James 4:8

James 4:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Make your hands clean, you evil-doers; put away deceit from your hearts, you false in mind.

Free Bible Version FBV

Come close to God and he will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your way of thinking, you people with divided loyalties.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Drawe neere to God, and he will drawe neere to you. Clense your handes, ye sinners, and purge your hearts, ye double minded.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you; cleanse hands, ye sinners! and purify hearts, ye two-souled!

World English Bible WEB

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

Come near spiritually to God, and as a result he will come near to you. You who are sinners, stop doing what is wrong, and do only what is good [SYN, MET]. You who cannot decide whether you will ◄commit yourselves to God/obey God completely►, stop thinking wrong thoughts, and think only pure thoughts [MTY].

Plain English Version PEV

But when you trust God, you go close to him, and when you do that, he will come close to you, and he will help you. So you have to stop doing bad things. Don’t even think about doing bad things. Don’t think that maybe you will go the right way, or maybe the wrong way. No, forget the wrong way, and just go the right way.

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Berean Amplified Bible — James 4:8

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Word Study

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James 4:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK εγγισατε τω θεω και εγγιει υμιν καθαρισατε χειρας αμαρτωλοι και αγνισατε καρδιας διψυχοι

εγγισατε engizō G1448 to come near Verb-AAM-2P

τω ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSM

θεω theos G2316 God Noun-DSM

και kai G2532 and Conj

εγγιει engizō G1448 to come near Verb-FAI-3S-ATT

υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP

καθαρισατε katharizō G2511 to clean Verb-AAM-2P

χειρας cheir G5495 hand Noun-APF

αμαρτωλοι hamartōlos G268 sinful Adj-VPM

και kai G2532 and Conj

αγνισατε hagnizō G48 to purify Verb-AAM-2P

καρδιας kardia G2588 heart Noun-APF

διψυχοι dipsuchos G1374 double-minded Adj-VPM

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Greek Word Reference — James 4:8

εγγισατε engizō G1448 "to come near" Verb-AAM-2P

To come near or approach, often used to describe someone drawing closer to God or a physical location. It appears in Matthew 26:46 and Luke 18:40, describing Jesus' approach to his disciples and a blind man.

Definition: ἐγγίζω (ἐγγύς). [in LXX for נגשׁ, קרב, etc. ;] __1. trans., to bring near: Gen.48:10, Isa.5:8. __2. Intrans., to come near: absol., Mat.26:46, Mrk.14:42, Luk.18:40 19:41 21:20, 28 24:15, Act.21:33 23:15; with adv., ὅπου, Luk.12:33; with dative, Luk.7:12 15:1, Luke.15.25 22:47, Act.9:3 10:9 22:6; τ. θεῷ, Heb.7:19, Jas.4:8; before εἰς, Mat.21:1, Mrk.11:1, Luk.18:35 19:29 24:28; πρός, with dative, Luk.19:37; μέχρι θανάτου, Php.2:30; of time, ὥρα, Mat.26:45; ἡμέρα, Rom.13:12, Heb.10:25; καιρός, Mat.21:34, Luk.21:8; χρόνος, Act.7:17; ἑορτή, Luk.22:1; παρουσία, Jas.5:8; τέλος, 1Pe.4:7; ἐρήμωσις, Luk.21:20; ἀπολύτρωσις, Luk.21:28; ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία (for similar expressions in Targ., see Dalman, 106), Mat.3:2 4:17 10:7 Mrk.1:15, Luk.10:9 (ἐφ ̓ ὑμᾶς) 10:11 (cf. προσ-εγγίζω), and see Cremer, 224).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 42 NT verses. KJV: approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh See also: 1 Peter 4:7; Luke 19:41; Hebrews 7:19.

τω ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

θεω theos G2316 "God" Noun-DSM

This word simply means God, referring to the one true deity. It is used throughout the New Testament, including in Matthew 27:46 and Acts 14:11, to describe the supreme being and creator of the universe.

Definition: θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. __1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. __2. Of the one true God; __(a) anarthrous: Mat.6:24, Luk.20:38, al.; esp. with prep. (Kühner 3, iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ., Jhn.3:2; ἐκ, Act.5:39, 2Co.5:1, Php.3:9; ὑπό, Rom.13:1; παρὰ θεοῦ, Jhn.1:6; παρὰ θεῷ, 2Th.1:6, 1Pe.2:4; κατὰ θεόν, Rom.8:27, 2Co.7:9, 10; also when in genitive dependent on an anarth. noun (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.27:43, Luk.3:2, Rom.1:17, 1Th.2:13; as pred., Lk 20:38, Jhn.1:1, and when the nature and character rather than the person of God is meant, Act.5:29, Gal.2:6, al. (M, Th., 14); __(b) more freq., with art.: Mat.1:23, Mrk.2:7, al. mult.; with prep., ἀπὸ τ. θ., Luk.1:26; ἐκ, Jhn.8:42, al.; παρὰ τοῦ θ., Jhn.8:40; π. τῷ θ., Rom.9:14; ἐν, Col.3:3; ἐπὶ τῷ θ., Luk.1:47; ἐπὶ τὸν θ., Act.15:19; εἰς τ. θ., Act.24:15; πρὸς τ. θ., Jhn.1:2; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:26, 27, Luk.20:37, Jhn.20:17, al.; ὁ θ. μου, Rom.1:8, Php 1:3, al.; ὁ θ. καὶ πατήρ κ. τ. λ., Rom.15:6, Eph.1:3, Phi 4:20, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.15:5, 13, 33, 2Co.1:3, 1Th.5:23; τὰ τ. θεοῦ, Mat.16:23, Mrk.12:17, 1Co.2:11; τὰ πρὸς τὸν θ., Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; τ. θεῷ, as a superl. (LXX, Jos.3:3), Act.7:20, 2Co.10:4; Hebraistically, of judges (Psa.81(82):6), Jhn.10:34" (LXX), 35. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1170 NT verses. KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 John 4:2; 1 Peter 1:2.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

εγγιει engizō G1448 "to come near" Verb-FAI-3S-ATT

Usage: Occurs in 42 NT verses. KJV: approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh See also: 1 Peter 4:7; Luke 19:41; Hebrews 7:19.

υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

καθαρισατε katharizō G2511 "to clean" Verb-AAM-2P

To clean or cleanse something, like when Jesus healed a leper in Matthew 8:3. It can also mean to purify or make something clean morally.

Definition: καθαρίζω (Hellenistic-FlJ, Inscr.-for Attic καθαίρω, which see, on the vulgar -ερ-, Mat.8:3, Mrk.1:42, see Bl., § 6, 1; Thackeray, Gr., 74) [in LXX chiefly for טָהֵר ;] to cleanse, make clean. __1. In physical sense: with accusative of thing(s), figuratively, Mat.23:25-26, Luk.11:39; of disease (leprosy), with accusative of person(s), Mat.8:2-3 10:8 11:5, Mrk.1:40-42 Luk.4:27 5:12-13 7:22 17:14, 17; ἡ λέπρα ἐκαθερίσθη (on the spelling see supr.), Mat.8:3. __2. In ethical sense: τ. καρδίας, Act.15:9 (cf. Sir.38:10); τ. χεῖρας, Jas.4:8; λαὸν ἑαυτῷ, Tit.2:14; τ. ἐκκλησίαν, Eph.5:26; with accusative of person(s) (of thing(s)), before ἀπό (131., § 36, 9; Deiss., BS, 216 f.), 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14, 1Jn.1:7 Jn 1:9. __3. In ceremonial sense: Mrk.7:19, Act.10:15 11:9, Heb.9:22-23 10:2 (cf. δια-καθαρίζω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: (make) clean(-se), purge, purify See also: 1 John 1:7; Luke 7:22; Hebrews 9:14.

χειρας cheir G5495 "hand" Noun-APF

The word for hand in Greek can be literal or figurative, referring to power or instrument, as seen in Matthew 3:12 and 1 Corinthians 16:21. It is often used to describe a means of action or a symbol of authority, and is sometimes used in phrases that are similar to Hebrew constructions.

Definition: χείρ, genitive, χειρος (accusative, χεῖραν, 1Pe.5:6 T), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for יָד ;] the hand: Mat.3:12, Mrk.3:1, Luk.6:6, al. mult.; ἡ χ., acting subject, Luk.22:21; pl., Act.17:25 20:34, 1Jn.1:1; τ. ἔργα τῶν χ., Act.7:41, Rev.9:20; ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τ. ἐμῇ χ., 1Co.16:21, Col.4:18, 2Th.3:17; prepositional phrases, esp. those without art., similar to Heb. constructions (Bl., §32, 4; 40, 9; 46, 9), ἐν χ.; with genitive (Lft., in l.), Gal.3:19; σὺν χ. ἀγγέλου, Act.7:35; διὰ (τῶν) χειρῶν (διὰ χειρός), Mrk.6:2, Act.5:12 7:25, al.; ἐπὶ χειρῶν, Mat.4:6, Luk.4:11; ellipse of χ. (ἡ δεξία, ἀριστερα; Bl., §44, 1), Mat.6:3, al. By meton., for the power or activity of an individual, Mat.17:22, Mrk.9:31, Luk.9:31, Jhn.10:39, Act.12:11, al.; metaphorically, of the activity or power of God: Luk.1:66 23:46, Jhn.10:29, Act.11:21 13:11, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 168 NT verses. KJV: hand See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Luke 4:11; 1 Peter 5:6.

