James 1:8

“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 (<191202>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;…”

“double-minded--literally, "double-souled," the one soul directed towards God, the other to something else. The Greek favors ALFORD'S translation, "He (the waverer, Jam 1:6) is a man double-minded, unstable," &c.; or better, BEZA'S. The words in this Jam 1:8 are in apposition with "that man," Jam 1:7; thus the "us," which is not in the original, will not need to be supplied, "A man double-minded, unstable in all his ways!" The word for "double-minded" is found here and in Jam 4:8, for the first time in Greek literature. It is not a hypocrite that is meant, but a fickle, "wavering" man, as the context shows. It is opposed to the single eye (Mat 6:22).”

“A double minded man - The word here used, δίψυχος dipsuchos occurs only here and in James 4:8. It means, properly, one who has two souls; then one who is wavering or inconstant. It is applicable to a man who has no settled principles; who is controlled by passion; who is influenced by popular feeling; who is now inclined to one opinion or course of conduct, and now to another. Is unstable in all his ways - That is, not merely in regard to prayer, the point particularly under discussion, but in respect to everything. From the instability which the wavering must evince in regard to prayer, the apostle takes occasion to make the general remark concerning such a man, that stability and firmness…”

“A doubleminded man - Who has, as it were, two souls; whose heart is not simply given up to God. Is unstable - Being without the true wisdom; perpetually disagrees both with himself and others, Jam 3:16. James 1:9”

“1:8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world (literally They are double-minded): James might have created the Greek word used here. He emphasizes the need for confidence in God alone.”

“Jam 4:8; Kg1 18:21; Kg2 17:33, Kg2 17:41; Isa 29:13; Hos 7:8-11, Hos 10:2; Mat 6:22, Mat 6:24; Pe2 2:14, Pe2 3:16 James 1:9”