James 4 2

James 4:2 kjv

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.

James 4:2 nkjv

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

James 4:2 niv

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.

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.

James 4:2 nlt

You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. 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 verses

James 4 2 Meaning

James 4:2 profoundly illustrates the progression of sin originating from unfulfilled, worldly desires within believers. It describes how inner craving and ambition (lusting/coveting) lead to sinful, often aggressive, actions (murder, fighting, quarreling) when those desires are not met. The core message reveals a paradox: individuals engage in destructive behaviors in their pursuit of worldly gains, yet they ultimately fail to obtain what they desire because they bypass seeking God through prayer. The verse emphasizes that true provision and satisfaction come not from carnal striving, but from humbly asking the Creator.

James 4 2 Context

James chapter 4 opens by asking the critical question in verse 1: "Where do wars and fights come from among you?" This immediately establishes the backdrop of discord and conflict within the believing community. Verse 2 answers this question by detailing the process of these conflicts, stating they originate from unchecked, fleshly desires. James consistently addresses the practical outworking of faith, emphasizing that true belief impacts behavior. The epistle generally focuses on wisdom, humility, the use of the tongue, and how one treats others, particularly the poor, providing a strong moral compass against worldliness. The historical context is likely a dispersed Jewish Christian community facing internal strife, possibly influenced by a desire for status or material gain, reflecting common challenges of the early church attempting to live out the faith in a world full of ungodly ambitions.

James 4 2 Word analysis

• You lust (ἐπιθυμέω - epithymeō): Refers to strong, intense desires or cravings, often implying an inordinate or unholy desire. While it can be neutral, in the New Testament it frequently denotes a covetous or sinful longing for things that one should not possess, highlighting an internal state of yearning that fuels wrong actions.
• and do not have: The direct consequence of seeking satisfaction through unholy desires and means. It highlights a frustrating state of unfulfilled yearning, despite the internal turmoil or external strife.
• You murder (φονεύετε - phoneuete): A very strong verb indicating taking life. In the context of a believing community, it's often understood in a figurative sense, implying deep-seated hatred, destructive anger, or malicious intent that "kills" relationships, reputation, or unity within the body. However, given James' direct language, it may also imply desires so extreme they could lead to literal violence, or spiritual violence that devastates lives, like character assassination or wishing ill on another.
• and covet (ζηλοῦτε - zēloute): Meaning to be zealous for something, but here used negatively, implying strong envy or jealousy. This is a fervent desire to possess what another has, often coupled with resentment or bitterness, leading to schemes to obtain it, justly or unjustly.
• and cannot obtain: Emphasizes the futility of these sinful efforts. Despite the intense desire, the malicious intent, and the jealous pursuit, the desired object remains elusive. This highlights that ungodly means do not lead to God's blessing or true satisfaction.
• You fight and war (μάχεσθε καὶ πολεμεῖτε - machesthe kai polemeite): These verbs describe overt, aggressive conflict and quarrels, whether physical altercations, bitter arguments, or deep-seated factions within the community. They are the external manifestations of the inner lusts and hatreds mentioned earlier, reflecting a community in disarray.
• Yet you do not have because you do not ask (καὶ οὐκ ἔχετε διὰ τὸ μὴ αἰτεῖσθαι ὑμᾶς): This phrase identifies the core reason for their continued lack despite all their striving and destructive behavior. Their desires remain unfulfilled not because God is unwilling to give, but because they have failed to seek Him humbly in prayer (αἰτεῖσθαι - aiteisthai), instead relying on their own sinful methods. It underscores the spiritual bypass they have taken.

James 4 2 Bonus section

The irony in this verse is profound: the very acts (lust, murder, coveting, fighting) they commit to obtain their desires are precisely what prevent them from truly having. Their pursuit is misdirected, seeking provision from a fallen world rather than from the omnipotent, generous Father. This also sets up the next verse, James 4:3, which addresses the quality of asking, showing that even if one does ask, if their motives are wrong ("that you may spend it on your pleasures"), they still won't receive. Thus, James 4:2 establishes that one doesn't have because one doesn't ask, while 4:3 qualifies that true asking involves right motives.

James 4 2 Commentary

James 4:2 unmasks the true origin of conflict and lack: it is not external circumstances but internal, unchecked desires. The verse paints a stark picture of people so consumed by their "lusts" (inordinate desires) that they resort to extreme sinful actions, from "murder" (perhaps indicating deep-seated hatred or intent to harm through words/actions) to "coveting" and "fighting," all in a futile attempt to gain what they want. Despite these intense efforts, they fail to obtain their desires. James then delivers the crucial insight: their failure is due to not "asking" God. This reveals a critical spiritual principle: instead of seeking God for their needs and desires (which must be aligned with His will, as seen in Jas 4:3), they pursue worldly gratification through sinful means, severing themselves from the divine source of provision. The verse highlights the irony and self-inflicted misery of relying on sinful striving rather than on God's grace and prayer. For instance, an individual desiring a position of power in a church might resort to slandering rivals ("murder" their reputation) or forming factions ("fight and war") instead of humbly praying for God's guidance and seeking to serve according to His will. This pursuit inevitably leaves them unfulfilled.