Devine Scripture

James 4:10

What does James 4:10 mean?

A plain-English look at James 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 4:10 means

The path upward runs through the valley of humility. To humble oneself “in the sight of the Lord” is to acknowledge His holiness, our need, and His right to rule. This is no self-loathing but truth-telling before God. The promise is sure: He will exalt the humble in His time and way—lifting them from guilt, restoring fellowship, and granting honor that comes from Him, not from the world. This pattern—humiliation followed by exaltation—is displayed most fully in Jesus, who humbled Himself and was glorified. James assures believers that God’s kingdom reverses the world’s logic: those who bow low under His hand are the ones He graciously raises up.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Make yourselves low in the eyes of the Lord and you will be lifted up by him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

be made low before the Lord, and He shall exalt you.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be humbled in the sight of the Lord: and he will exalt you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Humble yourselves before [the] Lord, and he shall exalt you.

Context

Verse 10 concludes the cluster of repentance commands (vv. 7–10) with a gracious promise. After calling for submission, resistance, nearness, cleansing, and mourning, James assures that God will exalt the humble. This pivots the chapter from our posture before God to our posture toward others. Verses 11–12 will apply humility horizontally by forbidding slanderous judgment, grounding it in God’s sole right as Lawgiver and Judge.

v.9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

v.10This passage

v.11Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 22:29

    When they casttheedown, thou shalt say, There is lifting up; And the humble person he will save.

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

  • 1 Samuel 2:9

    He will keep the feet of his holy ones; But the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; For by strength shall no man prevail.

  • Psalms 30:1

    I will extol thee, O Jehovah; for thou hast raised me up, And hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

  • Psalms 28:9

    Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: Be their shepherd also, and bear them up for ever.

  • Psalms 27:6

    And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; And I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto Jehovah.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore James 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on James 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to James 4:10.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary