Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - James 4:8 - 4:8
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Draw nigh to God; by faith, which is a coming to God, Heb_7:25; by true repentance, which is a returning to God, Hos_14:1 Mal_3:7; and by fervent prayer to him for the help of his grace, Psa_25:1.
And he will draw nigh to you; by the manifestation of his grace and favour to you, particularly giving you strength against the devil and your lusts.
Cleanse your hands; reform your actions, amend your lives. Hands, the principal instruments of bodily actions, being put for the actions themselves; cleanness of hands signifies the innocency of the outward conversation, Job_22:30 Psa_24:4 26:6 Isa_33:15,16.
Ye sinners; you that are openly and notoriously vicious, whose wickedness appears in your ordinary practices: so such are called, Mat_11:19 Mar_2:15 Luk_7:37 15:2 Joh_9:31.
And purify your hearts; your thoughts and inward affections, from whence the evils of your outward actions proceed, Isa_60:7: see 1Pe_1:22 1Jo_3:3.
Ye double minded; either by the former he understands the profane, and by these, hypocrites, or the same by both, viz. such as had wicked hearts, and led wicked lives; only he shows wherein true repentance consists, viz. in the reformation both of the inward and outward man.