James 4:2

You desire but do not have. You murder and are jealous but cannot obtain what you want. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask.

Text-Critical English NT

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

1Where do wars and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your passions that wage war among your members?

3You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

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Cross References

Luke 11:9So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.

John 16:24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.

James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.

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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