James 4 in the early church

164 passages quote, allude to, or echo James 4, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17

James 4:1

What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:11 Clement 46.5 · Clement of Romeecho, medium confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Jas 4:1–2Fragment Z III (on the Epistle of James) · Dionysius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 248–265
Jas 4:1Recognitions 2.36 · Anonymousecho, low confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Jas 4:1Liber Orsiesii 31 · Orsiesiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Jas 4:1Eleven Tractates 5.83 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
Jas 4:1Eleven Tractates 10.131 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
Jas 4:1Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.9.4 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-397
Jas 4:1Poem 6, lines 224–254 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, low confidenceca. 393–431

James 4:3

And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:3–4Sermon 15.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:3Tractates on the Gospel of John 73.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420

James 4:4

You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:4On Dice-Players 8 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence3rd cent. (disputed)
Jas 4:4Refutation of All Heresies 9.15.3 · Hippolytus of Romeecho, low confidenceca. 222–235
Jas 4:4Homily on Luke 35 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 233–250
Jas 4:4Commentary on Romans 4.8 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Jas 4:4Demonstration 2.20 · Aphrahatecho, low confidence337-345
Jas 4:4Apostolic Constitutions 5.4.1 · Anonymousecho, low confidenceca. 380
Jas 4:4Liber Orsiesii 41 · Orsiesiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Jas 4:4Eleven Tractates 4.75 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
Jas 4:4Eleven Tractates 9.122 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
Jas 4:4Eleven Tractates 10.127 · Priscillianquotation, high confidenceca. 380–385
Jas 4:4On True Religion 35 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 389–391
Jas 4:4Sermon 125.11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:4Sermon 142.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:4Sermon 162.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:4Sermon 171.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:4Sermon 385.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:4Letters 1.5 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Jas 4:4Letters 12.7 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Jas 4:4Letters 25.3 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Jas 4:4Confessions 1.21 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:4Tractates on the Gospel of John 79.2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Jas 4:4Tractates on the Gospel of John 101.2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Jas 4:4On the Christian Life 14 · Fastidiusquotation, high confidenceca. 411-430

James 4:6

But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:61 Clement 30.2 · Clement of Romequotation, medium confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Jas 4:6To the Ephesians 5.3 · Ignatius of Antiochquotation, medium confidenceca. 110 (range ca. 105–135)
Jas 4:6Miscellanies 3.6.49 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Jas 4:6Miscellanies 4.17.106 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Jas 4:6Letters to Virgins 1.8.3 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence3rd century
Jas 4:6Fragments on Proverbs, column 169 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Jas 4:6Fragments on Proverbs, column 199 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Jas 4:6PG 12:1587 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Jas 4:6Homilies on Ezekiel 9.2 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Jas 4:6Homilies on Judges 3.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Jas 4:6Against Novatian 13 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceafter 251 (disputed)
Jas 4:6Preparation for the Gospel 11.13.8 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Jas 4:6Life of Constantine 4.10.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, low confidenceca. 337–339
Jas 4:6Long recension, Ephesians 5 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidencelater 4th century (probable)
Jas 4:6Long recension, Hero 5 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidencelater 4th century (probable)
Jas 4:6Oration 4.32 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Jas 4:6Oration 43.54 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Jas 4:6Homilies 20.4 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Jas 4:6Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:12 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Jas 4:6Commentary on Romans 12:16 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–384
Jas 4:6Letter 12.2 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Jas 4:6Letter 76.1 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Jas 4:6Letter 78.25 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Jas 4:6Letter 130.12 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Jas 4:6Apostolic Constitutions 7.5.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Jas 4:6Apostolic Constitutions 8.2.7 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Jas 4:6Exposition of Psalm 118 3.37.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Jas 4:6Exposition of Psalm 118 7.9.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Jas 4:6Letter 55.18 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:6Letter 93.49 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:6Letter 121.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:6Letter 155.2 · Augustine of Hippoecho, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:6Letter 157.10 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:6Homilies on Matthew 65.6 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Jas 4:6Sermon 30.2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 30.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 81.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 131.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 144.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 145.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 150.10 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 156.10 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 270.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 289.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 351.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 351.9 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6Sermon 363.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:6The Lord's Sermon on the Mount 1.11 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 393–396
Jas 4:6Poem 21, lines 458–490 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, medium confidenceca. 393–431
Jas 4:6Poem 24, lines 731–762 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 393–431
Jas 4:6Letters 50.3 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Jas 4:6On Christian Doctrine 3.23 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceBooks 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427
Jas 4:6Confessions 1.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:6Confessions 4.5 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:6Confessions 4.26 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:6Confessions 7.13 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:6Confessions 10.59 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:6Literal Commentary on Genesis 11.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 401–415
Jas 4:6On Holy Virginity 34 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence401
Jas 4:6On Holy Virginity 45 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence401
Jas 4:6On Holy Virginity 54 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence401
Jas 4:6Against Felix the Manichaean 2.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceDecember 404
Jas 4:6Tractates on the Gospel of John 54.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Jas 4:6On the Spirit and the Letter 20 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence412
Jas 4:6On the Spirit and the Letter 66 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence412
Jas 4:6City of God 11.33 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Jas 4:6City of God 17.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Jas 4:6City of God 19.27 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Jas 4:6Letter 15, chapter 3 · Boniface I, bishop of Romeallusion, medium confidence418–422
Jas 4:6The Institutes 12.6 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 419–426
Jas 4:6The Institutes 12.7 · John Cassianallusion, high confidenceca. 419–426
Jas 4:6Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 4.34 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 420–421
Jas 4:6Book 3, section 26 · Seduliusquotation, medium confidenceca. 425-450

