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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/59_Jas_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 1:8 - Rejoicing in Trials" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/1-7.htm" title="James 1:7">◄</a> James 1:8 <a href="/james/1-9.htm" title="James 1:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/james/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/james/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/james/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/james/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br /><i>He is</i> a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/james/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A double minded man <i>is</i> unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/james/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>he is</i> a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/james/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>being</i> a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/james/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/james/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>being</i> a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/james/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>being</i> a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/james/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br /><i>being</i> a double-minded man, unstable <i>and</i> restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/james/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/james/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/james/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/james/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/james/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can't make up his mind about anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/james/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he undertakes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/james/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/james/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/james/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He is a double-minded person, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/james/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A man unsettled in his opinions is unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/james/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/james/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />a soul-split man [is] unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br /><i>He is</i> a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/james/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> a two-souled man is unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/james/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A man divided in opinion unsteady in all his ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/james/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/james/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For a man who is of two minds is inconstant in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/james/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/james/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Whoever wavers in his mind is troubled in all his ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/james/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/james/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />the double-minded man, the most unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/james/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />A double-minded man is unsteady in all his ways.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/james/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />a diffident man is inconstant in all his actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/james/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />a double-souled man, unstable in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/james/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />A double-minded man <i>is</i> inconstant in all his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/james/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=53" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Rejoicing in Trials</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1374.htm" title="1374: dipsychos (Adj-NMS) -- (lit: of two souls, of two selves), double-minded, wavering. From dis and psuche; two-spirited, i.e. Vacillating.">He is a double-minded</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: anēr (N-NMS) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">man,</a> <a href="/greek/182.htm" title="182: akatastatos (Adj-NMS) -- Unsettled, unstable (though these are hardly strong enough equivalents), almost anarchic. Inconstant.">unstable</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasais (Adj-DFP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodois (N-DFP) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">ways.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">9</span>The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a></span><br />Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-15.htm">Romans 7:15-25</a></span><br />I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. / And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. / In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-23.htm">Hebrews 10:23</a></span><br />Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-21.htm">1 Corinthians 10:21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-17.htm">Galatians 5:17</a></span><br />For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Ephesians 4:14</a></span><br />Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">2 Peter 2:14</a></span><br />Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-113.htm">Psalm 119:113</a></span><br />The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-10.htm">Jeremiah 3:10</a></span><br />Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">Hosea 10:2</a></span><br />Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-17.htm">2 Corinthians 1:17</a></span><br />When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” and also “No, no”?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></b></br> Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse <i>your</i> hands, <i>ye</i> sinners; and purify <i>your</i> hearts, <i>ye</i> double minded.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></b></br> And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD <i>be</i> God, follow him: but if Baal, <i>then</i> follow him. And the people answered him not a word.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-33.htm">2 Kings 17:33,41</a></b></br> They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Division</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">Double</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Doubleminded</a> <a href="/james/1-7.htm">Double-Minded</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-3.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/titus/3-10.htm">Opinions</a> <a href="/james/1-7.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/galatians/5-25.htm">Step</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Two-Souled</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">Uncertain</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-2.htm">Unsettled</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">Unstable</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-10.