James 4:4

KJV

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye adulterers {G3432} and {G2532} adulteresses {G3428}, know ye {G1492} not {G3756} that {G3754} the friendship {G5373} of the world {G2889} is {G2076} enmity {G2189} with God {G2316}? whosoever {G3739}{G302} therefore {G3767} will be {G1511}{G1014} a friend {G5384} of the world {G2889} is {G2525} the enemy {G2190} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You unfaithful wives! Don’t you know that loving the world is hating God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy!

Berean Standard Bible

You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

American Standard Version

Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 4:4 delivers a stark and confrontational warning against spiritual compromise, unequivocally stating that allegiance to the world's values and systems is tantamount to hostility toward God. Through the potent imagery of "adultery," James exposes the spiritual infidelity of those who claim devotion to God yet pursue the fleeting pleasures and corrupting influences of the fallen world, leaving no room for neutrality in one's spiritual loyalties.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic diagnosis of the spiritual sickness James has been addressing since the beginning of chapter 4. In [James 4:1-3](/james/4-1-3 "James 4:1-3 - The Source of Quarrels"), James attributes the "wars and fightings" among believers not to external pressures but to their internal "lusts" and unfulfilled desires. He condemns their covetousness and the self-serving motives behind their unanswered prayers, revealing that they ask with the wrong intention—"that ye may consume it upon your lusts." [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World") then escalates the accusation, identifying the root cause of these internal conflicts and misdirected prayers as a fundamental spiritual disloyalty. It sets the stage for the subsequent call to repentance, humility, and drawing near to God found in [James 4:7-10](/james/4-7-10 "James 4:7-10 - Submission to God and Humility").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of James's epistle were Jewish Christians dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. They lived in a Greco-Roman world permeated by diverse philosophical schools, pagan religions, and a strong emphasis on social status, wealth, and worldly success. For these early believers, the temptation to assimilate into the prevailing culture, to adopt its values, or to seek its approval would have been immense. The metaphor of "adultery" for spiritual unfaithfulness was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic tradition, where Israel's idolatry and pursuit of foreign gods were consistently depicted as a betrayal of their covenant relationship with Yahweh (e.g., [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1-3 "Hosea 1-3 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery")). This imagery would have resonated powerfully with a Jewish audience, underscoring the gravity of their divided loyalties.
* **Key Themes:** James 4:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the epistle and broader biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **Undivided Loyalty**, emphasizing that true devotion to God demands exclusive allegiance, echoing Jesus' teaching that "No man can serve two masters" as found in [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Serving Two Masters"). The verse also develops the theme of **Spiritual Adultery**, using a potent metaphor to describe the betrayal of one's covenant relationship with God through the pursuit of worldly affections. This concept is further elaborated in the Old Testament, where God's relationship with Israel is often likened to a marriage, and their unfaithfulness is spiritual harlotry. Finally, it underscores the **Nature of the "World"**, defining it not as God's good creation but as the fallen human system, its values, and its pursuits that stand in opposition to divine truth. This aligns with the New Testament's broader perspective on the "world" (Greek: _kosmos_) as a realm of spiritual darkness and rebellion against God, as seen in [1 John 2:15-17](/1_john/2-15-17 "1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love the World").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **friendship (Greek, _philía_):** This word, derived from _philos_ (dear, friend), signifies fondness, affection, or a close bond. In this context, it describes a deep attachment or alliance with the world, suggesting that one's affections, loyalties, and pursuits are aligned with its values and systems. It's more than casual acquaintance; it implies a chosen intimacy.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos_):** While _kósmos_ can refer to the physical universe or humanity, here it carries a moral and ethical sense. It signifies the present evil age, the fallen human system, its values, philosophies, and institutions that are alienated from God and hostile to His will. It represents the sphere of human existence organized apart from God, driven by pride, lust, and rebellion.
* **enmity (Greek, _échthra_):** This term denotes hostility, hatred, or active opposition. It describes a state of deep-seated antagonism. James uses it to convey that friendship with the world is not merely a slight disagreement or a neutral stance but an active, declared state of war against God. There is no middle ground; alliance with one implies opposition to the other.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye adulterers and adulteresses,"**: James opens with a shocking and direct accusation. This is not necessarily literal adultery, but a powerful **metaphor** for spiritual unfaithfulness. Just as a spouse betrays their covenant vows through physical adultery, so too do believers betray their covenant relationship with God by pursuing allegiances and affections contrary to Him. The use of both masculine (_moichós_) and feminine (_moichalís_) forms emphasizes that this spiritual compromise is widespread among the community, affecting all.
* **"know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?"**: This is a **rhetorical question** designed to provoke self-awareness and conviction. James implies that this truth should be self-evident to those who claim to know God. He explicitly states the incompatibility: a deep affection or alliance ("friendship") with the fallen human system ("the world") is not merely incompatible with God, but is outright "enmity" or active hostility toward Him. This highlights the mutually exclusive nature of these two allegiances.
* **"whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."**: This concluding statement reiterates and solidifies the preceding declaration, leaving no ambiguity. The Greek verb for "will be" (_boúlomai_) implies a deliberate choice or intention. It's not accidental but a conscious desire to align oneself with the world. Consequently, anyone who makes this choice _becomes_ ("is," from _kathístēmi_, to constitute or appoint) an "enemy" (_echthrós_) of God. This is a severe warning, emphasizing that there is no neutral ground; choosing one side automatically places one in opposition to the other.

