New International Version Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. New Living Translation Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. English Standard Version Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Berean Standard Bible Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Berean Literal Bible Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you⁺. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify hearts, you double-souled. King James Bible Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. New King James Version Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. New American Standard Bible Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. NASB 1995 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. NASB 1977 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Legacy Standard Bible Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Amplified Bible Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. Berean Annotated Bible Draw near to God {Theō}, and He will draw near to you⁺. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Christian Standard Bible Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Holman Christian Standard Bible Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! American Standard Version Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. Contemporary English Version Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind. English Revised Version Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. GOD'S WORD® Translation Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters. Good News Translation Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! International Standard Version Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. NET Bible Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. New Heart English Bible Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Webster's Bible Translation Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Weymouth New Testament Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDraw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. World English Bible Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versiondraw near to God, and He will draw near to you; cleanse hands, you sinners! And purify hearts, you split-souled! Berean Literal Bible Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you⁺. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify hearts, you double-souled. Young's Literal Translation draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you; cleanse hands, ye sinners! and purify hearts, ye two-souled! Smith's Literal Translation Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse the hands, ye sinful; and purify the hearts, ye double souled. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleDraw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners: and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Catholic Public Domain Version Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners! And purify your hearts, you duplicitous souls! New American Bible Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. New Revised Standard Version Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDraw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, O you sinners! And purify your hearts, O you of doubtful mind! Aramaic Bible in Plain English Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Purify your hands, you sinners; sanctify your hearts, doubting souls. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentdraw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded men. Godbey New Testament draw nigh unto God, and he draws nigh unto you. Purify your hands, ye sinners; and cleanse your hearts, ye double-minded. Haweis New Testament Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Make clean your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Mace New Testament address your selves to God, and you will find him present with you: cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, you that are diffident. Weymouth New Testament Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God. Worrell New Testament Draw nigh to God, and He wild draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Worsley New Testament Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you: cleanse your hands, O sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Drawing Near to God7Submit 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.… Cross References Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. 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. Psalm 73:28 But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works. 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?’ Cleanse your hands, you sinners, Psalm 24:3-4 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully. Isaiah 1:16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Ezekiel 18:30-31 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Acts 15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith. 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 way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 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. 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.’ Hosea 6:1 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. Treasury of Scripture Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Draw nigh to God. Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. 2 Chronicles 15:2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Cleanse. Job 9:30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; Job 16:17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. Job 17:9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. purity. Psalm 51:6,7,10 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom… Jeremiah 4:11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse, Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? ye double. James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Jump to Previous Clean Cleanse Deceit Double Doubleminded Double-Minded Draw Evil-Doers Half-Hearted Hands Hearts Mind Minded Nigh Pure Purify Sinners Towards Two-Souled WashJump to Next Clean Cleanse Deceit Double Doubleminded Double-Minded Draw Evil-Doers Half-Hearted Hands Hearts Mind Minded Nigh Pure Purify Sinners Towards Two-Souled WashJames 4 1. We are to strive against covetousness;4. intemperance; 5. pride; 11. detraction and rash judgment of others; 13. and not to be boastful of our future plans. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. God calls His people to turn from self-rule and seek Him in humble dependence. Nearness to God is expressed through prayer, worship, obedience, and trust. He does not remain distant from those who sincerely repent and come to Him, but graciously receives them into restored fellowship. Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart… Cleanse your hands, you sinners, Sinful conduct must be forsaken. The image recalls the washing required before approaching God in worship, but the concern is moral purity rather than outward ritual alone. Those living in disobedience are called to repent and turn from actions that defile their lives. Psa 24:3-4 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand… and purify your hearts, you double-minded. God also requires inward cleansing. Double-minded people attempt to hold allegiance to God while clinging to worldly desires and sinful priorities. True repentance reaches the heart, producing an undivided devotion to God. Jas 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe 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. God The central figure to whom believers are encouraged to draw near. The passage emphasizes God's readiness to reciprocate our approach with His presence. 3. Sinners Refers to those who are living in sin, highlighting the need for repentance and cleansing. 4. Double-minded A term used to describe individuals who are indecisive or wavering in their faith and commitment to God. 5. Early Christian Communities The audience of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing trials and temptations. Teaching Points Drawing Near to GodThe act of drawing near to God is both an invitation and a promise. It requires intentionality and a desire for a deeper relationship with Him. The Necessity of Repentance Cleansing hands and purifying hearts symbolize repentance. True repentance involves turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness. The Danger of Double-mindedness Being double-minded reflects a lack of commitment and faith. Believers are called to be steadfast and single-minded in their devotion to God. God's Faithful Response God's promise to draw near to those who seek Him assures us of His faithfulness and desire for intimacy with His children. Practical Steps for Purity Engage in regular self-examination, confession, and prayer to maintain a pure heart and clean hands before God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of James 4:8?2. How can we actively "draw near to God" in our daily lives? 3. What does it mean to "cleanse your hands" and "purify your hearts"? 4. How does James 4:8 connect with Psalm 24:3-4 about purity? 5. Why is repentance crucial for a closer relationship with God according to James 4:8? 6. What practical steps can we take to avoid being "double-minded"? 7. How does James 4:8 define the relationship between God and believers? 8. What does "Draw near to God" mean in practical terms? 9. How does James 4:8 challenge personal responsibility in faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from James 4? (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" (Psalm 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).Verse 8. - Draw nigh to God (ἐγγίσατε τῷ Θεῷ). A phrase used of approach to God under the old covenant (see Exodus 19:22; Exodus 34:30; Leviticus 10:3). Equally necessary under the new covenant is it for those who draw near to God to have "clean hands and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:4). Hence the following injunction: "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded." James 4:8 offers both invitation and mandate. God welcomes those who take deliberate steps toward Him, and He promises reciprocal closeness. Yet that intimacy requires clean hands, pure hearts, and undivided allegiance. Approaching Him with genuine repentance and wholehearted devotion ensures the nearness we crave and He delights to give. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Draw nearἐγγίσατε (engisate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach. to God, Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. He will draw near ἐγγιεῖ (engiei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach. to you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Cleanse καθαρίσατε (katharisate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2511: To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse. [your] hands, χεῖρας (cheiras) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 5495: A hand. [you] sinners, ἁμαρτωλοί (hamartōloi) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. purify ἁγνίσατε (hagnisate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 48: To cleanse, purify, either ceremonially, actually, or morally. From hagnos; to make clean, i.e. sanctify. [your] hearts, καρδίας (kardias) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. [you] double-minded. δίψυχοι (dipsychoi) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 1374: (lit: of two souls, of two selves), double-minded, wavering. From dis and psuche; two-spirited, i.e. Vacillating. Additonal Resources James 4:8 Blue Letter BibleJames 4:8 Bible Gateway James 4:8 Bible.com James 4:8 NIV |
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