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◄ James 4:2►

New International Version
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

New Living Translation
You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

English Standard Version
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Berean Standard Bible
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Berean Literal Bible
You desire and do not have. You kill and covet and are not able to obtain. You fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

New American Standard Bible
You lust and do not have,so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain,so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

NASB 1995
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

NASB 1977
You lust and do not have;so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain;so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

Legacy Standard Bible
You lust and do not have,so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain,so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

Amplified Bible
You are jealousand covet [what others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God].

Christian Standard Bible
You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask.

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

Contemporary English Version
You want something you don't have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won't get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You want what you don't have, so you commit murder. You're determined to have things, but you can't get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them.

Good News Translation
You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it.

International Standard Version
You want something but do not get it, so you commit murder. You covet something but cannot obtain it, so you quarrel and fight. You do not get things because you do not ask for them!

NET Bible
You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask;

New Heart English Bible
You lust, and do not have. You kill, covet, and cannot obtain. You fight and make war. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
You covet things and yet cannot get them; you commit murder; you have passionate desires and yet cannot gain your end; you begin to fight and make war. You have not, because you do not pray;

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

World English Bible
You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
You desire, and do not have, [so] you murder; and you are zealous, and are not able to attain, [so] you fight and war; and you do not have, because of your not asking;

Berean Literal Bible
You desire and do not have. You kill and covet and are not able to obtain. You fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Young's Literal Translation
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;

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye eagerly desire, and have not: ye kill, and are zealous, and cannot succeed: ye fight and wage war, and ye have not, because ye ask not.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
You covet, and have not: you kill, and envy, and can not obtain. You contend and war, and you have not, because you ask not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You desire, and you do not have. You envy and you kill, and you are unable to obtain. You argue and you fight, and you do not have, because you do not ask.

New American Bible
You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask.

New Revised Standard Version
You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
You covet, and do not obtain; you kill and envy, but you cannot possess; you strive and fight, yet you have nothing, because you do not ask.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You lust and you do not possess; you murder and envy and you have no power. You fight and you do battle and you have not because you ask not.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
You desire, and you have not; you kill, and are earnestly desirous of having, and yet you can not obtain; you fight and war, and yet you have not, because you ask not.

Godbey New Testament
You lust, and you have not: you murder, and you strive, and you are not able to obtain: you fight and you war; and have not, because you do not ask:

Haweis New Testament
Ye eagerly covet, yet have not: ye murder, and are envious, yet cannot obtainyour object; ye wage war, but have not, because ye pray not.

Mace New Testament
you quarrel and go to war, but without success, because you don't petition for it: and if you did,

Weymouth New Testament
You covet things and yet cannot get them; you commit murder; you have passionate desires and yet cannot gain your end; you begin to fight and make war. You have not, because you do not pray;

Worrell New Testament
Ye desire, and have not; ye kill, and envy, and cannot obtain; ye fight, and war; ye have not, because ye ask not.

Worsley New Testament
Ye desire, and ye have not: ye are envious, and jealous, and cannot obtain: ye fight and contend; but ye have not, because ye ask not.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Warning against Pride
1What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?2You crave what you do not have;you kill and covet,but are unable to obtain it.You quarrel and fight.You do not have,because you do not ask.3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

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

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

Romans 7:23
But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Proverbs 21:10
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Treasury of Scripture

You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.

lust.

James 5:1-5
Go to now,ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come uponyou…

Proverbs 1:19
Soare the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is onealone, andthere is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yetis there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neithersaith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? Thisis also vanity, yea, itis a sore travail.

kill.

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to allmen liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

Matthew 7:7,8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: …

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Able Begin Burning Commit Covet Death Desire Desires End Envious Envy Fight Fighting Full Gain Kill Lust Making Murder Obtain Passionate Quarrel Request Want War

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Able Begin Burning Commit Covet Death Desire Desires End Envious Envy Fight Fighting Full Gain Kill Lust Making Murder Obtain Passionate Quarrel Request Want War

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.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

You crave what you do not have;
This phrase highlights the human tendency towards covetousness and dissatisfaction. In biblical context, this echoes the Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17), which warns against coveting. The desire for what others possess can lead to sin and disrupt community harmony. Historically, this reflects the socio-economic disparities in the early church, where some members might have been wealthier than others, leading to envy and strife.

you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it.
The language of "kill" may be metaphorical, emphasizing the extreme lengths to which people might go due to unchecked desires. This could also be a hyperbolic reference to the destructive nature of envy and strife, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8). The inability to obtain what is coveted underscores the futility of such desires, aligning with Ecclesiastes' theme of vanity and the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits.

