ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for James 4

James 4:1 passions. Self-centered desires cause these people to make war against each other in the church. Here “war” is a metaphor for the traumatic effect of bitter hostility.

James 4:2 People desire and covet (“jealousy,” 3:14), which leads to the terrible fighting in the church. You do not have, because you do not ask. Believers should ask God for what they need, rather than fighting each other. Bringing requests before God can have a purifying influence on one’s desires.

James 4:3 you ask wrongly. They focus on satisfying self-centered passions rather than honoring God and advancing his kingdom purposes.

James 4:4 adulterous people. Old Testament prophets used this language to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (Jer. 2:20; 3:6–10; Hos. 1:2). friendship with the world. Loving this world’s beliefs and pleasures more than God.

James 4:5 He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us. God wants to protect what is rightfully his. He created mankind with a “spirit,” and he deeply desires that our spirits worship him (see John 4:23–24). He has redeemed us. He deserves our worship and friendship.

James 4:6 God’s grace will be extended to those who are humble before him (see v. 10; also Prov. 3:34; Luke 1:52; 1 Pet. 5:5–6). God opposes means he resists and sends judgment.

James 4:7–8a The only way to resist the devil is by submitting and drawing near to God (compare 1 Cor. 10:13).

James 4:8b–9 Cleanse and purify are OT terms for ritual purity and ethical purity. Laughter shows how casually James’s readers were treating their sin. The only proper reaction to God’s coming judgment is to be wretched and mourn and weep (see Isa. 15:2; 22:4; Jer. 6:26).

James 4:10 See note on v. 6.

James 4:11 James restates the basic problem behind the issues discussed in 3:1–4:10: the misuse of speech to speak evil or to slander others. Such conduct is rejected in the OT (Lev. 19:16; Jer. 6:28) and NT (Rom. 1:30; 2 Cor. 12:20; 1 Pet. 2:1). judges the law. The “law” likely refers to OT laws against slander, particularly Lev. 19:16, 18. Yet it also includes Jesus’ kingdom laws regarding love for neighbor (Matt. 22:39) and for one another (John 13:34–35). See note on James 2:2–4.

James 4:12 When a person begins to “judge the law,” he rebels against the one lawgiver and judge. God alone gave the law. He alone is judge of all (Ps. 9:19; Isa. 2:4; Joel 3:12). to save and to destroy. Possibly a warning of future judgment to the divisive boasters.

James 4:13–5:12 The Sins of the Wealthy. James condemns the sins of the wealthy (pride, 4:13–17; and robbing the poor, 5:1–6). He then calls for patience in suffering (5:7–11).

James 4:13 trade and make a profit. On the surface this sounds like good business sense. But it masks a secular outlook that ignores God. These people are probably Christians belonging to the wealthy merchant class.

James 4:14 you. These business people think they control events. They fail to recognize God’s authority and the temporary nature of life. Planning and investing are not wrong, but arrogant self-confidence and boasting are.

James 4:15 The key to vv. 13–17 is if the Lord wills. “Lord” refers to Yahweh as Creator. He sustains the universe and controls all that happens. Every business decision must be based on submission to God’s will.

James 4:17 Fails to do it describes the good acts that people do not do. This is as important to God as the sinful acts that they do.