‏ James 1:8

 Man ( ανηρ ). Instead of  ανθρωπος (general term) in verse 7, perhaps for variety (Ropes), but often in James (1:12, 23; 2:2; 3:2), though in other Epistles usually in distinction from  γυνη (woman).

 Double-minded ( διψυχος ). First appearance of this compound known and in N.T. only here and 4:8. Apparently coined by James, but copied often in early Christian writings and so an argument for the early date of James' Epistle (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary). From  δις twice and  ψυχη soul, double-souled, double-minded, Bunyan's "Mr. Facing-both-ways." Cf. the rebuke to Peter ( εδιστασας ) in Mt 14:31.

 Unstable ( ακαταστατος ). Late double compound (alpha privative and  καταστατος verbal from  καθιστημ ), in LXX once (Is 54:11) and in Polybius, in N.T. only here and 3:8. It means unsteady, fickle, staggering, reeling like a drunken man. Surely to James such "doubt" is no mark of intellectuality.

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