Welcome to the fourth of five studies on james chapter 4. Its influenced by proverbs and frequently quotes jesus sermon on the mount. Do they not come from your desires for pleasure a that war in your members. James will treat the problem of riches in the next chapter. Rather than simply not harming others, the bible actually obligates us to actively do what is right. The false wisdom that comes from envy and selfish ambition produces disorder 3. In chapter 3, the scripture ended by stressing the peace that results from heavenly wisdom.
The epistle was probably written before the gentile congregations. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading be mature james. Top 5 commentaries on the book of james ligonier ministries. James 4 what causes quarrels and what causes fights. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where james described the selfseeking wisdom of the world.
Access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. James 4 commentary ironsides notes on selected books. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. Now james emphasizes the strife so common among his readers, stemming from their unsatisfied, selfish desires. James chapter 4 matthew henry concise commentary on. James 4, new international version niv the bible app. The book of james calls on the messianic community to live. Here are cautions against corrupt affections, and love of this world, which is enmity to god. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 4 the greeting 1. He was the one who formulated the final decision which the whole church accepted. You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. In james chapter 4, the apostle of christ wrote about the origins of war, lust, and lifes uncertainties.
True wisdom makes men meek, and avoiders of strife and envy. Every day we read or see on the tv multiple stories of conflict. Guzik bible commentary 20 david guzik no distribution beyond personal use without permission for more information and resources visit. Commentaries for james chapter 4 applications for the church today. This paragraph has many terms and forms unique to this context. The jerome biblical commentary outlines these verses as 1 root causes of conflict james 4. Study guide for james 4 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of james, chapter 5 free bible commentary. Faith is hindered by strife and contention, by prayerlessness and by worldliness. Part of the reason for this is that james is like proverbs in that many of its verses really stand alone in their content.
Your prayer life or lack thereof reveals the focus of your heart. Also, there is an enemy within each of us, engaged in mortal combat. Written by jesus half brother jacob, the book of james shares sage wisdom for all the churches and followers of jesus. Introduction prior to 1539, if one had said, turn with me to the first chapter of the book of james, there would have been a great rustling of pages in the congregation, with many puzzled looks. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations.
More probably is the view that james was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several old testament passages. Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of god. The chapter also presents a unique aspect of christian ethics. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues v. Commentary on the book of james by matthew henry new. Following this worldliness was the cause of fights among. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where james described the self seeking wisdom of the world. As james says, it is sin to know the right thing to do, and choose not to do it james 4. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day. Pride is often the greatest challenge one will face in his or her life. And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the sadducees, came upon them, 2.
Indeed, you would not have found the book of james included among the new testament books at all. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against them v. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one of the general epistles, including 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude. James chapter 4 small group starter questions james is still talking to christians. The friendship of the world is enmity with god, james 4.
The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. James 4 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. He claimed that the reason that the people he was writing to did not have what they wanted was because they either did not ask for it or they asked for. The honesty of the gods word is apparent in that it does not concern itself with political correctness.
James appears to have been the chairman of the church council at jerusalem that dealt with the question of circumcision for gentiles who had accepted the gospel of jesus christ. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is from the most widely read and often quoted preacher in history. The epistle of james chapter four objectives in studying the chapter 1 to gain insight into the source of wars and fighting, even among brethren 2 to see the importance and means of befriending god, of not speaking evil of brethren, and planning for the future with the lords will in mind summary james asks his readers to consider the. James discussion of the inappropriate emphasis on wealth starts in james 4. James 4 what causes quarrels and what causes fights among. It is not necessary to apply these verses through james 4. As we look at this chapter, it is important to remember that the book of james is written to christians. The commentary section includes running commentary on the bible text with reference to several modern versions, especially the new international version and the new revised standard. All detraction and rash judgment of others are to be. And to break gods commands, is to speak evil of them, and to judge them, as if they laid too great a restraint upon us.
David guzik commentary on james 4, where james emphasizes the humble character of a living faith and of a dependency on god. The origin of wars and contentions, and the wretched lot of those who are engaged in them, james 4. This is an extension of the same humility that james writes about in this chapter. James chapter 4 this is the fourth of five bible study worksheets one for each of the five chapters of the book of james. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through jesus the resurrection from the dead. The rebuke of their selfsufficient attitude james 4. Of these james treats in chapter 4 and shows that submission to the will of god enables one to overcome all these tendencies and so to walk in faith, looking to god for his guidance from day to day.
Resist, by faith, and the rest of the spiritual armour, ephesians 6. Satan can be set running by the resistance of the lowliest believer who comes in the authority of what jesus did on the cross. Douglas webster is very helpful in telling us to see james as a spiritual director for the church. James, chapter 4 king james version christian answers. James is a book that many of us know random verses from, yet we tend to not really know the book that well. So james says that self versus self is at the heart of all relational conflicts. James combines the wisdom of his brother jesus with the book of proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to god. All people, regardless of wealth, social standing or any other condition, who make their life plans without respect to the will of god are the ones remonstrated. The new testament part of this old work was first published in 18321851. James, like all of the general epistles except hebrews, is named after its author verse 1. In the first three chapters he is going to speak of the verification of genuine faith and give us some of the ways god tests faith. It is related to the improper use of the tongue as in chapter 3. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. His eye was on envy as at the bottom of many of the contentions and strifes existing on earth, james 3.
When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. James rosscup writes that barnes includes 16 volumes on the old testament, 11 on the new testament. In james 4 there is a logical progression throughout the chapter, while still allowing some verses to cover individual topics. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against. It shows what happens to christians and churches when they chose to live for selfish desires and for the things of this world rather than god. We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to god v. He pondered why people lust and fight over things and still are unable to have them. Here in chapter 4 the context is the same see notes on 4. The author is identified only as james, and there are four men so named in the new testament. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others.
James 4 niv bible what causes fights and quarrels among. Trials and temptations consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Growing up in christ the be series commentary kindle edition by wiersbe, warren w download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue. Up to that time, you would not have found the book where it is today in any english translation. James 3 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Chapter context the book of james is about what it means for a christian to live a life of complete trust in god. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.
He poses as a friend promising pleasure, but his end is death. James 4 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. The book of james, chapter 4 free bible commentary. James 3 not many of you should become teachers, my. James chapter 4 coffmans commentary of the new testament.