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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHT INTO Jas_4:1-10
A. The diatribe (literary technique of using a supposed objector to present the author's message) of previous sections continues in Jas_4:1-10 with two rhetorical questions in Jas_4:1.
B. This chapter deals with Christians' struggle with their fallen natures, exacerbated by the influence of worldly wisdom in the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 1-2). This may relate to the rivalry of church leaders (teachers, cf. 1 Corinthians 3)) of chapter 3, whose actions influence all Christians.
C. This section reflects Christians' continuing struggle with their fallen natures. Christians are addressed in such terms as "adulteresses," "sinners," and "double-minded." The three enemies of mankind are listed in this section.
1. fallen nature (Jas_4:1-2, and possibly 5)
2. the world system (Jas_4:4)
3. the devil (Jas_4:7)
These three enemies also appear in Eph_2:2-3 (cf. W. T. Conner, Christian Doctrine, pp. 248-249).
D. The Jerome Biblical Commentary outlines these verses as (1) root causes of conflict (Jas_4:1-6) and (2) remedies (Jas_4:7-10) (p. 374). This is a valid way to outline this section. It is related to the improper use of the tongue as in chapter 3.
E. Jas_4:5 is very ambiguous because
1. The Scriptural referent is uncertain
2. The original reading is uncertain (see Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary On the Greek NT, p. 683)
a. The causative form, katôkisev, which would mean God has caused His Spirit to be in believers (in MSS P74, à , A, B).
b. The intransitive form, katôkçsev, which would mean the Spirit indwells believers (in MSS K, L, P).
3. The punctuation is uncertain
a. One question leading to an unknown quote in NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, NAB (possibly from a lost Jewish apocalyptic writing)
b. Two questions leading to the OT quote (Pro_3:34 from the Septuagint) in Jas_4:6 in ASV, Moffatt and Phillips translations
4. The meaning of "jealously desires" is uncertain
a. God yearns for His Spirit to guide believers' lives (Exo_34:14; Deu_4:24; Deu_6:14-15). This would mean a positive connotation, "zealous" or "jealous" and a capital "s" Spirit.
b. Mankind's fallen nature yearns for world pleasures (cf. Rom_8:1-8). This would mean a negative connotation, "envy" and a small "s" spirit.
5. The verse may refer to
a. God's jealous love for believers' complete allegiance to Him
b. Mankind's total corruption (Jas_4:5), but God's grace (Jas_4:6) (cf. TEV).
F. In Jas_4:7-10 there is a series of ten aorist imperatives which denote urgent commands. This structure reminds one of the OT wisdom teachers and the rhetoric of the OT prophets.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is judging among Christians such a serious sin?
2. Why is the frailty of human life such a recurring biblical theme?