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James 4:8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

James 4:8

Verse 8 of 17

Scripture focus

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

James 4:8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on James 4:8

Theological / Devotional

Draw nigh. This imperative is the secret of successful resistance against Satan (cf. v. 7). Though God is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27), He nevertheless expects us to seek Him (see 2 Chron. 15:2; Ps. 145:18; Isa. 55:6). We draw nigh to God by faith (see Heb. 7:25) and by true repentance (see Hosea 14:1; Mal. 3:7).

He. As the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son saw his son “when he was yet a great way off” (Luke 15:20), our heavenly Father is longing and waiting for us to turn to Him. However, He will not force us to accept His love (see PP 384).

Cleanse. The cleansing of the hands was symbolic of the removal of guilt (see Deut. 21:6; Ps. 24:4; 26:6; 73:13; Matt. 27:24; see on Isa. 1:15, 16). Paul specifies “holy hands” as one of the conditions of answered prayer (see 1 Tim. 2:8).

Sinners. Compare the epithet “adulterers and adulteresses” (v. 4).

Purify. See on 1 John 3:3.

Double minded. See on James 1:8. There must be no divided loyalties.

By SdaBc