James · Chapter 4 · Faith
James 4:7 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
KJV · King James Version
"Submit yourselves5293 therefore3767 to God2316. Resist436 the devil1228, and2532 he will flee5343 from575 you5216."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses submit, yourselves, while the WEB renders these as subject, but. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
James 4:7 in James 4
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is James 4:7 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of James 4. Read the full chapter →
- v.5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”?
- v.6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- v.7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- v.8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- v.9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
Book background
About the Book of James
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- General epistle
- Author
- James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church
- Date written
- c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book)
- Audience
- Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world
- Chapters
- 5
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness.
Setting: Written from Jerusalem in the church's earliest decade.
Key themes: wisdom · works · speech · patience · practical faith
Memorisation aid
How to memorise James 4:7
James 4:7 contains 15 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Be subject therefore to God
BSTTG
- 2
But resist the devil
BRTD
- 3
and he will flee from you.
AHWFFY
Frequently asked
FAQ about James 4:7
What does James 4:7 say?
James 4:7 reads: "Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you." — from the New Testament, James (General epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is James 4:7 in?
James 4:7 is in the book of James, traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church and written around c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book). James is general epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world. Best known for "faith without works is dead".
What is James 4:7 about?
James 4:7 is primarily a Bible verse about Faith. Within James, James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between James 4:7 in WEB and KJV?
James 4:7 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Submit yourselves5293 therefore3767 to God2316. Resist436 the devil1228, and2532 he will flee5343 from575 you5216.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is James 4:7?
James 4:7 is 15 words in the WEB translation (77 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 5 seconds.
How can I memorise James 4:7?
To memorise James 4:7, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does James 4:7 matter in James?
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness. James 4:7 sits within this larger story — James as a whole emphasises wisdom, works, speech.
How can I apply James 4:7 today?
Many readers use James 4:7 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download James 4:7 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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Matthew 6:33
“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Proverbs 3:6
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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Matthew 7:7
““Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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James 5:14-15
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the pra…”
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James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
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James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”
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