James 4:3
And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
Berean Standard Bible
In The King James Version
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
In Context
Cross References
Job 27:8For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
Psalms 18:41They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.
Proverbs 1:28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
Proverbs 21:13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
Jeremiah 11:14As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.
Matthew Henry on James 4:2-11
Origin of War and Contention; Against Pride; Submission to God. ( a. d. 61.) 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 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. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever… Read the whole commentary →