Commentari biblici

Lusts (ἡδονῶν)

Lit., pleasures, as Rev. Properly, sensual pleasures. The sinful pleasures are the outgrowths of the lusts, James 4:2.

That war (στρατευομένων)

The thought of wars and rightings is carried into the figurative description of the sensuality which arrays its forces and carries on its campaign in the members. The verb does not imply mere fighting, but all that is included in military service. A remarkable parallel occurs in Plato, "Phaedo," 66: "For whence come wars and rightings and factions? Whence but from the body and the lusts of the body?" Compare 1 Peter 2:11; Romans 7:23.

Ye lust

See on desire, 1 Peter 1:12; and Mark 4:19.

Desire to have (ζηλοῦτε)

Rev., covet, and are jealous, in margin. See on James 3:14.

Ye ask (αἰτεῖτε)

See on ἠρώτων, besought, Matthew 15:23.

Amiss (κακῶς)

Lit., evilly: with evil intent, as explained by the following sentence.

Consume it upon (δαπανησήτε ἐν)

More correctly, as Rev., spend it in. The sense is not lay out expense upon your pleasures, but spend in the exercise of; under the dominion of.

Ye adulterers (μοιχοὶ)

All the best texts omit.

Adulteresses (μοιχαλίδες)

The feminine term is the general designation of all whom James here rebukes. The apostate members of the church are figuratively regarded as unfaithful spouses; according to the common Old-Testament figure, in which God is the bridegroom or husband to whom his people are wedded. See Jeremiah 3; Hosea 2, Hosea 3:1-5, 4; Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 62:4, Isaiah 62:5. Also, Matthew 12:39; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:9.

Will be (βουληθῇ εἶναι)

More correctly, as Rev., would be. Lit., may have been minded to be.

Is the enemy (καθίσταται)

Thereby constitutes himself. Rev., maketh himself. See on James 3:6.

Do ye think (δοκεῖτε)

See on James 1:26.

The scripture (ἡ γραφὴ)

See on Mark 12:10. Properly, a passage of scripture.

In vain (κενῶς)

Only here in New Testament.

Resisteth

See on 1 Peter 5:5.

Proud

See on Mark 7:22.

Humble

See on Matthew 7:29.

Submit yourselves (ὑποτάγητε)

Rev., be subject. The verb means to place or arrange under; as resist (James 4:6) is to array against. God sets himself in array against the proud; therefore, array yourselves under God, that ye may withstand the devil.

Purify (ἁγνίσατε)

One of the three instances in the New Testament in which the word is not used of ceremonial purification. The others are 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3.

Double-minded (δίψυχοι)

Compare James 1:8.