James 4:2
You desire, and you do not have. You kill and covet, and you are not able to obtain. You fight and quarrel. You do not possess because you do not ask.
Unlocked Literal Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
3You ask and do not receive because you ask badly, in order that you may use it for your desires.
Cross References
1 Kings 21:6He replied to her, “I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard to be yours.' Then he answered me, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'”
Ecclesiastes 4:8There is the kind of man who is alone. 2 He does not have anyone, no son or brother. 1 There is no end to all his work, 2 and his eyes are not satisfied with gaining wealth. 1 He wonders, “For whom am I toiling 2 and depriving myself of pleasure?” 1 This also is vapor, a bad situation. 1
Habakkuk 2:5For wine is a betrayer of the arrogant young man so that he will not abide, 1 but enlarges his desire like the grave and, like death, is never satisfied. 1 He gathers to himself every nation and gathers up for himself all of the peoples. 1
Luke 11:9I also say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
John 16:24Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive so that your joy will be fulfilled.
James 1:5But if any of you needs wisdom, let him ask for it from God, the one who gives generously and without rebuke to all who ask, and he will give it 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 →