#### Literary Devices
James 4:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify its urgent message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically **Spiritual Adultery**. By addressing his readers as "adulterers and adulteresses," James employs a powerful Old Testament prophetic image (e.g., Israel as an unfaithful wife to Yahweh) to convey the profound betrayal inherent in their divided loyalties. This metaphor underscores the covenantal, relational nature of their bond with God and the gravity of their unfaithfulness. A **Rhetorical Question** ("know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?") is used not to seek information, but to challenge the readers' understanding and expose their spiritual blindness, implying that the truth should be obvious to them. Furthermore, the verse uses **Personification** by attributing "friendship" to the abstract concept of "the world," making the "world" seem like an entity one can befriend or align with, thereby intensifying the conflict between divine and worldly allegiances. The stark **Antithesis** between "friendship of the world" and "enmity with God" creates a powerful contrast, emphasizing the absolute incompatibility of these two positions and the impossibility of serving both masters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 4:4 profoundly articulates the theological principle that God demands exclusive devotion from His people. The imagery of spiritual adultery harkens back to the Old Testament covenant, where Israel's unfaithfulness to Yahweh through idolatry was consistently portrayed as a breach of their marital covenant with God, who is a "jealous God" ([Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy")). This verse underscores that the "world" is not merely a neutral environment, but a spiritual system organized in opposition to God, and to align oneself with its values, ambitions, and pleasures is to declare oneself an adversary of the Most High. There is no middle ground; one's ultimate allegiance determines one's spiritual standing.

* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No Man Can Serve Two Masters")
* [1 John 2:15-17](/1_john/2-15-17 "1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love the World")
* [Romans 8:7](/romans/8-7 "Romans 8:7 - The Mind Set on the Flesh is Hostile to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 4:4 serves as a timeless and piercing challenge to every believer, urging us to deeply examine the true object of our affections and loyalties. In a world saturated with competing desires and values, this verse compels us to confront the subtle, yet pervasive, pull of worldliness. It forces us to ask: Are our choices, aspirations, and pursuits ultimately shaped by God's Word and His kingdom, or by the prevailing culture's definitions of success, happiness, and fulfillment? True spiritual health and peace are contingent upon an undivided heart, one that consciously and consistently chooses friendship with God over the fleeting allure of the world. This means discerning the "spirit of the world" in its various manifestations—from materialism and self-promotion to entertainment and intellectual trends that contradict biblical truth—and deliberately resisting its influence. It is a call to radical discipleship, to live "in" the world but not "of" the world, ensuring that our ultimate allegiance remains solely with our Creator and Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific aspects of "the world" (its values, entertainment, ambitions) do I find most tempting to befriend or align myself with?**
* **How might my "friendship with the world" manifest in my daily decisions, priorities, or attitudes?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to repent and realign my loyalties to demonstrate undivided devotion to God?**
* **How does understanding the "enmity" between friendship with the world and God impact my view of spiritual compromise?**

### FAQ

**What does James mean by "friendship of the world"?**

Answer: When James speaks of "friendship of the world," he is not referring to engaging with people in the world or appreciating God's good creation. Instead, "the world" (Greek: _kosmos_) here signifies the fallen human system, its values, philosophies, and pursuits that are in rebellion against God. It represents the sphere of human existence organized apart from divine truth and driven by sinful desires. Therefore, "friendship of the world" means having a deep affection, allegiance, or intimate bond with this anti-God system, adopting its principles, seeking its approval, or prioritizing its transient pleasures over God's will. It implies that one's heart is aligned with worldly desires and ambitions rather than with God's kingdom. This concept is echoed in [1 John 2:15](/1_john/2-15 "1 John 2:15 - Do Not Love the World"), which warns believers not to love the world or the things in the world.

**Why is "friendship of the world" considered "enmity with God"?**

Answer: James declares that "friendship of the world is enmity with God" because God demands exclusive and undivided loyalty from His people. The relationship between God and His covenant people is often depicted as a marriage, where any allegiance to other gods or systems is considered spiritual adultery. The "world" as defined by James stands in direct opposition to God's character and purposes. Its values (pride, lust, materialism) are antithetical to God's values (humility, purity, generosity). To befriend the world, therefore, is to align oneself with His adversary, to choose a side that is fundamentally hostile to Him. There is no neutral ground; one cannot simultaneously be devoted to God and deeply attached to a system that rejects Him. [Romans 8:7](/romans/8-7 "Romans 8:7 - The Mind Set on the Flesh is Hostile to God") similarly states that "the carnal mind is enmity against God."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James's stark warning in [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World") finds its ultimate resolution and profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "friendship of the world" that leads to "enmity with God" is precisely the condition from which Christ came to deliver humanity. Jesus Himself lived a life of perfect obedience, utterly refusing to befriend the world or succumb to its temptations, even when offered "all the kingdoms of the world" by Satan in [Matthew 4:8-10](/matthew/4-8-10 "Matthew 4:8-10 - Temptation of Jesus"). He taught His disciples that they would be "in the world" but not "of the world" ([John 17:14-16](/john/17-14-16 "John 17:14-16 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples")), setting the example for a life of radical, undivided devotion to the Father. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ broke the power of the world's system over those who believe, reconciling us to God and transforming our former enmity into friendship ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation through Christ")). Now, through faith in Him, believers are called to walk in newness of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit to resist the pull of worldliness and to live out their newfound identity as "friends of God" ([John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus Calls His Disciples Friends")), demonstrating their allegiance by loving Him above all else and obeying His commands ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 2:15

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:16

For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Galatians 1:10

¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

John 15:19

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Matthew 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

John 17:14

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.