James 4:2-3 New International Version 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Full Answer
What does James 4 3 mean in the Bible?
What does James 4:3 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑] In the previous two verses, James scolded his Christian readers for living according to the destructive wisdom of the world. They are allowing themselves to be driven by envy and ambition. This does not reflect a trust in God to provide all they needed and much more.
What is the meaning of James 4 1 12?
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world's wisdom has led to great conflict among James's Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery.
What does James write about in Chapter 4 of James?
James wrote to believers who seemed to have quite a few problems with their behavior. The one he addresses at the beginning of chapter 4 has to do with their desire to get things. James 4:1–3: “What causes fights and quarrels among you?
What is the Adam Clarke Commentary on James 4?
"Commentary on James 4:2". "The Adam Clarke Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/james-4.html. 1832. Continuing his teaching on the evil results of worldly attitudes, James explains why fights and quarrels occur. Selfish ambition fights against the more spiritual motives.
What does James 4 3 mean in the Bible?
Biblical Translations of James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. NLT. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
What is the meaning of James 4?
James is talking about being humble before God, and being humble means avoiding presumptuous behavior. In his illustration, James portrays a traveling merchant planning out their travel for future markets. There is nothing wrong with planning, but James warns against presuming our futures.
What is the meaning of Ask and it shall be given?
This passage suggests that God will give whatever is needed to those who have the faith to ask for it.
What does the Scripture mean you have not because you ask not?
0:331:42You Have Not Because You Ask Not | Joyce Meyer Ministries - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the simple. Answer is you have not because you ask. Nothing. If there's anything you want youMoreAnd the simple. Answer is you have not because you ask. Nothing. If there's anything you want you ask God for it.
What does James 4 say in the Bible?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
Who was James addressing in James 4?
James the Apostle, abbreviation James, New Testament writing addressed to the early Christian churches (“to the twelve tribes in the dispersion”) and attributed to James, a Christian Jew, whose identity is disputed.
What is the meaning of the first shall be last and the last shall be first?
In a general sense, “the first” are the privileged, prestigious, and selfish who get ahead in this life while defying God's commandments. But they will receive condemnation in the life to come. “The last,” though rejected by the world, will receive a great reward in heaven.
How do you ask God for something specific?
To ask God for something, first praise Him and thank Him for all the good things in your life to show your gratitude. Then, be honest about what you want and why you want it. For example, say something like, “Lord, I've been selfish recently and it's affecting my family.
What ever you ask in prayer believe and you will receive?
The scripture verse on this Bible is "Whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it, and it will be yours, Mark 11:24.
What the Bible says about asking God for things?
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When 2 or more are gathered in my name?
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:19–20.) Prayer, then, is the vehicle whereby we invite His Spirit to be with us.
What do you have that you did not receive meaning?
It's easy to take pride in what we have earned or the talents we possess. We naturally take ownership of our accomplishments. But, the reality is God is our Creator and provides us with life and the tools to succeed.
What does James 4:1-12 mean?
You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.". James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world's wisdom has led to great conflict among James's Christian readers.
What does the Bible say about jealousy?
You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.". James 4:2, CSB: "You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war.
Why did James and James fight?
They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It's ''cheating'' on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God's grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
What does the Bible say about coveting?
You covet but you cannot get what you want , so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.". James 4:2, ESV: "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.".
Verse Thoughts
So much in Scripture points to right thinking. We are to take every thought captive to Christ. We are to let His mind dwell in us richly. We are to have this same attitude in ourselves that was in Christ Jesus. We are to look to the Lord Jesus as our example in selfless humility.
My Prayer
Loving Father I do want to pray aright and to pray into Your perfect will.
What does James 4 say about asking God for something?
James 4 does not really address those larger issues. It simply says that, if there is something we want, we need to ask God for it, instead of resorting to ungodly means. It stands to reason that there are some things that we will not get unless we ask for them, but, if we ask, we will receive them. So, if there is something that we want, we need ...
What does James write about?
James wrote to believers who seemed to have quite a few problems with their behavior. The one he addresses at the beginning of chapter 4 has to do with their desire to get things.
When you ask God for something, do you receive?
Likewise, when we ask God for something, He reserves the right to do what is best for us. James 4:3 brings up another situation where God may not grant our requests: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”. So, while it is better to ask God for things ...
Adam Clarke Commentary
Verse James 4:2. Ye lust, and have not — Ye are ever covetous, and ever poor.
Bridgeway Bible Commentary
Continuing his teaching on the evil results of worldly attitudes, James explains why fights and quarrels occur. Selfish ambition fights against the more spiritual motives. Some Christians are constantly looking for more power, increased possessions and higher status. Because they want the wrong things, they do not pray.
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible
Ye lust, and have not - That is, you wish to have something which you do not now possess, and to which you have no just claim, and this prompts to the effort to obtain it by force. You desire extension of territory, fame, booty, the means of luxurious indulgence, or of magnificence and grandeur, and this leads to contest and bloodshed.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
2 Ye lust, or covet, and have not. He seems to intimate that the soul of man is insatiable, when he indulges wicked lusts; and truly it is so; for he who suffers his sinful propensities to rule uncontrolled, will know no end to his lust. Were even the world given to him, he would wish other worlds to be created for him.
Chuck Smith Bible Commentary
Chapter 4 This chapter could be entitled how to win friends and influence people. Guard your tongue, bring your tongue under control, use it for good, use it to encourage to build up, don't use it to tear down, to destroy, to cut, to hurt.
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable
"James 4 continues the same topic of strife, and addresses now not only the teachers of James 3:14 but also the rest of the brotherhood who are in similar sin: strife springs from within (James 4:1-3) and is fostered by worldliness; love of the world and love of God cannot coexist (James 4:4-6); Christians must resist the devil and draw near to God (James 4:7-10)." [Note: Adamson, p.
What does 4:1-10 mean?
4:1-10 Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God.
Why was their attempt to convert the Gentiles to Judaism commendable?
So far their attempt was commendable, because, by converting the Gentiles to Judaism, they prepared them for receiving the gospel; and if for this they had asked the blessing of God sincerely, they might have been successful in their purpose.”. Ye ask, &c.
Explanation and Commentary of James 4:3
It is truly a profound privilege to be able to approach the throne of God with boldness and ask him things and for help (Heb 4:6). We are told in many places that not only does God allow it, he likes for us to depend upon him in this way.
Biblical Translations of James 4:3
NIV When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.