Devine Scripture

James 4:6

What does James 4:6 mean?

A plain-English look at James 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 4:6 means

Against the dark backdrop of envy and worldliness, James announces hope: “he giveth more grace.” God is not stingy with help; He opposes the proud but pours favor on the humble. Pride resists God’s rule and clings to self, inviting His resistance. Humility bows, confesses need, and receives strength greater than our sin and our temptations. James echoes Scripture’s wisdom that the lowly find God near. The way back from spiritual adultery is not self-improvement but grace received with a bowed head. This promise anchors the imperatives to come—submission, resistance, repentance—because God supplies the power the humble seek.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he gives more grace. So that the Writings say, God is against the men of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low before him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and greater grace he doth give, wherefore he saith, `God against proud ones doth set Himself up, and to lowly ones He doth give grace?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says,God sets himself against [the] proud, but gives grace to [the] lowly.

Context

This verse turns the tide from rebuke to remedy. Following the exposure of inner envy (v. 5), James quotes Scripture’s principle that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. It frames the next section (vv. 7–10) with gospel hope: commands are grounded in God’s generous help. The flow matters: having stripped self-confidence, James now offers the path of grace-enabled obedience—submit to God, resist the devil, draw near, cleanse, mourn, and be lifted up.

v.5Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?

v.6This passage

v.7Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 138:6

    For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:27

    because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and hast humbled thyself before me, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith Jehovah.

  • Proverbs 29:23

    A man’s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

  • Isaiah 2:17

    And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day.

  • Isaiah 16:6

    We have heard of the pride of Moab, thathe is very proud; even of his arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought.

  • Proverbs 15:33

    The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honorgoethhumility.

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