αμαρτωλοι hamartōlos G268 "sinful" Adj-VPM

A sinful person, or someone who does wrong, like the sinners Jesus ate with in Matthew 9:10-13. This word describes people who are wicked or sinful.

Definition: ἁμαρτωλός, -όν (ἁμαρτάνω), [in LXX chiefly for רָשָׁע ;] sinful, a sinner: of all men, 1Ti.1:15; of those especially wicked, 1Ti.1:9, 1Pe.4:18; p1., Mat.9:10-13 11:19 26:45, al. (see MM, VGT, see word; Cremer, 102, 634) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 46 NT verses. KJV: sinful, sinner See also: 1 Peter 4:18; Luke 13:2; Hebrews 7:26.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

αγνισατε hagnizō G48 "to purify" Verb-AAM-2P

To purify means to make something clean, either physically or morally, as seen in John 11:55 and James 4:8. It involves removing defilement and sanctifying something or someone. This concept is important in biblical teachings.

Definition: ἁγνίζω (> ἁγνός), [in LXX always ceremonially, chiefly for קָדַשׁ ;] to purify, cleanse from defilement; __(a) ceremonially: Jhn.11:55, Act.21:24, 26 24:18; __(b) morally: Jas.4:8, 1Pe.1:22, 1Jn.3:3. † SYN.: καθαρίζω, which see (and see: ἁγνός). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: purify (self) See also: 1 John 3:3; Acts 21:26; 1 Peter 1:22.

καρδιας kardia G2588 "heart" Noun-APF

The Greek word for heart refers to the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions, like in 2 Kings 18:14. It's where our moral and spiritual condition lies. The KJV translates it as heart or broken-hearted.

Definition: καρδία, -ας, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for לֵבָב ,לֵב ;] the heart, __1. the bodily organ which is regarded as the seat of life ( 2Ki.18:14, 4Ki.9:24, al.). __2. In a psychological sense, the seat of man's collective energies, the focus of personal life, the seat of the rational as well as the emotional and volitional elements in human life, hence that wherein lies the moral and religious condition of the man (DB, ii, 317f.; DGG, ii, 344a); __(a) of the seat of physical life ( Jdg.19:5, Psa.101 (102):5 103 (104):15): Act.14:17, Jas.5:5; __(b) of the seat of spiritual life: Mat.5:8, Mrk.7:19, Luk.1:51, Act.5:3, Rom.10:9, 10 Eph.6:5, al.; pl., Mat.9:4, Mrk.2:6, al.; opposite to στόμα, χείλεα, πρόσωπον, Mat.15:8, Mrk.7:6, Rom.10:8, 9 2Co.5:12; περιτομὴ καρδίας, Rom.2:29; ἐκ κ., Rom.6:17, 1Pe.1:22; ἀπὸ τῶν κ., Mat.18:35; ἐν ὅλῃ (ἐξ ὅλης), Mat.22:37, Mrk.12:30" (LXX) ; γινώσκειν (ἐρευνᾶν, δοκιμάζειν) τὰς κ., Luk.16:15, Rom.8:27, 1Th.2:4; to think, etc., ἐν τ. κ., Mat.9:4, Mrk.2:6, Luk.12:45, Rom.10:6; συνιέναι (νοεῖν) τῇ κ., Mat.13:15, Jhn.12:40; ἐπαχύνθη ἡ κ., Mat.13:15 (LXX); πωροῦν τὴν κ., Jhn.12:40; κ. εὐθεῖα, Act.8:21; πονηρά, Heb.3:12; ἀμετανόητος, Rom.2:5; εἶναι (ἔχειν) ἐν τῇ κ., 2Co.7:3, Php.1:7; ὀδύνη τῇ κ., Rom.9:2. __3. Of the central or innermost part of anything (of the pith of wood, Arist.): τ. γῆς, Mat.12:40 (Cremer, 343ff.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 151 NT verses. KJV: (+ broken-)heart(-ed) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; James 5:8; 1 Peter 1:22.

διψυχοι dipsuchos G1374 "double-minded" Adj-VPM

Being double-minded means being uncertain or wavering in your thoughts or actions. James 1:8 and 4:8 warn against this kind of instability.

