Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
4:4-10 James explains the causes of conflict: love for the world, divided loyalty, and arrogant criticism (4:11-12). He gives exhortations which will rectify these causes and lead to peace. 4:4 You adulterers: James uses this prophetic imagery (see, e.g., Jer 3:6; Hos 3:1) because his readers were seeking what friendship with the world could give them—social acceptance (Jas 2:1-4), prestige (3:1), or wealth (4:13). Divided loyalty toward God (4:8) is like adultery against one’s spouse. • In the ancient world, friend was used as a title for special and exclusive relationships (Luke 23:12, Herod and Pilate; John 19:12, Pilate as “friend of Caesar”; see also 1 Maccabees 2:18; 6:28). Both Moses (Exod 33:11) and Abraham were called friends of God (Jas 2:23; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; cp. John 15:15). • The world consists of society that is opposed to God and his kingdom. The world is guided by earthly wisdom, not heavenly (Jas 3:15-17), and is characterized by evil desires, fighting, and killing (4:2-3).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
4:4-10 James explains the causes of conflict: love for the world, divided loyalty, and arrogant criticism (4:11-12). He gives exhortations which will rectify these causes and lead to peace. 4:4 You adulterers: James uses this prophetic imagery (see, e.g., Jer 3:6; Hos 3:1) because his readers were seeking what friendship with the world could give them—social acceptance (Jas 2:1-4), prestige (3:1), or wealth (4:13). Divided loyalty toward God (4:8) is like adultery against one’s spouse. • In the ancient world, friend was used as a title for special and exclusive relationships (Luke 23:12, Herod and Pilate; John 19:12, Pilate as “friend of Caesar”; see also 1 Maccabees 2:18; 6:28). Both Moses (Exod 33:11) and Abraham were called friends of God (Jas 2:23; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; cp. John 15:15). • The world consists of society that is opposed to God and his kingdom. The world is guided by earthly wisdom, not heavenly (Jas 3:15-17), and is characterized by evil desires, fighting, and killing (4:2-3).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
Adulterers and adulteresses! have ye not known that friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever, then, may counsel to be a friend of the world, an enemy of God he is set.
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
μοιχοι και μοιχαλιδες ουκ οιδατε οτι η φιλια του κοσμου εχθρα του θεου εστιν ος εαν ουν βουληθη φιλος ειναι του κοσμου εχθρος του θεου καθισταται
King James Version
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King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
O you who are false to God, do you not see that the friends of this world are not God's friends? Every man desiring to be a friend of this world makes himself a hater of God.