RSV ~ James 4 Notes

Jas 4:1-2 | ISB Notes

Wars among men are a symptom of the spiritual war within man, whose incessant drive for power and possessions spreads envy and violence throughout the world. The root problem is that our members too easily yield to the inclinations of our fallen nature (1 Pet 2:11). See note on Rom 7:23.

Jas 4:3 | ISB Notes

You … do not receive: Prayers go unanswered when we seek what will gratify our cravings instead of the help we need to better ourselves. Corrupt motives impede our petitions in the same way that doubt does (1:5-8) (CCC 2737).

Jas 4:4 | ISB Notes

Unfaithful creatures!: Literally, “Adulteresses!”

• The Prophets used this epithet for the idolaters of Israel, whose infidelity to the covenant was considered spiritual adultery against Yahweh (Jer 3:6-10; 31:32; Hos 3:1). James charges some of his own readers with idolatry because their love for created things has overpowered their love for the Creator (see 1 Jn 2:15). Their friendship with the world stands in stark contrast to righteous Abraham, who became a “friend of God” because he was willing to surrender even his most beloved possession (Isaac) to please the Lord (Jas 2:21-23).

Jas 4:5 | ISB Notes

He yearns jealously: This saying is not found verbatim in any extant text of the OT. It is probably a paraphrase of several biblical verses and ideas.

• According to the RSV translation of the passage, God has given us a spirit to inhabit our bodies (Gen 6:3), and he jealously forbids allegiance to any other gods besides him (Ex 20:5). Another, perhaps preferable, translation is the following: “The spirit he has made to dwell in us yearns enviously.” Read in this way, the passage stresses that envy corrupts the spirit of man and makes it a friend of the world rather than a friend of God, who gave it (4:4; Gen 8:21).

Jas 4:6 | ISB Notes

God opposes the proud: A citation from Prov 3:34. The point is that pride, because it blinds us to our deepest needs, keeps us from the grace that is necessary to meet those needs (1 Pet 5:5).

• God punishes thieves, perjurers, gluttons, and other sinners because they despise his commandments. However, he resists the proud in a special way, because they rely on their own strength as if they could save themselves without help from above. On the other hand, God gives grace to the humble because they recognize their need and ask God for help in overcoming their sins (St. Bede, On the Seven Catholic Epistles at Jas 4:6).

Jas 4:7 | ISB Notes

Resist the devil: Resistance is possible only because the power of God within us is greater than the power of the Evil One present in the world (1 Jn 4:4). For similar exhortations, see Eph 6:11-17 and 1 Pet 5:8-9.

Jas 4:8 | ISB Notes

Draw near to God: A call to return to the covenant and reestablish friendship with God (Zech 1:3; Mal 3:7).

Cleanse your hands: The priests of Israel used to wash their hands before ministering in the sanctuary (Ex 30:17-21). James speaks, not of cultic purity, but of moral purity, exhorting readers to wash themselves of evil deeds and intentions. Purification is demanded of everyone who approaches the all-holy God (Ps 24:4-5; Is 1:15-16).

Jas 4:9 | ISB Notes

mourn and weep: A call to shed tears of repentance (Mt 5:4). Catholic tradition refers to this as “compunction” of heart.

Jas 4:10 | ISB Notes

Humble yourselves … exalt you: Echoes the saying of Jesus in Mt 23:12, which is likewise paraphrased in 1 Pet 5:6.

Jas 4:11 | ISB Notes

Do not speak evil: Believers are forbidden to malign each other with either true (detraction) or false information (calumny). This behavior is injurious because it uses words to put others down and lift oneself up. James warns that one who speaks evil vaults himself above the law and therefore into the place of God, who alone is the “lawgiver and judge” of our neighbor (4:12) (CCC 2477).

• This is probably an allusion to the prohibition against slander in Lev 19:16. See note on Jas 2:8.

Jas 4:14 | ISB Notes

you are a mist: A rebuke for those who plan their lives without consideration of God’s will. Such behavior is actually arrogant (4:16), because it fails to acknowledge how short and uncertain life really is and how God alone has the absolute power to determine whether our plans come to pass or fall apart.

Jas 4:17 | ISB Notes

Whoever knows … and fails: Knowledge of the truth makes one responsible for acting in accord with it (1:22; 2:1426). Failure to act on the truth is a sin of omission (CCC 1853).