James 4:8 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Draw nigh to God - so "cleave unto Him" (Deuteronomy 30:20): namely, by prayerfully (James 4:2-3) 'resisting Satan,' who opposes our access to God.

He will draw nigh - propitious. Cleanse your hands - the outward instruments of action. None but the clean-handed can ascend into the hill of the Lord (justified through Christ, who alone, being perfectly so, 'ascended' there) (Psalms 24:3-4).

Purify your hearts, х hagnisate (G48)] - make chaste of spiritual adultery (James 4:4; James 1:1-27:e., worldliness) your hearts, the inward source of all impurity.

Double-minded - divided between God and the world: at fault in heart; the sinner in his hands likewise.

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.