📖 James — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
James 4:1 From Rwhence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
James 4:2 Ye Rlust, 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 4:3 Ye Rask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
James 4:4 Ye Radulterers 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 4:5 Do ye think that Rthe scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, RGod resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:7 RSubmit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 RDraw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:9 Be Rafflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
James 4:10 RHumble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:11 RSpeak 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 4:12 There is one Rlawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
James 4:13 RGo 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 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even Ra vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
James 4:16 RBut now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
James 4:1–6 — Quarrels and misplaced desires
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
James traces conflict to competing desires and prayers aimed at consumption, opposing pride and friendship with the world.
Key Truth: Examine the desires driving your conflicts.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “From ____ come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, …” (James 4:1)
Find it in James 4:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a ____ of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
Find it in James 4:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the ____ .” (James 4:6)
Find it in James 4:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
James 4:7–12 — Humble yourselves before God
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Submission, resistance to the devil, cleansing, and humility lead to a warning against condemning a brother from God's judgment seat.
Key Truth: Practice humility before judging another person.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will …” (James 4:7)
Find it in James 4:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall …” (James 4:10)
Find it in James 4:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “There is one ____ , who is able to save and to destroy: who …” (James 4:12)
Find it in James 4:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
James 4:13–17 — Plans under God's will
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Confident business plans ignore life's uncertainty. James calls for acknowledgment of God's will and responsible action upon known good.
Key Truth: Plan humbly and act on the good you know.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to ____ we will go into such a city, and continue there …” (James 4:13)
Find it in James 4:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For that ye ____ to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and …” (James 4:15)
Find it in James 4:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Therefore to him that ____ to do good, and doeth it not, to him it …” (James 4:17)
Find it in James 4:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 27:1 — The warning against boasting about tomorrow connects with James' teaching.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What known good should you do instead of postponing it?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes James 4:1–6 (Quarrels and misplaced desires) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes James 4:7–12 (Humble yourselves before God) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes James 4:13–17 (Plans under God's will) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What paired response is commanded concerning God and the devil?
5. How should plans acknowledge dependence on the Lord?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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