A.T. Robertson Commentary James 4:7

"Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you." — James 4:7 (ASV)

Be subject therefore unto God (υποταγητε ουν τω θεω). Second aorist (ingressive) passive imperative of υποτασσω, old verb, to range under (military term also). Same form in 1 Peter 2:23; 5:5. With the dative case θεω (unto God). The aorist has the note of urgency in the imperative. Note the ten aorist imperatives in verses 7-10 (υποταγητε, αντιστητε, εγγισατε, καθαρισατε, αγνισατε, ταλαιπωρησατε, πενθησατε, κλαυσατε, μετατραπητω, ταπεινωθητε).

But resist the devil (αντιστητε δε τω διαβολω). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) imperative of ανθιστημ, "take a stand against." Dative case διαβολω. Result of such a stand is that the devil will flee (φευξετα, future middle of φευγω). See 1 Peter 5:8f.; Ephesians 6:11f.; Luke 10:17.