James 4:2

You crave, yet do not obtain. You murder and rage, yet cannot gain your end. You quarrel and fight. You do not obtain, because you do not ask.

Twentieth Century New Testament

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 quarrelling that goes on among you? Is not 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 upon your pleasures.

Read all of James 4

Cross References

Luke 11:9And so I say to you — Ask, and your prayer shall be granted: search, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall 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 one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask wisdom from the God who gives freely to every one without reproaches, 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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