James 4:6

James 4:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
• New International Version (NIV)But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
• New King James Version (NKJV)But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Context of James 4:6

4You 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. 5Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 7Therefore, submit 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, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:6 word by word

μείζονα δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν· διὸ λέγει· ὁ θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• he givethδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• moreμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• graceχάριςcharis · graceG5485
• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• he saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• resistethἀντιτάσσωantitassomai · to resistG498
• the proudὑπερήφανοςhuperēphanos · arrogantG5244
• unto the humbleταπεινόςtapeinos · lowlyG5011

Cross-references for James 4:6

• Exodus 10:3So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may worship me.
• Exodus 15:9The enemy said: “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil. My desire will be gratified at their expense. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.”
• Exodus 18:11Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because he did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.”
• 1 Samuel 2:3Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by him.
• Job 22:29When others are humiliated and you say, “Lift them up,” God will save the humble.
• Job 40:10Adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.
• Psalms 138:6Though the Lord is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance.
• Proverbs 3:34He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble.
• Proverbs 6:16The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him:
• Proverbs 29:23A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.
• Isaiah 2:11The pride of mankind will be humbled, and human loftiness will be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
• Isaiah 10:8For he says, “Aren’t all my commanders kings?
• Isaiah 16:6We have heard of Moab’s pride — how very proud he is — his haughtiness, his pride, his arrogance, and his empty boasting.
• Daniel 4:37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
• Daniel 5:20But when his heart was exalted and his spirit became arrogant, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken from him.
• Matthew 23:12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Commentaries on James 4:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6But he giveth more grace - , A greater benefit, than all the goods that the world can bestow; for he gives genuine happiness, and this the world cannot confer. May this be St. James' meaning? God resisteth the proud - · Sets himself in battle array against him. Giveth grace unto the humble - The sure way to please God is to submit to the dispensation of his grace and providence; and when a man acknowledges him in all his ways, he will direct all his…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6But he giveth more grace - The reference here is undoubtedly to God. Some have regarded this clause as a continuation of the quotation in the previous verse, but it is rather to be considered as a declaration of the apostle himself. The writer had just spoken of envy, and of the crimes which grew out of it. He thought of the wars and commotions of the earth, and of the various lusts which reigned among men. In the contemplation of these things, it seems…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-10James explains the causes of conflict among people: love for the world, divided loyalty, and arrogant criticism (4:11–12). He gives instructions that will fix these problems and lead to peace.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. But--"Nay, rather." he--God. giveth more grace--ever increasing grace; the farther ye depart from "envy" [Bengel]. he saith--The same God who causes His spirit to dwell in believers (Jas 4:5), by the Spirit also speaks in Scripture. The quotation here is probably from Pr 3:34; as probably Pr 21:10 was generally referred to in Jas 4:5. In Hebrew it is "scorneth the scorners," namely, those who think "Scripture speaketh in vain." resisteth--literally…Read the comment

Topics related to James 4:6

• Gifts from God
• Humility
• Pride
• Quotations and Allusions

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Adulterer
• Amiss
• Consume
• Enmity
• Flee
• Hence
• Lust
• Resist

Commentaries on James 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings