SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:4
Adlteros, y adlteras, ¿no sabis que la amistad del mundo es enemistad con Dios? Cualquiera pues que quisiere ser amigo del mundo, se constituye en enemigo de Dios.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 4:4
Verse 4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses] The Jews, because of their covenant with God, are represented as being espoused to him; and hence their idolatry, and their iniquity in general, are represented under the notion of adultery. And although they had not since the Babylonish captivity been guilty of idolatry; according to the letter; yet what is intended by idolatry, having their hearts estranged from God, and seeking their portion in this life and out of God, is that of which the Jews were then notoriously guilty. And I rather think that it is in this sense especially that St. James uses the words. "Lo! they that are far from thee shall perish; thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee." But perhaps something more than spiritual adultery is intended. See ver. 9. The friendship of the world] The world was their god; here they committed their spiritual adultery; and they cultivated this friendship in order that they might gain this end.
The word moicalidev, adulteresses, is wanting in the Syriac, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and one copy of the Itala.
Whosoever-will be a friend of the world] How strange it is that people professing Christianity can suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favour of God, or ever get to the kingdom of heaven! When the world gets into the Church, the Church becomes a painted sepulchre; its spiritual vitality being extinct.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses , etc.] Not who were literally such, but in a figurative and metaphorical sense: as he is an adulterer that removes his affections from his own wife, and sets them upon another woman; and she is an adulteress that loves not her husband, but places her love upon another man; so such men and women are adulterers and adulteresses, who, instead of loving God, whom they ought to love with all their hearts and souls, set their affections upon the world, and the things of it: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, leave out the word adulteresses: these the apostle addresses in the following manner; know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? that an immoderate love for the good things of the world, and a prevailing desire after the evil things of it, and a delight in the company and conversation of the men of the world, and a conformity to, and compliance with, the sinful manners and customs of the world, are so many declarations of war with God, and acts of hostility upon him; and show the enmity of the mind against him, and must be highly displeasing to him, and resented by him: whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God ; whoever is in league with the one must be an enemy to the other; God and mammon cannot be loved and served by the same persons, at the same time; the one will be loved, and the other hated; the one will be attended to, and the other neglected: this may be known both from reason and from Scripture, particularly from ( Matthew 6:24).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our ow hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow conten or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God. And let us beware that we do no abuse or misuse the mercies received, by the disposition of the hear when prayers are granted When men ask of God prosperity, they often as with wrong aims and intentions. If we thus seek the things of thi world, it is just in God to deny them. Unbelieving and cold desires be denials; and we may be sure that when prayers are rather the languag of lusts than of graces, they will return empty. Here is a decide warning to avoid all criminal friendships with this world Worldly-mindedness is enmity to God. An enemy may be reconciled, but "enmity" never can be reconciled. A man may have a large portion in things of this life, and yet be kept in the love of God; but he wh sets his heart upon the world, who will conform to it rather than los its friendship, is an enemy to God. So that any one who resolves at all events to be upon friendly terms with the world, must be the enemy of God. Did then the Jews, or the loose professors of Christianity, thin the Scripture spake in vain against this worldly-mindedness? or doe the Holy Spirit who dwells in all Christians, or the new nature whic he creates, produce such fruit? Natural corruption shows itself by envying. The spirit of the world teaches us to lay up, or lay out for ourselves, according to our own fancies; God the Holy Spirit teaches u to be willing to do good to all about us, as we are able. The grace of God will correct and cure the spirit by nature in us; and where he gives grace, he gives another spirit than that of the world. The prou resist God: in their understanding they resist the truths of God; in their will they resist the laws of God; in their passions they resis the providence of God; therefore, no wonder that God resists the proud How wretched the state of those who make God their enemy! God will giv more grace to the humble, because they see their need of it, pray for it are thankful for it, and such shall have it. Submit to God, very #(7). Submit your understanding to the truth of God; submit your will to the will of his precept, the will of his providence. Submi yourselves to God, for he is ready to do you good. If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the whole armour of God, and stand out against him, he will leave us. Le sinners then submit to God, and seek his grace and favour; resistin the devil. All sin must be wept over; here, in godly sorrow, or hereafter, in eternal misery. And the Lord will not refuse to comfor one who really mourns for sin, or to exalt one who humbles himsel before him.
Greek Textus Receptus
μοιχοι 3432 και 2532 μοιχαλιδες 3428 ουκ 3756 οιδατε 1492 5758 οτι 3754 η 3588 φιλια 5373 του 3588 κοσμου 2889 εχθρα 2189 του 3588 θεου 2316 εστιν 2076 5748 ος 3739 αν 302 ουν 3767 βουληθη 1014 5680 φιλος 5384 ειναι 1511 5750 του 3588 κοσμου 2889 εχθρος 2190 του 3588 θεου 2316 καθισταται 2525 5743
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. Ye adulterers (moicoi) All the best texts omit.
Adulteresses (moicalidev). The feminine term is the general designation of all whom James here rebukes. The apostate members of the church are figuratively regarded as unfaithful spouses; according to the common Old Testament figure, in which God is the bridegroom or husband to whom his people are wedded. See Jeremiah 3; Hosea 2, 3, 4; Isa. liv. 5; lxii. 4, 5. Also, Matt. xii. 39; 2 Cor. xi. 2; Apoc. xix. 7; xxi. 9. Will be (boulhqh einai). More correctly, as Rev., would be. Lit., may have been minded to be.
Is the enemy (kaqistatai). Thereby constitutes himself. Rev., maketh himself. See on ch. iii. 6.
