Jam 4:4-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jas 4:4-10: 4:4-10 James explains the causes of conflict: love for the world, divided loyalty, and arrogant criticism (4:11-12 ). He gives exhortations which will rectify these causes and lead to peace. 4:4 You adulterers: James uses this prophetic imagery (see, e.g., Jer 3:6 ; Hos 3:1 ) because his readers were seeking what friendship with the world could give them—social acceptance (Jas 2:1-4 ), prestige (3:1 ), or wealth (4:13 ). Divided loyalty toward God (4:8 ) is like adultery against one’s spouse. • In the ancient world, friend was used as a title for special and exclusive relationships (Luke 23:12 , Herod and Pilate; John 19:12 , Pilate as “friend of Caesar”; see also 1 Maccabees 2:18; 6:28). Both Moses (Exod 33:11 ) and Abraham were called friends of God (Jas 2:23 ; 2 Chr 20:7 ; Isa 41:8 ; cp. John 15:15 ). • The world consists of society that is opposed to God and his kingdom. The world is guided by earthly wisdom, not heavenly (Jas 3:15-17 ), and is characterized by evil desires, fighting, and killing (4:2-3 ).

Summary for Jas 4:4-10: 4:4-10 ^a James explains the causes of conflict: love for the world, divided loyalty, and arrogant criticism (4:11-12 ^b). He gives exhortations which will rectify these causes and lead to peace. 4:4 ^c You adulterers: James uses this prophetic imagery (see, e.g., Jer 3:6 ^d; Hos 3:1 ^e) because his readers were seeking what friendship with the world could give them—social acceptance (Jas 2:1-4 ^f), prestige (3:1 ^g), or wealth (4:13 ^h). Divided loyalty toward God (4:8 ⁱ) is like adultery against one’s spouse.

• In the ancient world, friend was used as a title for special and exclusive relationships (Luke 23:12 ^j, Herod and Pilate; John 19:12 ^k, Pilate as “friend of Caesar”; see also 1 Maccabees 2:18; 6:28). Both Moses (Exod 33:11 ^l) and Abraham were called friends of God (Jas 2:23 ^m; 2 Chr 20:7 ⁿ; Isa 41:8 ^o; cp. John 15:15 ^p).

• The world consists of society that is opposed to God and his kingdom. The world is guided by earthly wisdom, not heavenly (Jas 3:15-17 ^q), and is characterized by evil desires, fighting, and killing (4:2-3 ^r).
4:5 ^s Scriptures ... say: James summarizes one of the messages of Scripture, that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
4:7 ^t Resist the devil: See also Eph 6:11 ^u; 1 Pet 5:8 ^v.
4:8 ^w Come close to God: This is the language of friendship (2:23 ^x) and loyalty (1:6-8 ^y).

• Wash your hands ... purify your hearts: The language of ceremonial cleansing is applied to the inner purity of one’s intentions (cp. Mark 7:1-23 ^z).
4:10 ^aa To those who humble themselves before him, God gives honor in place of the shame of their persecution and oppression (Jas 2:6-7 ^ab).