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Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. <a href="/nlt/james/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. <a href="/esv/james/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. <a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility with God? Therefore whoever has chosen to be a friend of the world is appointed an enemy of God. <a href="/kjv/james/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. <a href="/nkjv/james/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/nasb_/james/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/nasb/james/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/nasb77/james/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/lsb/james/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world sets himself as an enemy of God. <a href="/amp/james/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/csb/james/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. <a href="/hcsb/james/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Adulteresses! Don&#8217t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world&#8217s friend becomes God&#8217s enemy. <a href="/asv/james/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. <a href="/cev/james/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You people aren't faithful to God! Don't you know if you love the world, you are God's enemies? And if you decide to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. <a href="/erv/james/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. <a href="/gwt/james/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You unfaithful people! Don't you know that love for this [evil] world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. <a href="/gnt/james/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Unfaithful people! Don't you know that to be the world's friend means to be God's enemy? If you want to be the world's friend, you make yourself God's enemy. <a href="/isv/james/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> You adulterers! Don't you know that friendship with the world means hostility with God? So whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. <a href="/msb/james/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> You adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. <a href="/net/james/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world's friend makes himself God's enemy. <a href="/nheb/james/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/wbt/james/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. <a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> You unfaithful women, do you not know that friendship with the world means enmity to God? Therefore whoever is bent on being friendly with the world makes himself an enemy to God. <a href="/web/james/4.htm">World English Bible</a> You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Adulterers and adulteresses! Have you not known that friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever, then, may intend to be a friend of the world, he is designated [as] an enemy of God. <a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility with God? Therefore whoever has chosen to be a friend of the world is appointed an enemy of God. <a href="/ylt/james/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Adulterers and adulteresses! have ye not known that friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever, then, may counsel to be a friend of the world, an enemy of God he is set. <a href="/slt/james/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is the enmity of God? whoever therefore would wish to be the friend of the world is set the enemy of God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world, becometh an enemy of God. <a href="/cpdv/james/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You adulterers! Do you not know that the friendship of this world is hostile to God? Therefore, whoever has chosen to be a friend of this world has been made into an enemy of God. <a href="/nabre/james/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Adulterers! Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/nrsvce/james/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> O you adulterers! Do you not know that the love for worldly things is enmity with God? Whosoever, therefore, esteems worldly things is the enemy of God. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Adulterers! Do you not know that the love of this world is hatred toward God? Therefore whoever chooses to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friend ship of the world is enmity to God? Whoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world, is an enemy of God. <a href="/godbey/james/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> O adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity to God? Whosoever therefore may wish to be the friend of the world renders himself the enemy of God. <a href="/haweis/james/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Ye adulterers and adultresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity against God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is set down an enemy to God. <a href="/mace/james/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Degenerate race, don't you know that friendship with vice is hostility against heaven, he that is a friend to the vicious world, is an enemy to God. <a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> You unfaithful women, do you not know that friendship with the world means enmity to God? Therefore whoever is bent on being friendly with the world makes himself an enemy to God. <a href="/worrell/james/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Adulteresses! know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever, therefore, purposes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <a href="/worsley/james/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity to God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. <a href="/parallel/james/4-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=669" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Warning against Pride</a> …3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4<a href="/greek/3428.htm" title="3428: Moichalides (N-VFP) -- A prolonged form of the feminine of moichos; an adulteress.">You adulteresses!</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidate (V-RIA-2P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">Do you not know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5373.htm" title="5373: philia (N-NFS) -- Friendship, affection, fondness, love. From philos; fondness.">friendship</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">with the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/2189.htm" title="2189: echthra (N-NFS) -- Enmity, hostility, alienation. Feminine of echthros; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition.">hostility</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">toward</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God?</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Therefore,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whoever</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1014.htm" title="1014: boulēthē (V-ASP-3S) -- To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to will, i.e. be willing.">chooses</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">to be</a> <a href="/greek/5384.htm" title="5384: philos (Adj-NMS) -- Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.">a friend</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world</a> <a href="/greek/2525.htm" title="2525: kathistatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- From kata and histemi; to place down, i.e. to designate, constitute, convoy.">renders himself</a> <a href="/greek/2190.htm" title="2190: echthros (Adj-NMS) -- Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary.">an enemy</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God.