Definition: δίψυχος, -ον (δίς, ψυχή), of two minds, wavering: Jas.1:8 4:8 (Cremer, 588; DB, iv, 528).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: double minded See also: James 1:8; James 4:8.

Study Notes — James 4:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
James 4:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on James 4:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 4:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 4:8
Trapp's Commentary on James 4:8
Ellicott's Commentary on James 4:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 4:8
Cambridge Bible on James 4:8
Barnes' Notes on James 4:8
Whedon's Commentary on James 4:8
Sermons on James 4:8

Context — Drawing Near to God

6But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

9Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 145:18	The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.
2	Hebrews 10:22	let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
3	Malachi 3:7	Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’
4	Zechariah 1:3	So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’
5	Isaiah 55:6–7	Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
6	2 Chronicles 15:2	So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
7	Jeremiah 4:14	Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?
8	Hosea 6:1–2	Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
9	1 John 3:3	And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
10	Ezekiel 36:25–27	I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

James 4:8 Summary

[James 4:8 tells us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. This means that if we seek a closer relationship with God, He will meet us halfway and be near to us. As seen in Psalm 145:18, God is near to all who call upon Him in truth. We can draw near to God by repenting of our sins, seeking forgiveness, and turning away from worldly desires, as seen in 1 John 1:9.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'draw near to God' in James 4:8?

To draw near to God means to seek a closer relationship with Him, to humble ourselves and submit to His will, as seen in James 4:6-7, where it says God gives more grace to the humble and that we should submit to God and resist the devil.

Who are the 'double-minded' mentioned in this verse?

The 'double-minded' are those who are torn between following God and following their own desires or the ways of the world, as seen in Matthew 6:24, where it says we cannot serve both God and money.

How can we 'cleanse our hands' and 'purify our hearts' as instructed in this verse?

We can cleanse our hands and purify our hearts by repenting of our sins, seeking forgiveness, and turning away from worldly desires, as seen in 1 John 1:9, where it says if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.

What is the promise of God in response to our drawing near to Him?

The promise of God is that He will draw near to us, as stated in James 4:8, and this is also seen in Psalm 73:28, where it says God is near to those who call upon Him in truth.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can practically 'draw near to God' in my daily life?
What are some areas in my life where I may be 'double-minded', and how can I seek to purify my heart in those areas?
What are some sins or worldly desires that I need to repent of and turn away from in order to 'cleanse my hands'?
How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and submission to God, as seen in James 4:6-7?
What are some ways I can seek to experience God's presence and nearness in my life, as promised in James 4:8?

Gill's Exposition on James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you,.... This must be understood consistently with the perfection of God's immensity and omnipresence: the saints draw nigh to God when they present their

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 4:8

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 4:8

Draw nigh to God; by faith, which is a coming to God, ; by true repentance, which is a returning to God, ; and by fervent prayer to him for the help of his grace, . And he will draw nigh to you; by the manifestation of his grace and favour to you, particularly giving you strength against the devil and your lusts. Cleanse your hands; reform your actions, amend your lives. Hands, the principal instruments of bodily actions, being put for the actions themselves; cleanness of hands signifies the innocency of the outward conversation, 26:6 ,16. Ye sinners; you that are openly and notoriously vicious, whose wickedness appears in your ordinary practices: so such are called, 15:2 . And purify your hearts; your thoughts and inward affections, from whence the evils of your outward actions proceed, : see . Ye double minded; either by the former he understands the profane, and by these, hypocrites, or the same by both, viz. such as had wicked hearts, and led wicked lives; only he shows wherein true repentance consists, viz. in the reformation both of the inward and outward man.

Trapp's Commentary on 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. Ver. 8. Draw nigh to God] viz. In duty, and he will draw nigh to you in mercy. Sanctify him, Leviticus 10:3, and he will satisfy you, Psalms 91:16. The very Turks are remorseless to those that bear up, but they receive humiliation with much sweetness. Cleanse your hands] For there is no coming near God, Joshua 24:19. The very heathens knew this; and had therefore their coena pura before their solemn sacrifices; and the sacrificers were appointed to purify themselves some days before. (Godw. Antiq. Demosth.) We wash our hands every day; but, when to dine with some great man, we scour them with balls. God will be sanctified in all them that draw nigh to him, Leviticus 10:3, he will be served like himself, he will be no loser by us. Ye double minded] Ye that have your hearts divided between two, and as it were cloven asunder. Out with the corruption that cleaveth to your hearts; and then there will be a constancy and an evenness in your mouths and manners.

