James 4:6 (DRB)

Passage

But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

Nearby Context

James 4:4 Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world becometh an enemy of God.

James 4:5 Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you?

James 4:6 But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

James 4:7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil: and he will fly from you.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God: and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "grace", "giveth", "greater", "wherefore", "saith", "resisteth", and "proud". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "grace" and "giveth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 5's "Or do you think that the scripture..." into verse 7's "Be subject therefore to God But resist...", so "grace" and "giveth" belong inside that flow. In James context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "grace" and "giveth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.