The Meaning of James 4:2 Explained

James 4:2

KJV: 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.

YLT: ye desire, and ye have not; ye murder, and are zealous, and are not able to attain; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because of your not asking;

Darby: Ye lust and have not: ye kill and are full of envy, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war; ye have not because ye ask not.

ASV: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does James 4:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The ultimate end of lust, desire that a person may or may not satisfy, is murder. We can see this through human history all the way from Cain down to the present (cf. the case of Naboth; 1 Kings 21). James was probably not accusing his readers of murder, though at least one scholar believed he was. [1] He was probably reminding them of the serious ultimate consequences of living merely to satisfy personal desires.
"In the context of forceful words such as polemoi ("wars") and machai ("battles"), it seems better to take phoneuete ("you kill") as hyperbole for hatred. This also resolves the problem of seeming anticlimactic word order. To say "You hate and covet" is a much more natural order than to say "You murder and covet." Furthermore, Matthew 5:21-22 and 1 John 3:15 show that hatred is equal to murder." [2]
Likewise fights and arguments follow when we do not obtain our desires.
"There are indeed few evils in human life that cannot be traced to covetousness and envy in the sense in which we find these words used in this verse. Covetousness does not always lead to possession, envy does not always attain to the position of its rivals-and the inevitable result is conflict and strife." [3]
"This is the condition to which lust consigns it votaries; it disappoints them, and makes them mutual tormentors." [4]
"Unsatisfied desire leads to murder ...; disappointed ambition leads to quarrelling and fighting." [5]
The only way to obtain satisfaction is to ask God to give it. We do not have what God wants us to have because we do not ask Him for these things. [6] This is one of the most important verses in the Bible concerning prayer. There are some things we can have from God that we will not have unless we ask Him for them.

Context Summary

James 4:1-10 - "draw Nigh To God"
The Apostle returns to "the jealousy and faction" of the previous chapter, James 3:14, and says that these evils are traceable to lust, that is, to inordinate desire. The restless inward war is the prolific parent of failure in speech and act. If we would pray more and better, we should soon find the inner fires dying down.
In James 4:5, r.v., margin, we learn that God has placed His Spirit within us, and that He yearns for complete control over our hearts. He can best overcome inordinate desire and teach us how to pray. God wants more of us. His love is insatiable in its yearning for every room and cupboard of our inner life, and He is ever wishful to give more grace.
There are four conditions which we must fulfill, if God is to have full possession:
1.We must be subject to the will of God, James 4:7;
2.We must draw nigh to God, James 4:8;
3.We must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, James 4:8;
4.We must humble ourselves in His sight, James 4:10.
Then God will fill the soul, the sluice gates of which are open to Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: James 4

1  We are to strive against covetousness;
4  intemperance;
5  pride;
11  detraction and rash judgment of others;
13  and not to be boastful of our future plans

Greek Commentary for James 4:2

Ye lust [επιτυμειτε]
Present active indicative of επιτυμεω — epithumeō old word (from επι τυμος — epiπονευετε και ζηλουτε — thumos yearning passion for), not necessarily evil as clearly not in Luke 22:15 of Christ, but usually so in the N.T., as here. Coveting what a man or nation does not have is the cause of war according to James. [source]
Ye kill and covet [πονευω]
Present active indicatives of πονευς — phoneuō (old verb from ζηλοω — phoneus murderer) and πονευετε — zēloō to desire hotly to possess (1 Corinthians 12:31). It is possible (perhaps probable) that a full stop should come after επιτυχειν — phoneuete (ye kill) as the result of lusting and not having. Then we have the second situation: “Ye covet and cannot obtain James refers again to δια — ouk echete (ye do not have) in James 4:2. Such sinful lusting will not obtain. “Make the service of God your supreme end, and then your desires will be such as God can fulfil in answer to your prayer” (Ropes). Cf. Matthew 6:31-33. The reason here is expressed by αιτεω — dia and the accusative of the articular present middle infinitive of υμας — aiteō used here of prayer to God as in Matthew 7:7. αιτειστε — Humās (you) is the accusative of general reference. Note the middle voice here as in αιτεω — aiteisthe in James 4:3. Mayor argues that the middle here, in contrast with the active, carries more the spirit of prayer, but Moulton (Prol., p. 160) regards the distinction between αιτεομαι — aiteō and aiteomai often “an extinct subtlety.” [source]
Ye have not, because ye ask not [ουκ εχετε]
James refers again to δια — ouk echete (ye do not have) in James 4:2. Such sinful lusting will not obtain. “Make the service of God your supreme end, and then your desires will be such as God can fulfil in answer to your prayer” (Ropes). Cf. Matthew 6:31-33. The reason here is expressed by αιτεω — dia and the accusative of the articular present middle infinitive of υμας — aiteō used here of prayer to God as in Matthew 7:7. αιτειστε — Humās (you) is the accusative of general reference. Note the middle voice here as in αιτεω — aiteisthe in James 4:3. Mayor argues that the middle here, in contrast with the active, carries more the spirit of prayer, but Moulton (Prol., p. 160) regards the distinction between αιτεομαι — aiteō and aiteomai often “an extinct subtlety.” [source]
Ye lust []
See on desire, 1 Peter 1:12; and Mark 4:19. [source]
Desire to have [ζηλοῦτε]
Rev., covet, and are jealous, in margin. See on James 3:14. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 4:2