Ellicott's Commentary on James 4:8

(8) Draw nigh to God . . .—God waiteth to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18). Like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15), He beholds us while we are “yet a great way off,” and runs, as it were, to hasten our return. He has “no pleasure in the death of him that dieth” (Ezekiel 18:32). But who shall come “into the tabernacle of God, or rest upon His holy hill” (Psalms 15:1), except the man “of uncorrupt life”? Surely, the penitent as well; the murderous hands “which all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten,” the hearts polluted with the most abominable lusts, may and must be cleansed; sinners and double-minded (refer to James 1:8) though they be, and both in one, the Lord of mercy will “draw nigh” to them, if they to Him: all their “transgressions shall not be mentioned,” they “shall live and not die” (Ezekiel 18:21-22).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 4:8

Verse 8. Draw nigh to God] Approach HIM, in the name of Jesus, by faith and prayer, and he will draw nigh to you-he will meet you at your coming. When a soul sets out to seek God, God sets out to meet that soul; so that while we are drawing near to him, he is drawing near to us. The delicacy and beauty of these expressions are, I think, but seldom noted. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners] This I think to be the beginning of a new address, and to different persons; and should have formed the commencement of a new verse. Let your whole conduct be changed; cease to do evil learn to do well. Washing or cleansing the hands was a token of innocence and purity. Purify your hearts] Separate yourselves from the world, and consecrate yourselves to God: this is the true notion of sanctification. We have often seen that to sanctify signifies to separate a thing or person from profane or common use, and consecrate it or him to God. This is the true notion of קדש kadash, in Hebrew, and αγιαζω in Greek. The person or thing thus consecrated or separated is considered to be holy, and to be God's property; and then God hallows it to himself. There are, therefore, two things implied in a man's sanctification: 1. That he separates himself from evil ways and evil companions, and devotes himself to God. 2. That God separates guilt from his conscience, and sin from his soul, and thus makes him internally and externally holy. This double sanctification is well expressed in Sohar, Levit. fol. 33, col. 132, on the words, be ye holy, for I the Lord am holy: אותו מלמעלה ארס מקדש עצמו מלמטה מקישין, a man sanctifies himself on the earth, and then he is sanctified from heaven. As a man is a sinner, he must have his hands cleansed from wicked works; as he is double-minded, he must have his heart sanctified. Sanctification belongs to the heart, because of pollution of mind; cleansing belongs to the hands, because of sinful acts. See Clarke on James 1:8, for the signification of double-minded.

Cambridge Bible on James 4:8

8–10. The Call to Repentance8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you] The “nearness to God,” to which the promise is attached, is primarily that which is involved in all true and earnest prayer, but it should not be forgotten that it includes also the approximation of character and life. We are to walk with God as Enoch walked (Genesis 5:24). The former sense is prominent in the LXX. use of the verb employed by St James, as in Hosea 12:6, where in the English we have “wait on thy God continually,” and Psalms 119:169. An illustration of its meaning in the second clause is found in Job 19:21, where it answers to the English “have pity on me.”Cleanse your hands, ye sinners …] The words contrast, with an implied reference to our Lord’s teaching in Matthew 15:1-9, the true cleanness of hands, which consists in abstinence from the evil that defiles (Psalms 24:4; 1 Timothy 2:8), with the merely ceremonial cleanness on which the Pharisees laid stress. Comp. Ch. James 1:27.purify your hearts …] The verb implies the same kind of purity as the adjective used in Ch. James 3:17, primarily, that is, chastity of heart and life. It has here a special emphasis as contrasted with the “adulteresses” in James 4:4, and with the special aspect of the “double-mindedness” which that word implied. See note on Ch. James 1:8.

Barnes' Notes on James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you - Compare 2 Chronicles 15:2. This declaration contains a great and important principle in religion.

Whedon's Commentary on James 4:8

8. Draw nigh—The reverse of resist. The former should be done to God, the latter to the devil—the two sides of the great battle for possession of the human soul.

Sermons on James 4:8

	Sermon	Description
	A Craving for the Presence - Part 1 by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving the presence of the Lord amidst challenging times, highlighting the need to prioritize seeking God's presence over solely relying o
	A Man of God by Leonard Ravenhill	This sermon reflects on a 70-year journey of faith, witnessing various church tragedies and worldly events, yet remaining steadfast by looking up to Jesus, reading the Word, and fo
	"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality.
	A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and
	A Touch From God (Full) by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and being willing to fully surrender to Him, leaving behind defilement and busyness. It highlights the need for a de
	A Craving for the Presence - Part 2 by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving and seeking the presence of the Lord in our lives, rather than just relying on legal contracts or promises. It highlights the need
	Christ Lord and Master by Oswald J. Smith	In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the blessings and grace that God has bestowed upon the church and its members. They also mention the success of their

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