James 4:9
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Be afflicted, and mourn - Without true and deep repentance ye cannot expect the mercy of God. Let your laughter be turned to mourning - It appears most evidently that many of those to whom St. James addressed this epistle had lived a very irregular and dissolute life. He had already spoken of their lust, and pleasures, and he had called them adulterers and adulteresses; and perhaps they were so in the grossest sense of the words. He speaks here of their laughter and their joy; and all the terms taken together show that a dissolute life is intended. What a strange view must he have of the nature of primitive Christianity, who can suppose that these words can possibly have been addressed to people professing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who were few in number, without wealth or consequence, and were persecuted and oppressed both by their brethren the Jews and by the Romans!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Be afflicted--literally, "Endure misery," that is, mourn over your wretchedness through sin. Repent with deep sorrow instead of your present laughter. A blessed mourning. Contrast Isa 22:12-13; Luk 6:25. James does not add here, as in Jam 5:1, "howl," where he foretells the doom of the impenitent at the coming destruction of Jerusalem. heaviness--literally, "falling of the countenance," casting down of the eyes.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep,.... Not in a bare external way; not by afflicting the body with fastings and scourgings, by renting of garments, and clothing with sackcloth, and putting ashes on the head, and other such outward methods of humiliation; but afflicting the soul is meant, an inward mourning and weeping over the plague of the heart, the impurity of nature, and the various sins of life; after a godly sort, and because contrary to a God of infinite love and grace; in an evangelical way, looking to Jesus, and being affected with the pardoning grace and love of God in Christ. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness; meaning their carnal joy, on account of their friendship with the world, and their enjoyment of the things of it, since they consumed them on their lusts, and which betrayed enmity to God.
James 4:9
Drawing Near to God
8Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Somebody Prayed - Part 2 (Compilation)
By Compilations1.1K09:05CompilationPSA 126:6MAT 6:33LUK 19:41JHN 11:35ROM 9:22CO 2:4JAS 4:9In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of witnessing a preacher named Michael weeping and begging for people to repent and get right with God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a broken heart for the salvation of others. He mentions that only a small percentage of people share their faith and expresses a desire to see more tears shed for the lost. The speaker references biblical passages that highlight the significance of weeping and bearing precious seeds for the sake of bringing souls to God.
Loathsome Thoughts
By Thomas Brooks0RepentanceSelf-ReflectionJOB 40:4PSA 51:3ISA 6:5EZK 6:9EZK 20:43LUK 18:13ROM 7:242CO 7:10JAS 4:91JN 1:9Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of true repentance, which involves a deep loathing of both sin and oneself due to sin. He illustrates how a sincere penitent recognizes the weight of their sins, expressing a heartfelt abhorrence for their actions and the impact on their character. This self-loathing is not merely a low view of oneself but a profound realization of one's sinful nature, as echoed in the cries of the penitent. Brooks highlights that true repentance leads to a transformative acknowledgment of one's faults, urging believers to confront their sins with humility and sorrow.
Mourning for Sin and Holy Joy
By Thomas Brooks0Holy JoyMourning for SinPSA 30:52CO 6:10JAS 4:9Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound relationship between godly sorrow and holy joy, illustrating that true mourning for sin leads to the deepest forms of spiritual joy. He explains that a godly person's most joyful moments often coincide with their tears of repentance, as these tears nurture a heart filled with joy. Brooks likens this process to a bee extracting honey from bitter herbs, suggesting that the sweetest joys arise from sincere repentance. He asserts that a clear understanding of God's grace and mercy allows believers to experience both sorrow and joy simultaneously. Ultimately, a Christian's greatest joy and mourning occur in the presence of divine love and the hope of glory.
Step 7 on Mourning Which Causes Joy.
By St. John Climacus0PSA 34:18PSA 51:17PSA 126:5PRO 15:13ECC 7:3ISA 53:3MAT 5:4ROM 12:152CO 7:10JAS 4:9St. John Climacus preaches about the importance of mourning, compunction, and repentance as essential steps in the spiritual journey towards God. He emphasizes the need for genuine tears and heartfelt sorrow as a means of cleansing the soul from sin and impurity. St. John Climacus also highlights the dangers of pride, luxury, and distractions that can hinder the path of mourning and lead to spiritual downfall. He encourages believers to cultivate a deep sense of humility, contrition, and constant vigilance in order to experience the transformative power of holy compunction and tears.
Other Men's Sins
By Thomas Brooks0Compassion for the LostMourning for SinPSA 119:136PRO 14:9EZK 18:30MAT 5:4LUK 19:41ROM 12:152CO 1:24GAL 6:1JAS 4:91PE 5:8Thomas Brooks emphasizes that witnessing the sins of others serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent sinfulness within ourselves. He illustrates this through the story of an old man who mourned for others' sins, recognizing that today's sinner could be tomorrow's fall. A holy heart, he argues, should grieve for the sins of others, as this mourning helps to maintain purity and compassion. Brooks warns against those who take pleasure in the sins of others, suggesting that such attitudes align more with Satan than with true humanity. Ultimately, he calls for a deep empathy towards the lost, urging believers to weep for the chains of sin that bind them.
An Inquiry After Truth and Righteousness, and After the People, &C.
