Devine Scripture

James 4:8

What does James 4:8 mean?

A plain-English look at James 4:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 4:8 means

James invites sinners and the double-minded to come close to God with integrity. Drawing near is met by God’s gracious nearness. Repentance has both outward and inward dimensions: cleanse your hands—turn from sinful deeds; purify your hearts—deal with divided motives and loyalties. God is not distant from the contrite; He welcomes those who abandon duplicity and seek Him wholeheartedly. The command acknowledges that believers can drift into double-mindedness, trying to hold both God and the world. The way back involves practical steps and sincere intention. Nearness to God is not earned by ritual but pursued through repentance, honesty, and faith that He gladly receives returning hearts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Make your hands clean, you evil-doers; put away deceit from your hearts, you false in mind.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you; cleanse hands, ye sinners! and purify hearts, ye two-souled!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Draw nigh to God: and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Draw near toGod, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, sinners, and purify [your] hearts, ye double-minded.

Context

Continuing the repentance imperatives (vv. 7–10), verse 8 spells out what submission entails: approach God and address both behavior and motive. It follows the assurance that the devil can be resisted and adds the parallel assurance that God draws near to the penitent. The call targets the “doubleminded,” echoing earlier concerns about divided loyalty. Verses 9–10 will intensify the tone, urging godly sorrow and humility, and promising that God will lift the truly humble.

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

v.8This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 24:4

    He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Psalms 145:18

    Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.

  • Isaiah 1:15

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  • Psalms 26:6

    I will wash my hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O Jehovah;

  • Acts 15:9

    and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

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