James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
But He gives us more grace
The phrase "But He gives us more grace" introduces a profound theological truth about God's character and His relationship with humanity. The Greek word for "grace" is "charis," which signifies unmerited favor and divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. In the context of James, this grace is not static but dynamic, continually offered to believers to empower them to overcome worldly desires and live in accordance with God's will. Historically, this concept of grace has been central to Christian doctrine, emphasizing that despite human failings, God's grace is abundant and sufficient to meet every need.

This is why it says
The phrase "This is why it says" indicates that James is about to reference a scriptural principle or teaching. This method of introducing a quotation is common in Jewish rabbinical teaching, where the authority of Scripture is invoked to support a point. It reflects the deep respect for the Hebrew Scriptures that the early Christian community held, seeing them as foundational to understanding God's will and character.

“God opposes the proud
The phrase "God opposes the proud" is a direct reference to Proverbs 3:34. The Greek word for "opposes" is "antitassomai," which means to range in battle against or to resist. This imagery suggests a strong, active stance against pride, which is considered a fundamental sin in biblical teaching. Pride, or "hubris," is seen as a self-reliance that rejects God's authority and grace. Historically, pride has been viewed as the root of many other sins, leading individuals away from God and into self-destructive behaviors.

but gives grace to the humble.”
The phrase "but gives grace to the humble" completes the contrast between the proud and the humble. The Greek word for "humble" is "tapeinos," which denotes lowliness of mind and a recognition of one's dependence on God. In the biblical context, humility is not about self-deprecation but about acknowledging one's need for God and His grace. This humility opens the door to receiving God's grace, which empowers believers to live righteously. The historical and scriptural context underscores that humility is a virtue highly esteemed by God, as it aligns with the character of Christ, who exemplified ultimate humility in His incarnation and sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. James
The author of the epistle, traditionally understood to be James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. His letter addresses practical Christian living and spiritual maturity.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, who is described as the giver of grace and the one who opposes pride.

3. The Proud
Those who are self-reliant and self-exalting, whom God opposes according to this scripture.

4. The Humble
Individuals who recognize their need for God and submit to His will, to whom God gives grace.

5. The Early Church
The context in which James wrote, dealing with issues of division, worldliness, and the need for humility among believers.
Teaching Points
Understanding Grace
God's grace is abundant and available, but it requires a posture of humility to receive it. Recognize that grace is not earned but given to those who acknowledge their need for God.

The Danger of Pride
Pride sets us against God. It is essential to identify areas of pride in our lives and seek God's help to cultivate humility.

The Call to Humility
Humility is not weakness but strength under control. It involves submitting to God's will and serving others selflessly.

Living in Community
Humility fosters unity and peace within the church. Encourage one another to live humbly and serve each other in love.

Reflecting Christ
Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Strive to emulate His attitude and actions in daily life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the nature of God's grace impact your daily walk with Him?

2. In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride, and how can you actively work to cultivate humility?

3. How does the principle of God opposing the proud but giving grace to the humble influence your relationships within the church community?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a situation where you chose humility over pride. What was the outcome?

5. How can the example of Christ's humility in Philippians 2:3-8 inspire you to live differently in your interactions with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 3:34
This verse is directly quoted in James 4:6, emphasizing God's opposition to the proud and His favor towards the humble.

1 Peter 5:5
Peter echoes the same principle, urging believers to clothe themselves with humility toward one another.

Matthew 23:12
Jesus teaches that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted, aligning with the message in James.

