But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
But - Nay rather.
He - God. Giveth more grace - ever increasing, the further ye depart from "envy" (Bengel).
He saith. The same God who causes His Spirit to dwell in believers (James 4:5) also speaks in Scripture. The quotation is probably from Proverbs 3:34; as Proverbs 21:10 was generally referred to in James 4:5. In Hebrew it is 'scorneth the scorners'-namely, those who think 'Scripture speaketh in vain.'
Resisteth, х antitassetai (G498)] - 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" (James 4:5): it is peculiarly satanic, for by it Satan fell.
The proud, х hupereefanois (G5244)] - one who shows himself above his fellows, and so lifts himself against God.
The humble - the unenvious, uncovetous, unambitious as to the world. Contrast James 4:4.