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James 1: Double-minded from May 2013
James: 1: 8
a man two-souled unsettled in all the ways of him
anhr diyucoV akatastatoV en pasaiV taiV odoiV autou
From the May, 2013 article:
T. Carson writes that from James 1: 5-8 wisdom is a great theme of the text and that God does give generously and without finding fault to persons, but they must ask in faith and without doubt otherwise as a doubter one is like a double-minded man (person) unstable, a drunken person, and like a tossing ship in the sea. Carson (1986: 1537).
Barclay adds that a person such as this is as one with two souls, or two minds inside. As if one believes and trusts in God and the other does not. It is as if a civil war is going on inside of such a person. Barclay (1975: 46).
Being double-minded is to have two minds in regard to God. However, for example, if one has terminal cancer and prays for healing through medical intervention and/or supernatural healing, one would likely realize that God probably will not answer the prayer with healing in this life. So this is a form of doubt. But that person demonstrates faith and belief that God could and might provide the healing and that God is benevolent regardless of what God wills, based on his Scripture, related theology and even philosophy. This would not be double-minded thinking. Double-minded thinking would be to not consistently trust in God and turn to God and therefore doubt that God would answer prayer in times of trial, including when one would hypothetically have terminal cancer.
December 19, 2017
Courson writes in regard to James 1: 5-8 that if one lacks wisdom, he/she should ask God in faith, and God will give it to him/her. (1515). It is wise for the person that has a 'civil war' (Barclay) within the spirit/mind to ask God that double-mindedness be set aside, for instead a mind set upon Christ.
This way, when something is requested via prayer (James 4: 3), it is done with Christ-like motives and not from abundantly sinful motives. The believer in the body, has a tainted nature until the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) but can be filled and guided with the Holy Spirit. Courson explains that many do not have his/her prayers answered (4: 3) because prayer should be more concerned with asking for the Lord's will for a life, than requesting a blessed life from human standards. (1527).
Bauer references the use of double-headed people in James 4:8.
δίψυχοi
From Strong's 1374
δίψυχοi δίψυχος, διψυχον (δίς and ψυχή), double-minded.
4: 8
oi
You double-minded. Plural.
1: 8
ος
Double-minded man. Singular.
Both are in the nominative, describing the subject. Adjectives.
Bauer explains that these double-headed and more literally double-minded people stagger helplessly here and there without thoughts of doubt and hesitation (4:8) (201). This is a doubter in James 1: 8 (201).
BARCLAY, WILLIAM (1976) The Letters of James and Peter, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.
CARSON, T. (1986) ‘James’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT (1993) Stuttgart, United Bible Societies.