James 4:1 Lusts [ἡδονῶν]
Lit.,pleasures, as Rev. Properly, sensual pleasures. The sinful pleasures are the outgrowths of the lusts, James 4:2. [source]
James 4:2 Ye kill and covet [πονευω]
Present active indicatives of πονευς — phoneuō (old verb from ζηλοω — phoneus murderer) and πονευετε — zēloō to desire hotly to possess (1 Corinthians 12:31). It is possible (perhaps probable) that a full stop should come after επιτυχειν — phoneuete (ye kill) as the result of lusting and not having. Then we have the second situation: “Ye covet and cannot obtain James refers again to δια — ouk echete (ye do not have) in James 4:2. Such sinful lusting will not obtain. “Make the service of God your supreme end, and then your desires will be such as God can fulfil in answer to your prayer” (Ropes). Cf. Matthew 6:31-33. The reason here is expressed by αιτεω — dia and the accusative of the articular present middle infinitive of υμας — aiteō used here of prayer to God as in Matthew 7:7. αιτειστε — Humās (you) is the accusative of general reference. Note the middle voice here as in αιτεω — aiteisthe in James 4:3. Mayor argues that the middle here, in contrast with the active, carries more the spirit of prayer, but Moulton (Prol., p. 160) regards the distinction between αιτεομαι — aiteō and aiteomai often “an extinct subtlety.” [source]
James 4:2 Ye have not, because ye ask not [ουκ εχετε]
James refers again to δια — ouk echete (ye do not have) in James 4:2. Such sinful lusting will not obtain. “Make the service of God your supreme end, and then your desires will be such as God can fulfil in answer to your prayer” (Ropes). Cf. Matthew 6:31-33. The reason here is expressed by αιτεω — dia and the accusative of the articular present middle infinitive of υμας — aiteō used here of prayer to God as in Matthew 7:7. αιτειστε — Humās (you) is the accusative of general reference. Note the middle voice here as in αιτεω — aiteisthe in James 4:3. Mayor argues that the middle here, in contrast with the active, carries more the spirit of prayer, but Moulton (Prol., p. 160) regards the distinction between αιτεομαι — aiteō and aiteomai often “an extinct subtlety.” [source]
James 4:4 Ye adulteresses [μοιχαλιδες]
Μοιχοι και — Moichoi kai (ye adulterers) is spurious (Syrian text only). The feminine form here is a common late word from the masculine μοιχοι — moichoi It is not clear whether the word is to be taken literally here as in Romans 7:3, or figuratively for all unfaithful followers of Christ (like an unfaithful bride), as in 2 Corinthians 11:1.; Ephesians 5:24-28 (the Bride of Christ). Either view makes sense in this context, probably the literal view being more in harmony with the language of James 4:2. In that case James may include more than Christians in his view, though Paul talks plainly to church members about unchastity (Ephesians 5:3-5). [source]
James 5:6 Ye have killed the righteous one [επονευσατε τον δικαιον]
First aorist active indicative of πονευω — phoneuō (James 2:11; James 4:2). “The righteous one” Stephen (Acts 7:52) directly accuses the Sanhedrin with being betrayers and murderers It is possible to treat this as a question. Present middle indicative of αντιτασσω — antitassō for which see James 4:6. Without a question the unresisting end of the victim (τον δικαιον — ton dikaion) is pictured. With a question (ουκ — ouk expecting an affirmative answer) God or Lord is the subject, with the final judgment in view. There is no way to decide definitely. [source]
Revelation 2:16 I come [ερχομαι]
Futuristic present middle indicative, “I am coming” (imminent), as in Revelation 2:5 with ταχυ — tachu as in Revelation 3:11; Revelation 11:14; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. As with εν ταχει — en tachei (Revelation 1:1), we do not know how soon “quickly” is meant to be understood. But it is a real threat.Against them (μετ αυτων — met' autōn). This proposition with πολεμεω — polemeō rather than κατα — kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete).With Instrumental use of εν — en For the language see Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 19:15. [source]
Revelation 2:16 Against them [μετ αυτων]
This proposition with πολεμεω — polemeō rather than κατα — kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete). [source]

What do the individual words in James 4:2 mean?

You desire and not have you kill covet not are able to obtain You quarrel wrangle you have because - not ask you
ἐπιθυμεῖτε καὶ οὐκ ἔχετε φονεύετε ζηλοῦτε οὐ δύνασθε ἐπιτυχεῖν μάχεσθε πολεμεῖτε ἔχετε διὰ τὸ μὴ αἰτεῖσθαι ὑμᾶς

ἐπιθυμεῖτε  You  desire 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐπιθυμέω  
Sense: to turn upon a thing.
φονεύετε  you  kill 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: φονεύω  
Sense: to kill, slay, murder.
ζηλοῦτε  covet 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ζηλεύω 
Sense: to burn with zeal.
δύνασθε  are  able 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δύναμαι  
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
ἐπιτυχεῖν  to  obtain 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐπιτυγχάνω  
Sense: to light or hit upon any person or thing.
μάχεσθε  You  quarrel 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: μάχομαι  
Sense: to fight.
πολεμεῖτε  wrangle 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πολεμέω  
Sense: to war, carry on war.
ἔχετε  you  have 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
διὰ  because 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
αἰτεῖσθαι  ask 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Middle
Root: αἰτέω  
Sense: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.