James 1:8

8 They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways.

James 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

James 1:8

A double minded man
A man of two souls, or of a double heart, that speaks and asks with an heart, and an heart, as in ( Psalms 12:2 ) who halts between two opinions, and is at an uncertainty what to do or say, and is undetermined what to ask for; or who is not sincere and upright in his requests, who asks for one thing, and means another, and asks amiss, and with an ill design; does not call upon God in truth, and in the sincerity of his soul; draws nigh to him with his mouth, and honours him with his lips, but his heart is far from him. Such an one is

unstable in all his ways;
he is confused in his mind; restless in his thoughts, unsettled in his designs and intentions; inconstant in his petitions; uncertain in his notions and opinion of things; and very variable in his actions, and especially in matters of religion; he is always changing, and never at a point, but at a continual uncertainty, both in a way of thinking and doing: he never continues long either in an opinion, or in a practice, but is ever shifting and moving.

James 1:8 In-Context

6 Whoever asks shouldn't hesitate. They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the surf of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind.

7 People like that should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord.

8 They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways.

9 Brothers and sisters who are poor should find satisfaction in their high status.

10 Those who are wealthy should find satisfaction in their low status, because they will die off like wildflowers.