Santiago 4:1-12

Sométanse a Dios

1 ¿De dónde surgen las guerras y los conflictos entre ustedes? ¿No es precisamente de las pasiones que luchan dentro de ustedes mismos?^[a]

2 Desean algo y no lo consiguen. Matan y sienten envidia, y no pueden obtener lo que quieren. Riñen y se hacen la guerra. No tienen, porque no piden.

3 Y cuando piden, no reciben porque piden con malas intenciones, para satisfacer sus propias pasiones.

4 ¡Oh gente adúltera! ¿No saben que la amistad con el mundo es enemistad con Dios? Si alguien quiere ser amigo del mundo se vuelve enemigo de Dios.

5 ¿O creen que la Escritura dice en vano que Dios ama celosamente al espíritu que hizo morar en nosotros?^[b]

6 Pero él nos da mayor ayuda con su gracia. Por eso dice la Escritura:«Dios se opone a los orgullosos,pero da gracia a los humildes».^[c]

7 Así que sométanse a Dios. Resistan al diablo, y él huirá de ustedes.

8 Acérquense a Dios, y él se acercará a ustedes. ¡Pecadores, límpiense las manos! ¡Ustedes los inconstantes, purifiquen su corazón!

9 Reconozcan sus miserias, lloren y laméntense. Que su risa se convierta en llanto, y su alegría en tristeza.

10 Humíllense delante del Señor, y él los exaltará.

11 Hermanos, no hablen mal unos de otros. Si alguien habla mal de su hermano, o lo juzga, habla mal de la ley y la juzga. Y si juzgas la ley, ya no eres cumplidor de la ley, sino su juez.

12 No hay más que un solo legislador y juez, aquel que puede salvar y destruir. Tú, en cambio, ¿quién eres para juzgar a tu prójimo?

Santiago 4:1-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 4

In this chapter the apostle gives the true cause of contentions and strifes; and cautions against intemperance, covetousness, pride, detraction, and vain confidence. Having, in the latter part of the preceding chapter, inveighed against strife and contention, he here shows from whence they spring, from a covetous desire of riches and honour; and which yet are not obtained, because they did not ask these things of God with submission to his will; or they asked with a wrong view, namely, to gratify their lusts, Jas 4:1,3 and he dissuades from such unlawful desires, partly because they were no other than adultery; and partly because indulging them was declaring themselves enemies of God, Jas 4:4 and he deters from pride, under the name of envy, proud men being generally envious; from the sense of the Scripture, which says, not in vain, that the spirit lusts unto it; and from the consequence of it, such as are proud being resisted by the Lord, when he gives more grace to humble ones, Jas 4:5,6 hence follow several exhortations, and various duties relating to humility; as to submit to God, and resist the devil, encouraged thereunto by this motive, he will flee, Jas 4:7, to draw nigh to God in a way of religious worship, who will draw nigh in a way of grace to his people; to purity of action, and of heart, or to that which is outward and inward, Jas 4:8 to be humbled, mourn, and weep, instead of joy and laughter, Jas 4:9 to lie low before the Lord, who will raise such up, Jas 4:10 and not to speak evil of anyone, since this is judging a brother; nay, a speaking evil of the law, and a judging of that; which is to invade the prerogative of God, the lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy; and therefore one man should not take upon him to judge another, Jas 4:11,12 and as another instance of great neglect of God, and his providence, and disrespect unto it, the apostle takes notice of a common practice among men, and even professors of religion, who resolve to go to such a place, and continue so long, and there make merchandise, and promise themselves success; not considering what frail short lived creatures they are, and how much all depends upon the will of God; and which they should consider, submit to, and be determined by, Jas 4:13-15 and he reproves them for their boastings and joy in them, as evil, Jas 4:16, and observes, that it is not enough to know what is right and good, unless it is done; and that such knowledge is but an aggravation of the evil of sin committed, Jas 4:17.

Footnotes

• [a]. "luchan " "… " "mismos" . Lit. "hacen guerra en sus miembros" .
• [b]. "Dios " "… " "nosotros" . Alt. "el espíritu que él hizo morar en nosotros envidia intensamente" , o "el Espíritu que él hizo morar en nosotros ama celosamente" .
• [c]. Pr 3:34