James 4:4

Verse 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses.

The word "adulteresses" does not occur in the Syriac, neither does it appear in the Latin Vulgate. Singular to say, the word "adulterers" does not appear in Rotherham, nor yet in the Revised Version. The argument, however, loses none of its force in consequence of the absence of either of the words. While I freely admit that the term "adultery" in Scripture is frequently employed to designate idolatry, which is spiritual adultery, I can not accept that signification here. The argument of the apostle excludes it. The history of this people since their return from Babylon is opposed to such a thought, and the zealous devotion of the Jews to Mosaism, and their consequent crusade against idolatry, forever forbids any such conclusion. The appellations are, therefore, applied to those Jews because of their indulgence in the vices of the nations around them. That this is the sense becomes apparent by what follows in this verse .

Know ye not that the friendship?

By participating in the same vices indulged in by the world, you may form friendships thereby. This may be, and no doubt is, true. But you ought to know from the teaching you have received, and the lessons you have learned, that such friendships love of the world is hostility toward God.

Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world.

Whosoever is a friend to the one is the enemy to the other. It is God, with all his goodness and love, on the one side, and the world of wickedness on the other. The dividing line is clearly, plainly and sharply drawn. The Savior said: "Ye can not serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13). If you are a friend to the world, and this you prove by partaking of the vices of the world, you thereby demonstrate that you are the enemy of God, although you may at the same time make the specious pretense that your aim was to convert to Judaism, a religion which was God-ordained. This will not do. You were not so taught. You must be controlled by God's direction. Your will must be subject to the will and direction of God. You can not serve two masters at one and the same time.