Bible Chapter Summary
James 4 Summary
Submit to God, Resist Evil
James traces conflicts among believers to lusts warring within members and asks the Lord's will in prayer. He condemns friendship with the world as enmity with God, calling them adulterers and adulteresses. He calls them to submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, cleanse hands, purify hearts, and humble themselves. He forbids speaking evil of brothers and judging the law, warning that life is but a vapor. The chapter ends with the principle that whoever knows to do good and does it not commits sin.
Key themes
Key verses
James 4:1
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
James 4:4
“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.”
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:17
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
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