4:1-4 Are these believers or unbelievers James is addressing here?

These are believers - Jewish believers who were scattered throughout the region because of persecution (CP 1:1 with Ac 8:1).

James calls them brethren, and beloved brethren (CP Jas 1:2, 16, 19; 2:1, 5, 14; 3:1-10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9-10, 12, 19).

Many in the church think that James is writing to unbelievers in 4:1-4, but to suggest that is to rob the passage of its teaching value for the church. The sad fact is that there are wars and fights among believers when they no longer love and serve one another, but are driven by the desire for more, and jealousy of others. The word kill in V3 (KJV), means murder. It is used figuratively of the anger, jealousy and rivalry believers caught up in evil desires exhibit toward each other (CP Jas 3:14-16 with Ga 5:13-15).

Ga 5:13-15 is a graphic picture of what happens when believers do not love and serve each other. The term adulterers and adulteresses in Jas 4:4 (KJV), is used metaphorically of believers who are spiritually unfaithful to Christ and have become friends of the world (CP Jer 3:20; Ro 8:7-8; 1Jn 2:15-17).

The world in the context of Jas 4:4 and 1Jn 2:15-17 designates all that is hostile, rebellious, and opposed to God (CP Jn 7:7; 15:18-25; 17:14; 1Cor 1:20-21).

The affairs of the world and the affairs of God are diametrically opposed to each other, and believers cannot be a part of the corrupt world system and please God (CP Ro 12:1-2; Jas 1:27).

Friendship with the world means embracing its values, interest and pleasures, all of which God hates (CP Lu 16:13-15).

Neither can believers have close or intimate fellowship with anyone who participates in the corrupt world system (CP 2Cor 6:14-18).

This world is only temporary. It is destined to be destroyed by God and even now it is passing away (CP Isa 13:1-11; Dan 2:34-35, 44; 1Cor 7:31; 2Pe 3:10-13 with 1Jn 2:17).

See also comments on Lu 16:14-15; Jn 15:18-25; Ga 6:14, 2Pe 3:1-7; 1Jn 2:15-17.

James:-