James 4:9

“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep, etc.] Not in a bare external way; not by afflicting the body with fastings and scourgings, by renting of garments, and clothing with sackcloth, and putting ashes on the head, and other such outward methods of humiliation; but afflicting the soul is meant, an inward mourning and weeping over the plague of the heart, the impurity of nature, and the various sins of life; after a godly sort, and because contrary to a God of infinite love and grace; in an evangelical way, looking to Jesus, and being affected with the pardoning grace and love of God in Christ. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness; meaning their carnal joy, on account…”

“Be afflicted--literally, "Endure misery," that is, mourn over your wretchedness through sin. Repent with deep sorrow instead of your present laughter. A blessed mourning. Contrast Isa 22:12-13; Luk 6:25. James does not add here, as in Jam 5:1, "howl," where he foretells the doom of the impenitent at the coming destruction of Jerusalem. heaviness--literally, "falling of the countenance," casting down of the eyes.”

“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep - That is, evidently, on account of your sins. The sins to which the apostle refers are those which he had specified in the previous part of the chapter, and which he had spoken of as so evil in their nature, and so dangerous in their tendency. The word rendered “be afflicted” means, properly, to endure toil or hardship; then to endure affliction or distress; and here means, that they were to afflict themselves - that is, they were to feel distressed and sad on account of their transgressions. Compare Ezra 8:21. The other words in this clause are those which are expressive of deep grief or sorrow. The language here used shows that the apostle supposed that…”

“Be afflicted - For your past unfaithfulness to God. James 4:11”

“afflicted: Jam 5:1, Jam 5:2; Psa 119:67, Psa 119:71, Psa 119:136, Psa 126:5, Psa 126:6; Ecc 7:2-5; Isa 22:12, Isa 22:13; Jer 31:9, Jer 31:13, Jer 31:18-20; Eze 7:16, Eze 16:63; Zac 12:10-14; Mat 5:4; Luk 6:21; Co2 7:10, Co2 7:11 let: Job 30:31; Pro 14:13; Ecc 2:2, Ecc 7:6; Lam 5:15; Luk 6:25, Luk 16:25; Rev 18:7, Rev 18:8 James 4:10”