James 4:2

A Warning against Pride · James 4:1–6
Read James 4

Translations

Modern
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Traditional
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Literal
You desire, and you do not have. You murder and are jealous, and you are not able to obtain. You fight and battle. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Latin
…concupiscitis, et non habetis: occiditis, et zelatis: et non potestis adipisci: litigatis, et belligeratis, et non habetis, propter quod non postulatis.

Interlinear

Greek
English
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Notes

you kill and covet: Killing was the extreme but logical result of their greedy mindset. Some of James's readers might have joined the Jewish Zealot movement and committed murder for their cause. Hostile attitudes and violent methods do not bring satisfaction—you cannot achieve your goals with them.

Theme notes and profiles

James, Brother of Jesus

Glossary

Haggai, Book of Letter of James

Topics

Ambition: Leads to Strife and Contention Ambition: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Anger Management Arguments Asking for Help Covetousness: General Scriptures Concerning Crisis Disagreement Fighting Back God Provides Jealousy Lust: Evil Desire Rumors Self Centeredness Selfish Ambitions Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Spells Strife: General Scriptures Concerning Weariness