Charles Ellicott Commentary James 4:8

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded." — James 4:8 (ASV)

Draw nigh to God . . .—God waits to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18). Like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20), 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 (Psalms 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 though they are, 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).