By Isaac Penington0PSA 51:17JER 31:13LAM 5:15EZK 9:4MAT 5:4ROM 8:23JAS 4:9REV 18:7REV 21:4Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 34478 preaches on the significance of mourning over sin, emphasizing the need for genuine confession, repentance, and sorrow. The preacher highlights that true mourning involves a deep sense of grief over personal and societal sins, leading to a broken spirit and a contrite heart before God. Various biblical figures and theologians are referenced to illustrate the importance of mourning over sin as a pathway to repentance, sanctification, and ultimately, glorification in the presence of the Lord.
Holy Joy and Godly Sorrow
By Thomas Brooks0Joy in SorrowThe Nature of GracePSA 30:5ROM 12:152CO 7:10JAS 4:9Thomas Brooks emphasizes that holy joy and godly sorrow coexist harmoniously in the life of a believer. He illustrates that a godly person often experiences deep sorrow for sin while simultaneously possessing profound joy in their relationship with God. This duality enriches the believer's spiritual life, as true joy is often rooted in the recognition of one's sinfulness and the grace of God. Brooks asserts that the heart that weeps for sin is the same heart that rejoices in God's mercy, highlighting the interconnectedness of grief and joy in the Christian experience.
Hindrances to Revival: Fear of Emotion
By J. Edwin Orr0RevivalEmotional ExpressionPSA 51:17ISA 61:3MAT 5:4LUK 19:10JHN 16:20ACT 2:17ROM 12:152CO 7:10GAL 5:22JAS 4:9J. Edwin Orr addresses the fear of emotional displays in the context of revival, arguing that genuine emotional responses are often a sign of the Holy Spirit's work. He critiques the tendency of some preachers to suppress emotions for fear of being led astray, emphasizing that true revival is accompanied by emotional reactions such as weeping and joy. Orr asserts that an effective appeal must engage the intellect, conscience, and emotions, and that emotional responses should not be dismissed as mere hysteria. He shares personal experiences and testimonies that illustrate the power of God working through emotional expressions during revival. Ultimately, he encourages believers to embrace emotions as a natural response to God's conviction and grace.
An Enrollment of Our Names in Heaven —The Noblest Source of Joy
By Samuel Davies0JOL 2:12MAT 6:19LUK 6:24LUK 10:17PHP 4:4JAS 4:9Samuel Davies preaches about the joy of having our names written in heaven, emphasizing that this surpasses all other sources of joy. He highlights the importance of heavenly citizenship and the distinguishing characteristics of those whose names are written in heaven. Davies urges self-examination and the pursuit of a saving interest in heaven, pointing out that this is the ultimate cause of joy. He contrasts the joy of those with their names in heaven with the lack of true joy for those whose names are not recorded there, emphasizing the futility of finding lasting joy in earthly possessions and circumstances.
Apart
By C.H. Spurgeon0RepentancePersonal Mourning for SinPSA 51:17ISA 57:15ZEC 12:10MAT 5:4LUK 13:3ACT 3:19ROM 2:42CO 7:10JAS 4:91JN 1:9C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that true repentance is deeply personal and always accompanied by sorrow for sin. He argues against the modern notion that repentance is merely a change of mind, asserting that it involves a profound transformation of the heart and a genuine mourning for past sins. Spurgeon highlights the necessity of individual acknowledgment of sin, stating that true penitence cannot be communal but must be experienced apart, as each person must confront their own guilt before God. He illustrates this with biblical references, particularly from Zechariah, stressing that each family and individual must mourn separately for their sins. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a personal and sincere confession to God, urging believers to seek forgiveness through Christ alone.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Be afflicted, and mourn - Without true and deep repentance ye cannot expect the mercy of God. Let your laughter be turned to mourning - It appears most evidently that many of those to whom St. James addressed this epistle had lived a very irregular and dissolute life. He had already spoken of their lust, and pleasures, and he had called them adulterers and adulteresses; and perhaps they were so in the grossest sense of the words. He speaks here of their laughter and their joy; and all the terms taken together show that a dissolute life is intended. What a strange view must he have of the nature of primitive Christianity, who can suppose that these words can possibly have been addressed to people professing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who were few in number, without wealth or consequence, and were persecuted and oppressed both by their brethren the Jews and by the Romans!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Be afflicted--literally, "Endure misery," that is, mourn over your wretchedness through sin. Repent with deep sorrow instead of your present laughter. A blessed mourning. Contrast Isa 22:12-13; Luk 6:25. James does not add here, as in Jam 5:1, "howl," where he foretells the doom of the impenitent at the coming destruction of Jerusalem. heaviness--literally, "falling of the countenance," casting down of the eyes.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep,.... Not in a bare external way; not by afflicting the body with fastings and scourgings, by renting of garments, and clothing with sackcloth, and putting ashes on the head, and other such outward methods of humiliation; but afflicting the soul is meant, an inward mourning and weeping over the plague of the heart, the impurity of nature, and the various sins of life; after a godly sort, and because contrary to a God of infinite love and grace; in an evangelical way, looking to Jesus, and being affected with the pardoning grace and love of God in Christ. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness; meaning their carnal joy, on account of their friendship with the world, and their enjoyment of the things of it, since they consumed them on their lusts, and which betrayed enmity to God.