ( James 4:3 ), and whose hands had been occupied with " wars " and "fightings." Within these four verses there are no fewer than ten verbs in the imperative mood; but the cardinal precept of the whole paragraph is the exhortation to submission, with which it both opens and closes. The other counsels in James 4:7-9 have reference to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:8

Draw nigh to God ( ἐγγίσατε τῷ θεῷ ). A phrase used of approach to God under the old covenant (see Exodus 19:22 ; Exodus 34:30 ; Le Exodus 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" ( Psalms 24:4 ). Hence the following injunction: "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:8

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." A truth to which all experience bears witness, and a most important one in teaching the doctrine of repentance. God not only tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, but he also makes the path easy to the returning sinner and meets him half-way. The prodigal arose and came to his father, but while he was yet a great way off the father saw him and ran to meet him. It is the first step in repentance which is the difficult one, and yet even... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:9

St. James's version of "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" ( Matthew 5:4 ). Be afflicted. ταλαιπωρήσατε : only here in the New Testament, occasionally in the LXX . Heaviness . κατήφεια : another ἄπαξ λεγόμενον , apparently never found in the LXX . or in the apostolic Fathers; it is, however, used by Josephus and Philo. It is equivalent to "dejection," and "exactly describes the attitude of the publican, who would not lift up so much as his eyes... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 4:10

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:7-10

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:7-10

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:9

Group of Brands