Philippians 2:3-8
Paul describes the humility of Christ as a model for believers, highlighting the importance of humility in the Christian life.
Continual GraceSamuel Rutherford.James 4:6
Divine GraceT. Brooks.James 4:6
God's Abhorrence and Defiance of the ProudT. Manton.James 4:6
How God Resisteth the ProudR. Turnbull.James 4:6
HumiliationJames 4:6
HumilityJames 4:6
Humility a Means of ContentmentG. J. Zollikofer.James 4:6
More and MoreC. H. Spurgeon.James 4:6
More Grace WantedJames 4:6
Need of More GraceWilliam Jay.James 4:6
The Abundance of GraceAbp. Trench.James 4:6
The Cure of Pride; Or, the Lesson of HumilityR. Newton, D. D.James 4:6
The Gift of GraceC. A. Jeary.James 4:6
The Greatness of the Divine Gifts a Source of Christian EncouragementA. Raleigh, D. D.James 4:6
The Humble are the Fittest Recipients of GraceT. Manton.James 4:6
War or Peace?T.F. Lockyer James 4:1-10
Worldliness Enmity with GodC. Jerdan James 4:4-6
People
James
Places
Dispersion
Topics
Abundant, Gives, Giveth, Grace, Greater, Haughty, Humble, Implied, Low, Lowly, Ones, Opposed, Opposes, Pride, Proud, Resisteth, Resists, Saying, Says, Scripture, Sets, Themselves, Wherefore, Writings
Dictionary of Bible Themes
James 4:6

     1055   God, grace and mercy
     5450   poverty, spiritual
     5764   attitudes, negative to God
     6671   grace, and Christian life
     6690   mercy, response to God's
     8244   ethics, and grace
     8276   humility
     8305   meekness
     8349   spiritual growth, means of
     8770   idolatry, in NT
     8786   opposition, to sin and evil
     8803   pride, evil of

James 4:4-6

     6670   grace, and Holy Spirit

James 4:5-6

     1610   Scripture

James 4:6-7

     6155   fall, of Adam and Eve

Library
December 29 Evening
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.--JAMES 4:8. Enoch walked with God.--Can two walk together, except they be agreed?--It is good for me to draw near to God. The Lord is with you, while ye be with him: and if ye seek him, he will be found of you: but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. When they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 26. "The Spirit that Dwelleth in us Lusteth to Envy" (James iv. 5).
"The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy" (James iv. 5). This beautiful passage has been unhappily translated in our Revised Version: "The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy." It ought to be, "The Spirit that dwelleth in us loveth us to jealousy." It is the figure of a love that suffers because of its intense regard for the loved object. The Holy Ghost is so anxious to accomplish in us and for us the highest will of God, and to receive from us the truest love for Christ, our Divine
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 19. "God Giveth Grace unto the Humble" (James iv. 6).
"God giveth grace unto the humble" (James iv. 6). One of the marks of highest worth is deep lowliness. The shallow nature, conscious of its weakness and insufficiency, is always trying to advertise itself and make sure of its being appreciated. The strong nature, conscious of its strength, is willing to wait and let its work be made manifest in due time. Indeed, the truest natures are so free from all self-consciousness and self-consideration that their object is not to be appreciated, understood
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 4. "Resist the Devil and He Will Flee" (James iv. 7).
"Resist the devil and he will flee" (James iv. 7). Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. This is a promise, and God will keep it to us. If we resist the adversary, He will compel him to flee, and will give us the victory. We can, at all times, fearlessly stand up in defiance, in resistance to the enemy, and claim the protection of our heavenly King just as a citizen would claim the protection of the government against an outrage or injustice on the part of violent men. At the same time we
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Approbation of Goodness is not the Love of It.
ROMANS ii. 21--23.--"Thou therefore which, teachest another, teachest Thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? thou that makest thy boast of the law, through, breaking the law dishonorest thou God?" The apostle Paul is a very keen and cogent reasoner. Like a powerful logician who is confident that he has the truth upon his side,
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

God's Will About the Future
EDITOR'S NOTE: This Sermon was published the week of Spurgeon's death. The great preacher died in Mentone, France, January 31, 1892. This and the next few Sermons in the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit were printed with a black mourning band circling the margins. A footnote appeared from the original editors, commenting on the providential selection of this message for that particular week: * It is remarkable that the sermon selected for this week should be so peculiarly suitable for the present trying
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

