(James 4:5, NKJV). This verse is challenging to grasp fully because it is unclear whether the “Spirit” is human spirit or the Holy Spirit. The context of the chapter seems to suggest that the human spirit is the jealous spirit in 4:5. Earlier in the chapter James lambasts the audience for quarreling over earthly things suggesting that they are jealous of one another. Immediately following 4:5 James tells the audience to resist the devil and the God’s grace allows those to fight the temptation suggesting again that the spirit to which he is referring is the Human Spirit of jealousness or envy. According to J. William Johnston, Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminar, “James 4:5 introduces a direct quotation of Proverbs 3:34 that appears in verse 6. This interpretation in turn clarifies the referent of πνεύμα as the human spirit” (Johnston, 2013, pg. 344). By tying it to a specific Old Testament text, Johnston helps to clarify the exact spirit James is referring
(James 4:5, NKJV). This verse is challenging to grasp fully because it is unclear whether the “Spirit” is human spirit or the Holy Spirit. The context of the chapter seems to suggest that the human spirit is the jealous spirit in 4:5. Earlier in the chapter James lambasts the audience for quarreling over earthly things suggesting that they are jealous of one another. Immediately following 4:5 James tells the audience to resist the devil and the God’s grace allows those to fight the temptation suggesting again that the spirit to which he is referring is the Human Spirit of jealousness or envy. According to J. William Johnston, Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminar, “James 4:5 introduces a direct quotation of Proverbs 3:34 that appears in verse 6. This interpretation in turn clarifies the referent of πνεύμα as the human spirit” (Johnston, 2013, pg. 344). By tying it to a specific Old Testament text, Johnston helps to clarify the exact spirit James is referring