James 4 5

James 4:5 kjv

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

James 4:5 nkjv

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

James 4:5 niv

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

James 4:5 esv

Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?

James 4:5 nlt

Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.

James 4 verses

James 4 5 Meaning

James 4:5 rhetorically asks whether one truly believes that Scripture's principles regarding God's zealous ownership of the human spirit are meaningless. It then states a profound truth: God intensely yearns with a holy jealousy over the spirit He has caused to dwell within us. This highlights God's demand for exclusive devotion from humanity, condemning any divided loyalty or friendship with the world as spiritual adultery against Him.

James 4 5 Context

James 4:5 is situated in a passionate warning against the internal conflicts and external entanglements that arise from covetous desires and worldliness. Verses 1-4 describe the spiritual adultery of those who pursue pleasure, fight, quarrel, and envy, becoming friends with the world and thereby enemies of God. Verse 5 follows as a powerful, rhetorical confirmation of the gravity of this "friendship with the world." It implies that the reason such actions constitute enmity with God is precisely because He has a zealous claim on the spirit He placed within humanity, demanding its undivided allegiance. The subsequent verses (James 4:6-10) offer hope through God's grace to the humble and a path to repentance: submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, cleanse hands and purify hearts.

James 4 5 Word analysis

• "Or do you think that" (ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι / ē dokeite hoti): A rhetorical question inviting agreement. It challenges the listener's assumption, implying the opposite is true and that the Scriptural truth cannot be dismissed.
• "the Scripture says in vain" (ἡ γραφὴ κενῶς λέγει / hē graphē kenōs legei):
  • "the Scripture" (ἡ γραφὴ / hē graphē): Refers to the Old Testament as the inspired Word of God. The phrase it quotes or alludes to is not found verbatim in a single OT verse, leading to various interpretations (a general summation of OT teaching, a free paraphrase, a lost inspired saying, or an existing proverb combined). However, the principle articulated is deeply rooted in OT theology.
  • "in vain" (κενῶς / kenōs): Meaning "emptily," "uselessly," "without purpose," or "to no effect." The question implies that God's revealed truth is never futile or irrelevant, especially concerning something as fundamental as His nature and claims.
• "He yearns jealously" (Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ / Pros phthonon epipothei):
  • "He yearns" (ἐπιποθεῖ / epipothei): Expresses an intense longing, strong desire, or craving. This reveals God's passionate and profound love for humanity, demonstrating His desire for an unhindered, wholehearted relationship with those He created.
  • "jealously" (Πρὸς φθόνον / Pros phthonon): The noun phthonos typically means "envy" in human contexts, implying begrudging or ill-will towards another's possessions or success. However, when applied to God, particularly in the context of Old Testament covenant theology (where God repeatedly describes Himself as a "jealous God"), it signifies a righteous, holy jealousy. This is not a selfish human emotion but rather God's intense, unyielding commitment to protect what is rightfully His (our exclusive devotion) from spiritual rivals or defilement. It underscores His absolute right to supreme love and loyalty.
• "over the spirit" (τὸ πνεῦμα / to pneuma): Refers to the human spirit—the inner, immaterial part of human beings created by God, the breath of life given by Him (Gen 2:7). It is the faculty capable of communion with God, thought, and moral choice. God's jealousy is directed towards our spirit, indicating His desire that this vital part of us should be entirely devoted to Him and not divided by worldly desires or affections.
• "that he has made to dwell in us" (ὃ κατῴκησεν ἐν ἡμῖν / ho katōkēsen en hēmin): Emphasizes divine creation and divine gift. God is the one who initiated life and endowed us with spirit. Since He is the Giver of this spirit, He has a rightful claim over its devotion and loyalty.

James 4 5 Bonus section

The major interpretive challenge of James 4:5 lies in identifying the direct scriptural source for "the Scripture says..." Scholars offer a few primary explanations:

1. General Thematic Reference: The most widely accepted view is that James is summarizing or alluding to the overarching theme found throughout the Old Testament, where God frequently declares Himself to be a "jealous God" (Exod 20:5, Deut 4:24) who demands exclusive worship and is provoked by idolatry or spiritual unfaithfulness. The concept of God "yearning jealously" over the spirit He gave us encapsulates this pervasive theme.
2. Paraphrase of a Wisdom Saying: Some suggest it might be a loose paraphrase or combination of various wisdom proverbs or principles, reflecting the deep understanding of God's character available through prophetic and sapiential traditions.
3. Emphasis on the Holy Spirit: A less common but notable alternative reading for the latter part of the verse, "Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκησεν ἐν ἡμῖν" (Pros phthonon epipothei to pneuma ho katōkēsen en hēmin), interprets τὸ πνεῦμα as the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers. In this view, it would mean: "The Spirit [Holy Spirit] who dwells in us yearns [or 'lusts'] to envy/against envy [or 'jealousy']." This interpretation suggests that the indwelling Holy Spirit within believers is fiercely desirous of spiritual purity and actively struggles against human envy, worldly lusts, and divided loyalties. However, the first interpretation (human spirit as object of God's jealousy) aligns more directly with the immediate context of humanity's sin and James's preceding statements about spiritual adultery (James 4:4). Both interpretations, though distinct in subject, reinforce the same truth: God (either directly or through His Spirit) demands total allegiance and actively opposes worldly compromise.

James 4 5 Commentary

James 4:5 is a critical theological statement grounding James's strong condemnation of worldliness in the very character of God. The rhetorical question about Scripture not speaking "in vain" reinforces the unshakeable truth of God's claims. He is depicted as deeply passionate, yearning for the undivided devotion of the human spirit which He Himself infused into humanity. This divine "jealousy" is a righteous and pure attribute, reflecting God's commitment to His own holiness and His covenant relationship with His people. It is not an insecurity or petty envy, but a loving zeal for the fidelity of His creation. This verse explains why friendship with the world is spiritual adultery – it provokes the holy jealousy of the God who yearns for exclusive fellowship with the spirit He designed for Himself. The ultimate point is a call to full surrender and loyalty to God.