James 4
Lutheran reading notes
In James chapter 4, the message of the gospel develops the theme of practical faith demonstrated through works. Lutheran interpretation frequently emphasizes the proclamation of Christ, the distinction between law and gospel, and the promise of justification through faith.
1
From whence {come} wars and fightings among you? {come they} not hence, {even} of your lusts that war in your members? {fightings: or, brawlings} {lusts: or, pleasures}
James 4:1 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:2 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume {it} upon your lusts. {lusts: or, pleasures}
James 4:3 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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 4:4 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? {to envy: or, enviously?}
James 4:5 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:6 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse {your} hands, {ye} sinners; and purify {your} hearts, {ye} double minded.
James 4:8 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and {your} joy to heaviness.
James 4:9 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:10 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of {his} brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
James 4:11 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
James 4:12 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
James 4:13 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
Whereas ye know not what {shall be} on the morrow. For what {is} your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. {It...: or, For it is}
James 4:14 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
For that ye {ought} to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
James 4:15 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
James 4:16 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth {it} not, to him it is sin.
James 4:17 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.