What does James 4:7 mean?

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Explanation

The verse James 4:7 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible contains two primary instructions for believers: to submit to God and to resist the devil. To “submit” in this context means to yield to the authority and will of God, aligning oneself under His lordship. This submission implies obedience, humility, and a recognition of God’s sovereignty. On the other hand, “resist” involves standing firm against, opposing, or withstanding something. In this case, it refers to opposing the devil, which symbolizes evil or the adversary. The promise that follows these actions is that the devil will “flee,” suggesting that evil cannot stand against someone who is both submitted to God and actively resisting temptation or sinful influences.

Historical Context

The Epistle of James is believed to have been written by James, the brother of Jesus, and a leader in the early Christian church in Jerusalem. It was likely written between 48-62 A.D., a time when the early church was growing but facing various internal and external challenges. The community James addressed was experiencing strife, with members demonstrating favoritism, slander, and conflict. James 4:7 is part of a larger section of the epistle where James addresses these conflicts, calling the believers to repentance, humility, and submission to God.

Theological Insights

James 4:7 is rich in theological insights and has been interpreted from various perspectives:

• Protestant Perspective: Martin Luther and other reformers emphasized the grace of God and the believer’s justification by faith. They would see the submission to God as a result of grace, which empowers the believer to resist evil.

• Catholic Perspective: The Catholic tradition emphasizes human cooperation with grace and might highlight the necessity of one’s active resistance to the devil alongside God’s help.

• Orthodox Perspective: In line with early Church Fathers, Eastern Orthodox theology would understand submission to God as part of theosis, the process of becoming more like God, which includes overcoming the power of evil.

Practical Applications

Applying James 4:7 to daily life can take several forms:

• Spiritual Disciplines: Practicing regular prayer, fasting, and reading scripture as ways to submit to God.
• Accountability: Seeking accountability partners to help resist temptation.
• Service: Engaging in service to others as an expression of submitting oneself to God’s will.

Cross-References

• 1 Peter 5:6-9: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…Whom resist stedfast in the faith…”
• Ephesians 6:11: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
• James 4:10: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Language Study

Two key Greek words in the original language of James 4:7 are:

• “Submit” (Greek: Ὑποτάγητε/hypotagēte): This word has a military background, referring to arranging troops under the command of a leader.
• “Resist” (Greek: ἀντίστητε/antistēte): This word also possesses a military context, suggesting to arrange against, implying an active, opposed stance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, many ancient mythologies contain narratives where gods or heroes resist evil or chaotic forces. For instance, in Greek mythology, heroes often had to resist the temptations of gods or creatures, similar to the resistance to the devil mentioned in this verse.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse might not directly intersect scientific discussions, the concept of resisting urges can relate to psychological studies on willpower and self-control. Research on neural correlates of self-regulation could yield insights into the mental processes involved in resisting temptation.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer a range of interpretations on James 4:7:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the need for inner purification and the grace of God that enables believers to resist the devil.
• The Pulpit Commentary suggests that the grace to resist comes from God and the devil will not flee from someone who is not genuinely submitted to God’s authority.
• The Expositor’s Greek Testament comments on the military language used in the original Greek, reinforcing the idea of authority and disciplined resistance.