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◄ James 4:8►

New International Version
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

New Living Translation
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

English Standard Version
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Berean Standard Bible
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Berean Literal Bible
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanseyour hands,you sinners, and have purified hearts,you double-minded.

King James Bible
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanseyour hands,ye sinners; and purifyyour hearts,ye double minded.

New King James Version
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanseyour hands,you sinners; and purifyyour hearts,you double-minded.

New American Standard Bible
Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanseyour hands, you sinners; and purifyyour hearts, you double-minded.

NASB 1995
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

NASB 1977
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Legacy Standard Bible
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Amplified Bible
Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

Christian Standard Bible
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

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

Contemporary English Version
Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters.

Good News Translation
Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites!

International Standard Version
Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

NET Bible
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.

New Heart English Bible
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Webster's Bible Translation
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

Weymouth New Testament
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

World English Bible
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
draw near to God, and He will draw near to you; cleanse hands, you sinners! And purify hearts, you split-souled!

Berean Literal Bible
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanseyour hands,you sinners, and have purified hearts,you double-minded.

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

Smith's Literal Translation
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse the hands, ye sinful; and purify the hearts, ye double souled.

Catholic Translations

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

Catholic Public Domain Version
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners! And purify your hearts, you duplicitous souls!

New American Bible
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.

New Revised Standard Version
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, O you sinners! And purify your hearts, O you of doubtful mind!

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Purify your hands, you sinners; sanctify your hearts, doubting souls.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded men.

Godbey New Testament
draw nigh unto God, and he draws nigh unto you. Purify your hands, ye sinners; and cleanse your hearts, ye double-minded.

Haweis New Testament
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Make clean your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

Mace New Testament
address your selves to God, and you will find him present with you: cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, you that are diffident.

Weymouth New Testament
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God.

Worrell New Testament
Draw nigh to God, and He wild draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

Worsley New Testament
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you: cleanse your hands, O sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Drawing Near to God
7Submit yourselves, then, 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,you sinners,and purify your hearts,you double-minded.9Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Psalm 73:28
But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

2 Chronicles 15:2
So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

Zechariah 1:3
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’

Hosea 6:1
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 Samuel 7:3
Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

John 15:4-5
Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Draw nigh to God.

Genesis 18:23
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORDis with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Cleanse.

Job 9:30
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

Job 16:17
Not forany injustice in mine hands: also my prayeris pure.

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

purity.

Psalm 51:6,7,10
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hiddenpart thou shalt make me to know wisdom…

Jeremiah 4:11
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

ye double.

James 1:8
A double minded manis unstable in all his ways.

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Clean Cleanse Deceit Double Doubleminded Double-Minded Draw Evil-Doers Half-Hearted Hands Hearts Mind Minded Nigh Pure Purify Sinners Towards Two-Souled Wash

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Clean Cleanse Deceit Double Doubleminded Double-Minded Draw Evil-Doers Half-Hearted Hands Hearts Mind Minded Nigh Pure Purify Sinners Towards Two-Souled Wash

James 4

1.We are to strive against covetousness;
4.intemperance;
5.pride;
11.detraction and rash judgment of others;
13.and not to be boastful of our future plans.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
This phrase emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between God and believers. The call to "draw near" suggests an intentional movement towards God, implying prayer, worship, and a life aligned with His will. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament, where God promises His presence to those who seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13). The idea of God drawing near is also seen in the New Testament, where Jesus promises to be with His followers (Matthew 28:20). Theologically, this reflects the covenant relationship God desires with His people, highlighting His readiness to respond to human initiative with grace and presence.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners,
The imagery of cleansing hands is reminiscent of the ritual purity laws in the Old Testament, where priests were required to wash before approaching God (Exodus 30:19-21). This symbolizes moral and ethical purity, urging believers to repent from sinful actions. The term "sinners" is a direct address to those who have strayed from God's commandments, calling them to repentance. This aligns with the prophetic tradition, where prophets like Isaiah called for repentance and moral reform (Isaiah 1:16-17).

and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Purifying the heart goes beyond external actions, addressing the internal state of a person. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of will and emotion. This call to purity echoes Jesus' teaching in the Beatitudes, where the pure in heart are promised to see God (Matthew 5:8). The term "double-minded" refers to a divided loyalty, where individuals are torn between God and worldly desires. This concept is addressed earlier in James (James 1:8), warning against instability in faith. The call to purify the heart is a call to wholehearted devotion to God, eliminating any internal conflict or hypocrisy.

Persons / Places / Events

1.James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers.

2.God
The central figure to whom believers are encouraged to draw near. The passage emphasizes God's readiness to reciprocate our approach with His presence.

3.Sinners
Refers to those who are living in sin, highlighting the need for repentance and cleansing.

4.Double-minded
A term used to describe individuals who are indecisive or wavering in their faith and commitment to God.

5.Early Christian Communities
The audience of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing trials and temptations.

Teaching Points

Drawing Near to God
The act of drawing near to God is both an invitation and a promise. It requires intentionality and a desire for a deeper relationship with Him.