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/2-4.htm">Division</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Double</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Doubleminded</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Double-Minded</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/james/4-4.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-23.htm">Opinions</a> <a href="/james/1-12.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/genesis/2-23.htm">Step</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Two-Souled</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-16.htm">Uncertain</a> <a href="/james/3-8.htm">Unsettled</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">Unstable</a> <a href="/james/1-11.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">James 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/1-1.htm">James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/1-2.htm">exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">to ask patience of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/1-13.htm">and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/1-19.htm">but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/1-26.htm">Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/1.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/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He is a double-minded man</b><br>The term "double-minded" is derived from the Greek word "dipsuchos," which literally means "two-souled" or "two-spirited." This concept reflects a person who is divided in their loyalties or beliefs, often wavering between faith and doubt. In the biblical context, this can be seen as a lack of commitment to God, reminiscent of the Israelites' wavering faith in the wilderness (<a href="/exodus/32.htm">Exodus 32:1-6</a>). The double-minded man is contrasted with the call for wholehearted devotion found in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>, where believers are urged to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. This idea is further echoed in Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a>, where He states that no one can serve two masters.<p><b>unstable in all his ways</b><br>The instability mentioned here suggests a lack of firm foundation, akin to the foolish man who built his house on sand in <a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Matthew 7:26-27</a>. This instability is not limited to spiritual matters but affects all aspects of life, indicating that a divided heart leads to inconsistency and unreliability. The imagery of instability can also be connected to the waves of the sea, as described earlier in <a href="/james/1-6.htm">James 1:6</a>, symbolizing a person tossed about by doubts and external circumstances. This instability contrasts with the steadfastness encouraged in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-58.htm">1 Corinthians 15:58</a>, where believers are called to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." The call to stability is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is the rock and foundation for believers, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/2-6.htm">1 Peter 2:6-8</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the early Jerusalem church and wrote to Jewish Christians scattered abroad.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_christians.htm">Jewish Christians</a></b><br>The primary audience of the Epistle of James, who were facing trials and needed guidance on living out their faith.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/early_church.htm">Early Church</a></b><br>The context in which James wrote, characterized by persecution and the need for steadfast faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_double-mindedness.htm">Understanding Double-Mindedness</a></b><br>The Greek word for "double-minded" is "dipsuchos," meaning "two-souled" or "wavering." It describes a person who is indecisive and lacks commitment to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_instability.htm">The Danger of Instability</a></b><br>Being unstable in all ways implies a lack of firm foundation in faith, leading to inconsistency in actions and beliefs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_god.htm">Commitment to God</a></b><br>True faith requires a single-minded devotion to God, rejecting the pull of worldly desires and distractions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_faith.htm">Practical Faith</a></b><br>James emphasizes that faith must be lived out in actions. A double-minded person struggles to live out their faith consistently.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_wisdom.htm">Seeking Wisdom</a></b><br>Earlier in <a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">James 1</a>, believers are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. A stable, single-minded faith is essential for receiving and applying God's wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_doubting_your_salvation_mean.htm">What does doubting your salvation mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_double-minded_mean.htm">What is the meaning of being double-minded?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_nomina_sacra.htm">How can you purify your hearts, double-minded ones?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_babylon.htm">What does doubting your salvation mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) The eighth verse had better be joined with the seventh, and punctuated thus:--<span class= "ital">Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord:</span>--<span class= "ital">double minded, unstable in all his ways.</span> The reason why he can obtain nothing is because he is a man of two minds, and by consequence uncertain in his ways. The words, apparently are those of a proverb. It is useless to have, as it were, two hearts, one lifted up to God, the other turned away. "Come not unto Him with a double heart" (<a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/1-28.htm" title="Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.">Ecclesiasticus 1:28</a>; and comp. <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm" title="No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.">Matthew 6:24</a>).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/james/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[He is] a double-minded</span><br /><span class="grk">δίψυχος</span> <span class="translit">(dipsychos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1374.htm">Strong's 1374: </a> </span><span class="str2">(lit: of two souls, of two selves), double-minded, wavering. From dis and psuche; two-spirited, i.e. Vacillating.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνὴρ</span> <span class="translit">(anēr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unstable</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκατάστατος</span> <span class="translit">(akatastatos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_182.htm">Strong's 182: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unsettled, unstable (though these are hardly strong enough equivalents), almost anarchic. Inconstant.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="grk">πάσαις</span> <span class="translit">(pasais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ways.</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁδοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(hodois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> </span><span class="str2">A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/james/1-8.htm">NT Letters: James 1:8 He is a double-minded man unstable (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 1:9" /></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>