James
Chapter 4
Discord
What causes these fights and quarrels among you? Isn’t it your cravings that provoke war within you?
When you desire something you can’t have, you may kill for it, and when you’re denied what you want, you argue and fight. The truth is, you don’t get what you want because you don’t ask.
You pray for something and don’t get it because your motives are driven by seeking pleasure.
Adulterers! Don’t you realize that making friends with the world makes you enemies of God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.
Can you not see the point of the saying in scripture: “The longing of the spirit he sent to dwell in us, is a jealous longing?”
But God has something better to give, and scripture also says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubters.
Recognize your distress, be miserable, and weep. Turn your laughter into tears and your joy into sadness.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Brothers and sisters, do not criticize each other. Anyone who speaks against or condemns another person is speaking against the law and condemning the law. If, however, you condemn the law, you are no longer just an observer of the law but a judge over it.
There is one lawgiver and one judge: the one with the power to save or condemn. So, who are you to judge your neighbor?
Rich and Satisfied
Listen now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this city and stay there for a year; we will do business and make money.’
You have no idea what tomorrow might bring. What is your life? It’s nothing more than a mist that appears for a moment and then vanishes.
Instead, you should say, ‘God willing, we will live and do this or that.’
But no! You boast about your plans: this shameless pride is wicked.
Anyone who knows what is good and does not do it, sins.
Commentaries
Discord.
Many issues affecting communities come from outside sources. However, in this case, James emphasizes problems that originate from within: some brothers are allowing evil desires like ambition, greed, and violence to take root in their hearts. Verses 7-10 include a series of commands that urge transformation and choosing God’s plan—not just with words but through specific actions: drawing near to God, cleansing the hands, sanctifying the conscience, recognizing personal limits, and practicing humility. In verses 11 and beyond, the reference to Jesus’ message about not judging others to avoid being judged (Mt 7:1-5) is clear.
Rich and Satisfied.
James clearly condemns the arrogant attitude of those who dedicate their lives solely to getting rich, ignoring God and their fellow humans. This is followed by a prophetic (Is 13:6; 15:3) and apocalyptic (Rev 18:11-19) lament about the threat of divine judgment, which will be against the wealthy who unjustly gain their wealth through extortion and exploitation of workers (Dt 24:14ff; Lv 19:13). The wealthy condemn and kill the innocent when they deprive them of a fair wage, steal their possessions through manipulation of the courts, or use violence via mercenaries, among other things.