James 4:8

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, etc.] This must be understood consistently with the perfection of God's immensity and omnipresence: the saints draw nigh to God when they present their bodies in his sanctuary; when they tread in his courts, and attend his ordinances; where they always find it good for them to draw nigh unto him; and blessed is the man that approaches to him in faith and fear: they draw nigh to him when they come to the throne of his grace, for grace and mercy to help them; when they draw near to him in prayer with true hearts, and lift them up with their hands to God; when in the exercise of faith and hope they enter within the vail, and come up even to his…”

“Draw nigh to God--So "cleave unto Him," Deu 30:20, namely, by prayerfully (Jam 4:2-3) "resisting Satan," who would oppose our access to God. he will draw nigh--propitious. Cleanse . . . hands--the outward instruments of action. None but the clean-handed can ascend into the hill of the Lord (justified through Christ, who alone was perfectly so, and as such "ascended" thither). purify . . . hearts--literally "make chaste" of your spiritual adultery (Jam 4:4, that is, worldliness) "your hearts": the inward source of all impurity. double-minded--divided between God and the world. The "double-minded" is at fault in heart; the sinner in his hands likewise.”

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you - Compare 2 Chronicles 15:2. This declaration contains a great and important principle in religion. If we wish the favor of God, we must come to him; nor can we hope for his mercy, unless we approach him and ask him for it. We cannot come literally any nearer to God than we always are, for he is always round about us; but we may come nearer in a spiritual sense. We may address him directly in prayer; we may approach him by meditation on his character; we may draw near to him in the ordinances of religion. We can never hope for his favor while we prefer to remain at a distance from him; none who in fact draw near to him will find him unwilling to…”

“Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil. And purify your hearts - From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon. James 4:9”

“4:8 Come close to God: This is the language of friendship (2:23) and loyalty (1:6-8). • Wash your hands . . . purify your hearts: The language of ceremonial cleansing is applied to the inner purity of one’s intentions (cp. Mark 7:1-23).”

“Draw nigh to God: Gen 18:23; Ch1 28:9; Ch2 15:2; Psa 73:28, Psa 145:18; Isa 29:13, Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Hos 6:1, Hos 6:2; Zac 1:3; Mal 3:7; Heb 7:19, Heb 10:22 Cleanse: Job 9:30, Job 16:17, Job 17:9; Psa 18:20, Psa 24:4, Psa 26:6, Psa 73:13; Isa 1:15, Isa 1:16, Isa 13:15; Mat 15:2, Mat 27:24; Ti1 2:8; Pe1 3:21 purify: Psa 51:6, Psa 51:7, Psa 51:10; Jer 4:11; Eze 18:31, Eze 36:25-27; Mat 12:33, Mat 23:25, Mat 23:26; Luk 11:39, Luk 11:40; Act 15:9; Co2 7:1; Pe1 1:22; Jo1 3:3 ye double: Jam 1:8 James 4:9”