The Necessity of Repentance
Cleansing hands and purifying hearts symbolize repentance. True repentance involves turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness.

The Danger of Double-mindedness
Being double-minded reflects a lack of commitment and faith. Believers are called to be steadfast and single-minded in their devotion to God.

God's Faithful Response
God's promise to draw near to those who seek Him assures us of His faithfulness and desire for intimacy with His children.

Practical Steps for Purity
Engage in regular self-examination, confession, and prayer to maintain a pure heart and clean hands before God.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of James 4:8?

2.How can we actively "draw near to God" in our daily lives?

3.What does it mean to "cleanse your hands" and "purify your hearts"?

4.How does James 4:8 connect with Psalm 24:3-4 about purity?

5.Why is repentance crucial for a closer relationship with God according to James 4:8?

6.What practical steps can we take to avoid being "double-minded"?

7.How does James 4:8 define the relationship between God and believers?

8.What does "Draw near to God" mean in practical terms?

9.How does James 4:8 challenge personal responsibility in faith?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from James 4?

11.James 4:8 promises closeness with God if people draw near to Him—how can this be tested or verified scientifically or historically?

12.Have you cleansed your hands, you sinners?

13.How can one draw near to God?

14.How can you purify your hearts, double-minded ones?

What Does James 4:8 Mean

Draw near to God

James urges an intentional move toward the Lord: “Draw near to God”. This is not a vague feeling but a decisive step.

• God has always welcomed those who come: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him” (Psalm 145:18).

• We are invited into His presence through Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 10:19-22).

• Seeking Him is more than a crisis reflex; it is daily pursuit—“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

and He will draw near to you

The promise is stunningly straightforward: God responds to sincere approach with His own nearness.

• He has shown this pattern throughout history—“What great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7).

• The prophet told King Asa, “The LORD is with you when you are with Him” (2 Chronicles 15:2).

• Jesus repeats the pledge personally: “If anyone loves Me…My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23).

Cleanse your hands, you sinners

James shifts from invitation to preparation. Sin-stained hands must be washed.

• External actions matter; sinful behavior cannot stand in His holy presence (Psalm 24:3-4).

• The call echoes Isaiah’s plea: “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds” (Isaiah 1:16).

• Confession and repentance keep fellowship unbroken—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

and purify your hearts

Beyond outward deeds, inner motives need cleansing.

• David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10).

• Obedience to truth produces sincere love “from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).

• Jesus links purity of heart with the privilege of seeing God (Matthew 5:8).

you double-minded

Double-mindedness is divided loyalty—wavering between God and the world.

• Earlier James warned, “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

• Jesus insists, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).

• Elijah’s confrontation still resonates: “How long will you limp between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him” (1 Kings 18:21).

summary

James 4:8 offers both invitation and mandate. God welcomes those who take deliberate steps toward Him, and He promises reciprocal closeness. Yet that intimacy requires clean hands, pure hearts, and undivided allegiance. Approaching Him with genuine repentance and wholehearted devotion ensures the nearness we crave and He delights to give.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8)Draw nigh to God . . .--God waiteth to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18). Like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15), He beholds us while we are "yet a great way off," and runs, as it were, to hasten our return. He has "no pleasure in the death of him that dieth" (Ezekiel 18:32). But who shall come "into the tabernacle of God, or rest upon His holy hill" (Psalm 15:1), except the man "of uncorrupt life"? Surely, the penitent as well; the murderous hands "which all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten," the hearts polluted with the most abominable lusts, may and must be cleansed;sinners and double-minded (refer toJames 1:8) though they be, and both in one, the Lord of mercy will "draw nigh" to them, if they to Him: all their "transgressions shall not be mentioned," they "shall live and not die" (Ezekiel 18:21-22).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. -Draw nigh to God (ἐγγίσατε τῷΘεῷ). A phrase used of approach to God under the old covenant (seeExodus 19:22;Exodus 34:30;Leviticus 10:3). Equally necessary under the new covenant is it for those who draw near to God to have "clean hands and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:4). Hence the following injunction: "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Draw near
ἐγγίσατε(engisate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1448:Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

to God,
Θεῷ(Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

He will draw near
ἐγγιεῖ(engiei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1448:Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

to you.
ὑμῖν(hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Cleanse
καθαρίσατε(katharisate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2511:To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse.

[your] hands,
χεῖρας(cheiras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495:A hand.

[you] sinners,
ἁμαρτωλοί(hamartōloi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 268:Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

purify
ἁγνίσατε(hagnisate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 48:To cleanse, purify, either ceremonially, actually, or morally. From hagnos; to make clean, i.e. sanctify.

[your] hearts,
καρδίας(kardias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

[you] double-minded.
δίψυχοι(dipsychoi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1374:(lit: of two souls, of two selves), double-minded, wavering. From dis and psuche; two-spirited, i.e. Vacillating.

Links

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NT Letters: James 4:8 Draw near to God and he will (Ja Jas. Jam)