Friendship with God vs Enemies of the Cross
James declares that "the friendship of the world is enmity with God" and that whoever chooses to be a friend of the world "is shown to be an enemy of God" [1]. This stark binary frames a central tension in Christian ethics: allegiance to God excludes allegiance to the world system opposed to him. The concept of enmity here denotes deep-rooted hatred [2], a posture fundamentally incompatible with friendship.
Biblical Foundations of Friendship with God
Scripture presents friendship with God as the highest relational possibility. Both Abraham and Moses bore this title—Abraham as "friend of God" and Moses as one with whom the Lord spoke "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" [8]. Jesus extends this designation to his disciples: "You are my friends if you do what I command you" [8]. This friendship is not presumptuous familiarity but covenantal intimacy grounded in obedience. The name Theophilus itself means "friend of God" [5], suggesting that this relationship was a recognized category in early Christian thought.
The Nature of Enmity
Enmity against God manifests in multiple forms. Paul identifies "the carnal mind" as inherently hostile to God (Romans 8:7) [2]. The Mosaic law, with its "commandments contained in ordinances," functioned as a "middle wall of partition" that expressed both God's wrath against sin and humanity's enmity toward him [6]. Christ's death dismantled this barrier, reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to God and to each other [7]. Reconciliation involves a mutual change—sinners cease their enmity through transformed character, yielding "full confidence and love" to God [3].
Enemies of the Cross
Paul warns of those who live as "enemies of the cross of Christ" (Philippians 3:18). Commentators identify several possible referents: Jewish Christians whose emphasis on circumcision contradicted the cross's sufficiency, pseudo-believers living immorally, or professing Christians who rejected Paul's cross-centered gospel [9, 10]. The crucifixion itself was "scandalous and offensive to many" [9], making the cross a dividing line between true and false allegiance.
The world's hostility toward believers mirrors Cain's hatred of Abel [11]. Yet Christians are commanded to love enemies, pray for them, and assist them [4]—not because enmity is trivial, but because God's reconciling work transforms enemies into friends through the cross.
Sources
- James “James 4:4 (LITV) — Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever, then, purposes to be a friend of the world is shown to be an enemy of God.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Enmity — Deep-rooted hatred. "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed" (Gen. 3:15). The friendship of the world is "enmity with God" (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16). The "carnal mind" is "enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). By the abrogation of the Mosaic institutes the "enmity" between Jew and Gentile is removed. They are reconciled, are "made one" (Eph. 2:15, 16).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Theophilus — friend of God”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:15: Rather, make "enmity" an apposition to "the middle wall of partition"; "Hath broken down the middle wall of partition (not merely as English Version, 'between us,' but also between all men and God), to wit, the enmity (Rom 8:7) by His flesh" (compare Eph 2:16; Rom 8:3). the law of commandments contained in--Greek, "the law of the commandments (consisting) in ordinances." This law was "the partition" or "fence," which embodied the expression of the "enmity" (the "wrath" of God against our sin, and our enmity to Him, Eph 2:3) (Rom 4:15; Rom 5:20; Ro”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:16: 2:16 Christ’s death on the cross reconciles humans to God, and also Jews and Gentiles to each other.”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:14: 15:14-16 Both Abraham and Moses were called friends of God (Exod 33:11; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23). This is the highest relationship possible between God and a person. Jesus chooses his friends (John 15:16), who demonstrate their friendship by obeying him.”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 3:18: 3:18 The identity of the enemies is not known; they might have been (1) Jews or Jewish Christians proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19); or (3) professing believers who had rejected Paul’s cross-centered view of the Good News. Christ’s crucifixion as a criminal was scandalous and offensive to many (see 1 Cor 1:23; cp. Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:8).”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 3:18: 3:18 The identity of the enemies is not known; they might have been (1) Jews or Jewish Christians proud of their circumcision (as in 3:2), whose emphasis on observant Judaism contradicted the cross of Christ; (2) pseudo-believers living a worldly, immoral life (cp. 3:19); or (3) professing believers who had rejected Paul’s cross-centered view of the Good News. Christ’s crucifixion as a criminal was scandalous and offensive to many (see 1 Cor 1:23; cp. Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:8).”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 3:13: Marvel not - if the world hate you - Expect no better treatment from unconverted Jews and Gentiles than Abel received from his wicked and cruel brother. This was a lesson to the Church, preparatory to martyrdom. Expect neither justice nor mercy from the men who are enemies of God. They are either full of malice and envy, hateful, hating one another, or they are specious, hollow, false, and deceitful. "A foe to God was ne'er true friend to Man."”