The Lack of Prayer
"Ye have not, because ye ask not."--JAS. iv. 2. "And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor."--ISA. lix. 16. "There is none that calleth upon Thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee."--ISA. lxiv. 7. At our last Wellington Convention for the Deepening of the Spiritual Life, in April, the forenoon meetings were devoted to prayer and intercession. Great blessing was found, both in listening to what the Word teaches of their need and power, and in joining
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Addresses on Holiness,
IN EXETER HALL. FIRST ADDRESS. I think it must be self-evident to everyone present that it is the most important question that can possibly occupy the mind of man--how much like God we can be--how near to God we can come on earth preparatory to our being perfectly like Him, and living, as it were, in His very heart for ever and ever in Heaven. Anyone who has any measure of the Spirit of God, must perceive that this is the most important question on which we can concentrate our thoughts; and the
Catherine Booth—Godliness

But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications...
But though prayer is properly confined to vows and supplications, yet so strong is the affinity between petition and thanksgiving, that both may be conveniently comprehended under one name. For the forms which Paul enumerates (1 Tim. 2:1) fall under the first member of this division. By prayer and supplication we pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote his glory and display his name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage. By thanksgiving we duly
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

"What is Your Life?"
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."--JAS. iv. 14. AN OLD YEAR SERMON TO-MORROW, the first day of a new year, is a day of wishes. To-day, the last day of an old year, is a day of questions. Tomorrow is a time of anticipation; to-day a time of reflection. To-morrow our thoughts will go away out to the coming opportunities, and the larger vistas which the future is opening up to even
Henry Drummond—The Ideal Life

The Right to My Own Time
"Come now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.... For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that."--James 4:13-15 "Mrs. Ning and I are going out to see Grandma Woo, who has been sick. Wouldn't you like to come too?" I was sitting at my desk, with all the paraphernalia of Chinese study spread out before me. I looked at my desk, looked at the
Mabel Williamson—Have We No Rights?

