Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 4:10

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you." — James 4:10 (ASV)

James now returns to the text quoted from the OT in v.6. God graciously gives aid to the humble; therefore “humble yourselves” (GK 5427). Here the specific form of humbling is that of repentance for the sin of transferring affections from God to the pleasures of the world. However, the principle stated is much more comprehensive in its application. That God lifts up those who humble themselves is a consistent biblical principle (cf. Matthew 23:12; 18:14; 1 Peter 5:6).