Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 4:7

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

James issues a series of ten commands in vv.7–10. In each one the specific Greek form used calls for immediate response. It is a pointed and forceful way to demand action. The command to “submit” (GK 5718) to God is the logical response to the quotation from Pr 3:34 (cf. “then,” which has the inferential meaning of “therefore”). Since “God opposes the proud” but helps “the humble,” believers should submit to him. Submission is not the same as obedience. Instead, it is the surrender of one’s will, which in turn leads to obedience.

Rather than resisting God’s will for us, we should “resist the devil.” James appears to suggest that the spiritual unfaithfulness of v.4 was the result of the devil’s influence. The promise “he will flee from you” gives assurance that, as powerful as he may be, Satan can be resisted.