James 1:8

New Testament

5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. 9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. 10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. 11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away.

Didache 4:4

Patristic

3 Don't seek division but reconcile those in conflict. Make fair judgments; don't show favoritism when correcting wrongs. 4 Don't be double-minded about whether something should be or not. 5 Don't be someone who is eager to receive but reluctant to give. 6 Give a portion of what you've earned with your hands as a ransom for your sins. 7 Don't hesitate to give, nor complain when you do, for you'll know who rewards you well.

 Notes and References

"... One of the most frequent phrases in The Shepherd of Hermas is the Greek adjective δἰψυχος (“doublemindedness”). While the adjective occurs nineteen times, its cognate verb διψυχεῑν (“to be doublemindend”) occurs twenty times and the substantive διψυχἰα (“doubleminded”) occurs in as many as sixteen times. Indeed, the number of the occurrences of this term in The Shepherd is staggering, given the fact that the term occurs only ten times in all the other early Christian writings combined up to this time (that is, in Jas 1:8; 4:8, Did. 4.4; Bar. 19.5; 1 Clem. 11.2; 23.2-3, 2 Clem. 11:2; 23.5; 19.2) ... (as Bauchkam notes, “It may be noted that in Vision IV δίψυχος is closer to its meaning in Jas 1,8 and in the prophetic sayings quoted in 1 Clem 23.2 and 2 Clem 11.2 than is usual in Hermas: the danger of becoming doubleminded, i.e. of wavering in faith under the threat of persecution ..."

Mutie, Jeremiah The Identity of the Διψυχος in the Shepherd of Hermas (pp. 1-18) Faculty Publications and Presentations, 2011

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