</a> 5Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a> Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a> because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. <a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18-19</a> If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-21.htm">1 Corinthians 10:21</a> You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Galatians 1:10</a> Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-17</a> Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ... <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a> Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Ephesians 2:2</a> in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. <a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">1 John 3:13</a> So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. <a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14-16</a> I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. / I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. / They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. <a href="/1_john/4-4.htm">1 John 4:4-5</a> You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. / They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them. <a href="/colossians/3-2.htm">Colossians 3:2</a> Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. <a href="/proverbs/3-31.htm">Proverbs 3:31-32</a> Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; / for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.adulterers.<a href="/psalms/50-18.htm">Psalm 50:18</a> When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.<a href="/psalms/73-27.htm">Psalm 73:27</a> For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.<a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3</a> But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.the friendship.<a href="/john/7-7.htm">John 7:7</a> The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.<a href="/john/15-19.htm">John 15:19,23</a> If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you… <a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14</a> I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.enmity.<a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a> And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.<a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a> Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.whosoever.<a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Galatians 1:10</a> For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.is the.<a href="/psalms/21-8.htm">Psalm 21:8</a> Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.<a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Luke 19:27</a> But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.<a href="/john/15-23.htm">John 15:23,24</a> He that hateth me hateth my Father also… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Adulterers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Adulteresses</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Adulterous</a> <a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/james/3-4.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/james/1-18.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/james/4-3.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-16.htm">Enmity</a> <a href="/james/2-23.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Friendly</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-9.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-24.htm">Friendship</a> <a href="/james/3-9.htm">God's</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-9.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/galatians/5-20.htm">Hatred</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-3.htm">Hostility</a> <a href="/james/3-5.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-28.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Means</a> <a href="/james/1-8.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">Unfaithful</a> <a href="/james/3-4.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/james/1-1.htm">Wishes</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">Women</a> <a href="/james/3-6.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/50-18.htm">Adulterers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Adulteresses</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Adulterous</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/numbers/16-5.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-12.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-19.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Enmity</a> <a href="/1_john/2-1.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/genesis/31-2.htm">Friendly</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-6.htm">Friendship</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">God's</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-10.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/genesis/26-21.htm">Hatred</a> <a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Hostility</a> <a href="/james/4-11.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/revelation/13-12.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-25.htm">Means</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Unfaithful</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">Wishes</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">Women</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">James 4</div>1. <a href="/james/4-1.htm">We are to strive against covetousness;</a> 4. <a href="/james/4-4.htm">intemperance;</a> 5. <a href="/james/4-5.htm">pride;</a> 11. <a href="/james/4-11.htm">detraction and rash judgment of others;</a> 13. <a href="/james/4-13.htm">and not to be boastful of our future plans.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>You adulteresses! This phrase uses the metaphor of adultery to describe unfaithfulness to God. In the Old Testament, Israel is often depicted as God's bride, and idolatry or turning away from God is likened to adultery (e.g., <a href="/hosea/3.htm">Hosea 3:1</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Jeremiah 3:20</a>). This strong language underscores the seriousness of spiritual infidelity. The term "adulteresses" implies a breach of covenant, highlighting the expectation of exclusive devotion to God.Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? "Friendship with the world" refers to adopting values and behaviors contrary to God's will. In biblical terms, "the world" often signifies a system opposed to God (1 <a href="/john/2-15.htm">John 2:15-17</a>). This phrase suggests that aligning with worldly values creates enmity with God, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a>, where the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God. The cultural context of James' audience involved pressures to conform to societal norms, which often conflicted with Christian teachings.Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world The act of choosing indicates a deliberate decision. This choice reflects a heart posture and allegiance. In the biblical narrative, choices often determine one's relationship with God, as seen in <a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15</a>, where the Israelites are urged to choose whom they will serve. The concept of choice emphasizes personal responsibility and the consequences of aligning with worldly principles.renders himself an enemy of God. Becoming an enemy of God is a grave consequence, highlighting the incompatibility between God's holiness and worldly values. This echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a>, where one cannot serve two masters. The language of enmity recalls the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to resist worldly influences and remain faithful to God (<a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>). The stark dichotomy presented here serves as a warning and a call to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_recipients.htm">The Recipients</a> Early Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, facing trials and temptations, and needing guidance on living out their faith authentically. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> Represents the system of values, beliefs, and behaviors that are opposed to God and His ways. It is characterized by materialism, pride, and self-centeredness. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The Creator and Sustainer of all, who desires a relationship with His people and calls them to holiness and separation from worldly influences. 5. <a href="/topical/a/adulteresses.htm">Adulteresses</a> A metaphorical term used by James to describe those who are unfaithful to God by aligning themselves with worldly values, echoing the Old Testament imagery of Israel's unfaithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_fidelity.htm">Spiritual Fidelity</a> Just as in a marriage, faithfulness to God requires exclusive devotion. Aligning with worldly values is akin to spiritual adultery. <a href="/topical/w/worldly_friendship.htm">Worldly Friendship</a> Friendship with the world is not merely about association but about adopting its values and priorities, which are contrary to God's. <a href="/topical/h/hostility_toward_god.htm">Hostility Toward God</a> Choosing the world over God places one in opposition to Him. This is a serious matter that requires repentance and realignment with God's will. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_holiness.htm">Call to Holiness</a> Believers are called to live distinctively, reflecting God's holiness in their choices and relationships. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> Understanding that the world's allure is temporary helps believers focus on eternal values and God's kingdom.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses.--The phrase may seem to flow naturally after the former ones, but the Received text, from which our version was made, is wrong. It should be, ye adulteresses! as accusing those who have broken their marriage vow to God. The sense is familiar to us from many passages in the Old Testament, in which God speaks of Israel in a similar manner, e.g., <a href="/psalms/73-27.htm" title="For, see, they that are far from you shall perish: you have destroyed all them that go a whoring from you.">Psalm 73:27</a>; <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm" title="For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.">Isaiah 54:5</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm" title="Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said the LORD; I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.">Jeremiah 2:2</a>; Ezekiel 16 passim; <a href="/context/ezekiel/23-37.htm" title="That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.">Ezekiel 23:37-43</a>; <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm" title="Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her prostitutions out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;">Hosea 2:2</a>. Again in the New Testament: <a href="/matthew/12-39.htm" title="But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:">Matthew 12:39</a>; <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm" title="A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.">Matthew 16:4</a>; <a href="/mark/8-38.htm" title="Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.">Mark 8:38</a>; <a href="/context/revelation/2-20.htm" title="Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.">Revelation 2:20-22</a>; <a href="/revelation/17-1.htm" title="And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying to me, Come here; I will show to you the judgment of the great whore that sits on many waters:">Revelation 17:1</a>; <a href="/revelation/17-5.htm" title="And on her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.">Revelation 17:5</a>; <a href="/revelation/17-15.htm" title="And he said to me, The waters which you saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.">Revelation 17:15</a>, &c.; St. Paul's description of the church (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm" title="For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.">2Corinthians 11:2</a>), espoused "as a chaste virgin to Christ;" and comp. <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm" title="Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:">2Peter 2:14</a>, specially the margin. "God is the Lord and husband of every soul that is His;" and in her revolt from Him, and love for sin, her acts are those of an adulterous woman. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Ye adulterers and adulteresses. Omit μοιχοὶ καί, with א, A, B. The Vulgate has simply adulteri; the Old Latin (ff), fornicatores. Similarly the Syriae. Very strange is this sudden exclamation, "ye adulteresses!" and very difficult to explain. The same word (μοιχαλίς) is used as a feminine adjective by our Lord in the expression, "an evil and adulterous generation" (<a href="/matthew/12-39.htm">Matthew 12:39</a>; <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Matthew 16:4</a>; <a href="/mark/8-38.htm">Mark 8:38</a>); and in this possibly lies the explanation of St. James's use of the term. More probably, however, it should be accounted for as a reminiscence of <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Ezekiel 23:45</a>, where we read of Samaria and Jerusalem under the titles of Aholah and Aholibah: "The righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands." It is remarkable too that in <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a> the LXX. has μοιχαλίδες, although the Hebrew has the masculine, and men are evidently referred to. If, then, in the Old Testament the Jewish communities were personified as adulteresses, it is not unnatural for St. James to transfer the epithet to those Judaeo-Christian communities to which he was writing; and the word should probably be taken, just as in the Old Testament, of spiritual fornication, i.e. apostasy from God, shown in this case, not by actual idolatry, but by that "friendship of the world" which is "enmity with God," and by "covetousness which is idolatry." Φιλία. The word occurs here only in the New Testament. With the thought of this verse, compare our Lord's words in <a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18, 19</a>. <a href="/commentaries/james/4-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[You] adulteresses! Μοιχαλίδες (Moichalides) Noun - Vocative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3428.htm">Strong's 3428: </a> A prolonged form of the feminine of moichos; an adulteress. Do you not know οἴδατε (oidate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. friendship φιλία (philia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5373.htm">Strong's 5373: </a> Friendship, affection, fondness, love. From philos; fondness. with the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. hostility ἔχθρα (echthra) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2189.htm">Strong's 2189: </a> Enmity, hostility, alienation. Feminine of echthros; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition. [toward] τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. God? Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Therefore, οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. whoever ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. chooses βουληθῇ (boulēthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1014.htm">Strong's 1014: </a> To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing. to be εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a friend φίλος (philos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5384.htm">Strong's 5384: </a> Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). renders himself καθίσταται (kathistatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2525.htm">Strong's 2525: </a> From kata and histemi; to place down, i.e. to designate, constitute, convoy. an enemy ἐχθρὸς (echthros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2190.htm">Strong's 2190: </a> Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary. of God. Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/4-4.htm">NT Letters: James 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses don't you know (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/4-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 4:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 4:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 4:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 4:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>