James 4:2

You crave, yet do not have, so you commit murder, so You covet, yet cannot gain your end. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Open English Bible (US)

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

1What is the cause of the fighting and quarreling that goes on among you? Isn’t it to be found in the desires which are always at war within you?

3You ask, yet do not receive, because you ask for a wrong purpose – to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Read all of James 4

Cross References

Habakkuk 2:5Wealth is treacherous, the arrogant never have enough. They make their desire as wide as Sheol, are like death, unsatisfied, For they gather to themselves all the nations, bring together to themselves all peoples.

Luke 11:9“And so I say to you – Ask, and your prayer will be granted, search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

John 16:24So far you have not asked for anything, in my name; ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

James 1:5If any one of you lacks wisdom, they should ask wisdom from the God who gives freely to everyone without reproach, and it will be given to them.

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 →

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