Next Let not Man, Now that He Knoweth that by the Grace of God...
44. Next let not man, now that he knoweth that by the grace of God he is what he is, fall into another snare of pride, so as by lifting up himself for the very grace of God to despise the rest. By which fault that other Pharisee both gave thanks unto God for the goods which he had, and yet vaunted himself above the Publican confessing his sins. What therefore should a virgin do, what should she think, that she vaunt not herself above those, men or women, who have not this so great gift? For she ought
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Whether Strife is a Daughter of Anger?
Objection 1: It would seem that strife is not a daughter of anger. For it is written (James 4:1): "Whence are wars and contentions? Are they not . . . from your concupiscences, which war in your members?" But anger is not in the concupiscible faculty. Therefore strife is a daughter, not of anger, but of concupiscence. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Prov. 28:25): "He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels." Now strife is apparently the same as quarrel. Therefore it seems
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Quarreling is Opposed to the virtue of Friendship or Affability?
Objection 1: It seems that quarreling is not opposed to the virtue of friendship or affability. For quarreling seems to pertain to discord, just as contention does. But discord is opposed to charity, as stated above ([3236]Q[37], A[1]). Therefore quarreling is also. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Prov. 26:21): "An angry man stirreth up strife." Now anger is opposed to meekness. Therefore strife or quarreling is also. Objection 3: Further, it is written (James 4:1): "From whence are wars and
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Backbiting is a Graver Sin than Tale-Bearing?
Objection 1: It would seem that backbiting is a graver sin than tale-bearing. For sins of word consist in speaking evil. Now a backbiter speaks of his neighbor things that are evil simply, for such things lead to the loss or depreciation of his good name: whereas a tale-bearer is only intent on saying what is apparently evil, because to wit they are unpleasant to the hearer. Therefore backbiting is a graver sin than tale-bearing. Objection 2: Further, he that deprives. a man of his good name, deprives
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Every Sin Includes an Action?
Objection 1: It would seem that every sin includes an action. For as merit is compared with virtue, even so is sin compared with vice. Now there can be no merit without an action. Neither, therefore, can there be sin without action. Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Lib. Arb. iii, 18) [*Cf. De Vera Relig. xiv.]: So "true is it that every sin is voluntary, that, unless it be voluntary, it is no sin at all." Now nothing can be voluntary, save through an act of the will. Therefore every sin implies
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Reason Can be Overcome by a Passion, against Its Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that the reason cannot be overcome by a passion, against its knowledge. For the stronger is not overcome by the weaker. Now knowledge, on account of its certitude, is the strongest thing in us. Therefore it cannot be overcome by a passion, which is weak and soon passes away. Objection 2: Further, the will is not directed save to the good or the apparent good. Now when a passion draws the will to that which is really good, it does not influence the reason against its knowledge;
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Gift of Knowledge is Practical Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that the knowledge, which is numbered among the gifts, is practical knowledge. For Augustine says (De Trin. xii, 14) that "knowledge is concerned with the actions in which we make use of external things." But the knowledge which is concerned about actions is practical. Therefore the gift of knowledge is practical. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. i, 32): "Knowledge is nought if it hath not its use for piety . . . and piety is very useless if it lacks the discernment
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Omission is a Special Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that omission is not a special sin. For every sin is either original or actual. Now omission is not original sin, for it is not contracted through origin nor is it actual sin, for it may be altogether without act, as stated above ([2975]FS, Q[71], A[5]) when we were treating of sins in general. Therefore omission is not a special sin. Objection 2: Further, every sin is voluntary. Now omission sometimes is not voluntary but necessary, as when a woman is violated after taking
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Movement of Faith is Required for the Justification of the Ungodly?
Objection 1: It would seem that no movement of faith is required for the justification of the ungodly. For as a man is justified by faith, so also by other things, viz. by fear, of which it is written (Ecclus. 1:27): "The fear of the Lord driveth out sin, for he that is without fear cannot be justified"; and again by charity, according to Lk. 7:47: "Many sins are forgiven her because she hath loved much"; and again by humility, according to James 4:6: "God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Humility is the Greatest of the virtues?
Objection 1: It would seem that humility is the greatest of the virtues. For Chrysostom, expounding the story of the Pharisee and the publican (Lk. 18), says [*Eclog. hom. vii de Humil. Animi.] that "if humility is such a fleet runner even when hampered by sin that it overtakes the justice that is the companion of pride, whither will it not reach if you couple it with justice? It will stand among the angels by the judgment seat of God." Hence it is clear that humility is set above justice. Now justice
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Pride is the Most Grievous of Sins?
Objection 1: It would seem that pride is not the most grievous of sins. For the more difficult a sin is to avoid, the less grievous it would seem to be. Now pride is most difficult to avoid; for Augustine says in his Rule (Ep. ccxi), "Other sins find their vent in the accomplishment of evil deeds, whereas pride lies in wait for good deeds to destroy them." Therefore pride is not the most grievous of sins. Objection 2: Further, "The greater evil is opposed to the greater good," as the Philosopher
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it was Fitting that the Mother of God Should Go to the Temple to be Purified?
Objection 1: It would seem that it was unfitting for the Mother of God to go to the Temple to be purified. For purification presupposes uncleanness. But there was no uncleanness in the Blessed Virgin, as stated above (QQ[27],28). Therefore she should not have gone to the Temple to be purified. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Lev. 12:2-4): "If a woman, having received seed, shall bear a man-child, she shall be unclean seven days"; and consequently she is forbidden "to enter into the sanctuary
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Should have Been Baptized in the Jordan?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been baptized in the Jordan. For the reality should correspond to the figure. But baptism was prefigured in the crossing of the Red Sea, where the Egyptians were drowned, just as our sins are blotted out in baptism. Therefore it seems that Christ should rather have been baptized in the sea than in the river Jordan. Objection 2: Further, "Jordan" is interpreted a "going down." But by baptism a man goes up rather than down: wherefore it is written
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

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