James 4:6
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But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
But--"Nay, rather." he--God. giveth more grace--ever increasing grace; the farther ye depart from "envy" [BENGEL]. he saith--The same God who causes His spirit to dwell in believers (Jam 4:5), by the Spirit also speaks in Scripture. The quotation here is probably from Pro 3:34; as probably Pro 21:10 was generally referred to in Jam 4:5. In Hebrew it is "scorneth the scorners," namely, those who think "Scripture speaketh in vain." resisteth--literally, "setteth Himself in array against"; even as they, like Pharaoh, set themselves against Him. God repays sinners in their own coin. "Pride" is the mother of "envy" (Jam 4:5); it is peculiarly satanic, for by it Satan fell. the proud--The Greek means in derivation one who shows himself above his fellows, and so lifts himself against God. the humble--the unenvious, uncovetous, and unambitious as to the world. Contrast Jam 4:4.
Open source ↗In this chapter we are directed to consider, I. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against them (Jam 4:1-5). II. We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to God (Jam 4:4-10). III. All detraction and rash judgment of others are to be carefully avoided (Jam 4:11, Jam 4:12). IV. We must preserve a constant regard, and pay the utmost deference to the disposals of divine Providence (Jam 4:13 to the end).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then He will save the lowly.
So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”