James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:7Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 7.2 (37.2) · Hermasecho, medium confidenceca. 100–150
Jas 4:7Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.2.4 (45.4) · Hermasecho, medium confidenceca. 100–150
Jas 4:7Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.7 (47.7) · Hermasallusion, medium confidenceca. 100–150
Jas 4:7Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.5.2 (48.2) · Hermasallusion, medium confidenceca. 100–150
Jas 4:7Homilies on Exodus 3.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Jas 4:7Commentary on Romans 4.8 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Jas 4:7Explanation of Twelve Psalms 40.14.2 · Ambroseecho, low confidenceca. 387-397
Jas 4:7Sermon 22.8 · Augustine of Hippoecho, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:7On Nature and Grace 68 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence415
Jas 4:7On the Grace of Christ and On Original Sin 1.23 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence418
Jas 4:7On the Grace of Christ and On Original Sin 1.44 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence418
Jas 4:7The Conferences 7.8 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

James 4:8

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:8Acts of Peter (Vercelli) 18 · Anonymousecho, medium confidenceca. 180–200
Jas 4:8Commentary on Romans 4.8 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Jas 4:8Oration 16.18 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Jas 4:8Oration 42.22 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Jas 4:8Sermon 279.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:8The Conferences 13.9 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Jas 4:8Letter 1 (= Leo, Ep. 22), chapter 1 · Flavian of Constantinopleallusion, medium confidence448-449

James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:10PG 12:1617 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Jas 4:10Sermon 279.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430

James 4:11

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:11Against Parmenian the Donatist 1.5 · Optatus of Milevisallusion, low confidenceca. 366–385
Jas 4:11Confessions 13.33 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 397–401
Jas 4:11On Grace and Free Will 2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 426
Jas 4:11The Conferences 16.16 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Jas 4:11–12Sermon on the Barbarian Time 1 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 437-450

James 4:12

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:12Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.6.3 (49.3) · Hermasallusion, medium confidenceca. 100–150
Jas 4:12Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9.23.4 (100.4) · Hermasecho, medium confidenceca. 100–150
Jas 4:12On Patience 10 · Tertullianecho, medium confidenceca. 198–206
Jas 4:12Recognitions 10.47 · Anonymousecho, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Jas 4:12Eleven Tractates 5.87 · Priscillianallusion, medium confidenceca. 380–385

James 4:13

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:13–14Letter 22 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 357–378
Jas 4:13Letter 133.7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

James 4:14

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:14Commentary on Daniel 3.6 · Hippolytus of Romeecho, low confidenceca. 202-204
Jas 4:14Oration 7.19 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Jas 4:14Tractates 1.9.2 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, high confidenceca. 362-380
Jas 4:14Letter 133.7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Jas 4:14Letter 56.2 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:14Letter 137.1 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 386–430
Jas 4:14Sermon 19.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:14Sermon 24.5 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:14Sermon 40.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:14Sermon 124.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:14Sermon 302.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:14Sermon 385.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:14Against Faustus the Manichaean 21.5 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Jas 4:14Tractates on the Gospel of John 52.2 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 406–420
Jas 4:14City of God 4.5 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidence413–426
Jas 4:14Commonitorium 2.181–210 · Orientius of Auchecho, low confidenceca. 420-450

James 4:15

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:15Letter 133.7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

James 4:16

As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:16Letter 133.7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

James 4:17

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Jas 4:17On First Principles 1.3.6 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Jas 4:17Divine Institutes 6.5.10 · Lactantiusecho, low confidenceca. 303–311
Jas 4:17On Paradise 36 · Ambroseallusion, low confidenceca. 375-378
Jas 4:17Sermon 249.2 · Augustine of Hippoecho, low confidenceca. 391-430
Jas 4:17Against Jovinianus 2.2 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Jas 4:17Letters 30.3 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, low confidenceca. 394–413
Jas 4:17On Adulterous Marriages 1.9 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 419–421