John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. A double minded man , etc.] A man of two souls, or of a double heart, that speaks and asks with an heart, and an heart, as in ( Psalm 12:2) who halts between two opinions, and is at an uncertainty what to do or say, and is undetermined what to ask for; or who is not sincere and upright in his requests, who asks for one thing, and means another, and asks amiss, and with an ill design; does not call upon God in truth, and in the sincerity of his soul; draws nigh to him with his mouth, and honours him with his lips, but his heart is far from him. Such an one is unstable in all his ways ; he is confused in his mind; restless in his thoughts, unsettled in his designs and intentions; inconstant in his petitions; uncertain in his notions and opinion of things; and very variable in his actions, and especially in matters of religion; he is always changing, and never at a point, but at a continual uncertainty, both in a way of thinking and doing: he never continues long either in an opinion, or in a practice, but is ever shifting and moving.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercise are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighte our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whateve is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And wh does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is something in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it shall be given. A mind that has single an prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keep steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, wil continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there wil be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expos men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. N condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of lo degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heir of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humblin providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoic in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God not from perishing enjoyments.
Greek Textus Receptus
ανηρ 435 N-NSM διψυχος 1374 A-NSM ακαταστατος 182 A-NSM εν 1722 PREP πασαις 3956 A-DPF ταις 3588 T-DPF οδοις 3598 N-DPF αυτου 846 P-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. A double-minded man is unstable, etc. The A.V. puts this as an independent apophthegm, which is wrong. The sentence is a comment and enlargement upon that man. " Let not that man think," etc., "a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways." So Rev.Double-minded (diyucov). Peculiar to James, here and ch. iv. 8. Not deceitful, but dubious and undecided.
Unstable (akatastatov). Only here in New Testament. The kindred ajkatastasia, confusion, is found ch. iii. 16, and elsewhere.
