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Commentaries on James 4:17

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John Gill - Exposition

John Gill

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,...

John Gill - Exposition

John Gill

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,.... This may regard not only the last particular of referring all things to the will of God, the sovereign disposer of life, and all events, which some might have the knowledge of in theory, though they did not practise according to it; but all the good things the apostle had exhorted to, and the contrary to which he had warned from, in this epistle; and...

Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary

Matthew Henry

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, ver. 1-5. II. We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to God, ver. 4-10. III. All detraction and rash judgment of others are to be carefully avoided, ver. 11, 12. IV. We must preserve a...

Spurgeon - Verse Expositions

Charles H. Spurgeon

From whence come wars and fightings among you? Whether between nations, or parties or individuals,-if there be wars and fightings, whence do they come? Jas_4:1. Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Do they not arise from one desiring something, and another desiring the same thing? Is there not a competition or emulation of an evil kind, in which each one prefers...