James 4 Study Notes

4:10 The words humble yourselves . . . and he will exalt you summarize the path to having forgiveness from God as well as reconciliation among members of the congregation.

4:11-12 Criticism is malicious, judgmental speech toward others. It violates the “royal law” (2:8) and by extension the Mosaic law. Since the one who gave the law also judges according to it, there are never grounds for critical speech directed toward another member of the congregation.

4:13-17 In this section the issue is boastful speech that indicates arrogance. It is unclear whether the merchants of v. 17 were all Christians, but v. 15 suggests that some were.

4:13-14 In a hypothetical but realistic scenario, James accused a merchant who had big designs on making a profit of leaving God out of his plans. Neglecting to entrust our hopes and plans to God and his counsel is paramount to arrogance and unbelief. If he is really the Lord of our lives, we see all things as coming from his hands, and we speak of plans and outcomes accordingly.

4:15-16 The phrase you should say and what follows indicate that it is God’s will that conditions the course of life. The merchants did not recognize this; they were boasting, but such boasting is arrogance and evil.

4:17 This was probably a maxim known to James. An example of this verse is found in 5:4.