You quarrel and fight.
This phrase points to the conflicts and divisions within the early Christian communities. The early church faced internal disputes, as seen in Paul's letters addressing divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Such quarrels can be traced back to selfish ambitions and desires, which James warns against. The call for unity and peace is a recurring theme in the New Testament, reflecting Jesus' teachings on peacemaking (Matthew 5:9).

You do not have, because you do not ask.
This statement emphasizes the importance of prayer and reliance on God. It suggests that unmet needs may result from a lack of prayerful dependence on God, rather than from striving through human effort. This aligns with Jesus' teaching inMatthew 7:7-11 about asking, seeking, and knocking. It underscores the necessity of approaching God with humility and faith, trusting in His provision rather than relying solely on human means.

Persons / Places / Events

1.James
The author of the epistle, traditionally understood to be James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern for the spiritual health of his readers.

2.Early Christian Communities
The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing various trials and temptations.

3.Conflict and Desire
The context of the verse involves interpersonal conflicts and unfulfilled desires within the community, highlighting the human tendency towards envy and strife.

Teaching Points

The Root of Conflict
James identifies unfulfilled desires as the root of quarrels and fights. Reflect on how unchecked desires can lead to destructive behavior in personal relationships and communities.

The Power of Prayer
The verse highlights the importance of asking God for our needs. Encourage a lifestyle of prayer, recognizing that God is the source of all good gifts.

Contentment and Trust
Cultivate contentment by trusting in God's provision rather than striving through envy and covetousness. This aligns with the biblical call to be content in all circumstances.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine personal desires and motivations. Are they aligned with God's will, or are they leading to conflict and dissatisfaction?

Community Harmony
Promote peace and unity within the community by addressing the root causes of conflict and encouraging open communication and prayerful dependence on God.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of James 4:2?

2.How does James 4:2 highlight the consequences of unchecked desires in our lives?

3.What does "you do not have because you do not ask" teach us?

4.How can we align our desires with God's will according to James 4:2?

5.Compare James 4:2 with Matthew 7:7 on the importance of asking God.

6.How can prayer transform our desires as suggested in James 4:2?

7.What does "You do not have because you do not ask" imply about prayer's importance?

8.How does James 4:2 challenge the concept of divine providence versus human responsibility?

9.Why does James emphasize desires leading to conflict in James 4:2?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from James 4?

11.How does James 4:2–3 reconcile the promise of answered prayer with the many unanswered prayers observed in reality?

12.What does "You have not because you ask not" mean?

13.What are hedonism and a hedonist?

14.What does the Bible teach about covetousness?

What Does James 4:2 Mean

You crave what you do not have

- James begins by exposing the inward root of conflict: restless, self-focused desire. The word “crave” signals an appetite that refuses to be satisfied until it possesses what it wants.

- Scripture consistently warns against coveting—Exodus 20:17,Colossians 3:5—because unchecked desire dethrones God and centers life on “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

- These cravings promise fulfillment yet deliver emptiness.Ecclesiastes 5:10 observes, “Whoever loves money is never satisfied with money,” underscoring that desire apart from God only intensifies hunger.

You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it

- When desire is frustrated, it escalates. James uses the stark verb “kill” to show how far selfish ambition can go—whether literal violence like Cain murdering Abel (Genesis 4:5-8) or murderous hatred of the heart that Jesus equates with homicide (Matthew 5:21-22;1 John 3:15).

- “Covet” points to yearning for what belongs to someone else, a pattern that fueled David’s sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Yet even after scheming, David still faced emptiness and judgment—the very “unable to obtain” James describes.

- The futility is intentional: God resists proud striving (Proverbs 16:18) so that people will recognize their need for Him.

You quarrel and fight

- Inner war produces outer war. Self-oriented hearts spill over into fractured relationships—families, churches, communities.

-Proverbs 13:10 states, “Arrogance leads only to strife,” whileGalatians 5:15 warns believers, “If you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

- The body of Christ is called instead to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Philippians 2:3-4). When that calling is ignored, conflict becomes inevitable.

You do not have, because you do not ask

- After exposing the problem, James points to the neglected solution: prayer. Instead of coveting, believers are invited to bring needs to the Father.

- Jesus promises, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). He repeats inJohn 16:24, “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

- James already highlighted this principle: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (James 1:5). Failure to pray leaves genuine needs unmet, while misdirected cravings rage on.

-1 John 5:14 assures that when we ask according to God’s will, He hears us. The doorway out of frustrated desire is humble, dependent, God-centered prayer.

summary

James 4:2 traces a clear progression: unsubmitted desire → frustrated coveting → destructive conflict → prayerless lack. The antidote is not harder grasping but humble asking. When hearts turn from self to God, cravings are purified, relationships heal, and true satisfaction is received as a gift rather than seized as a prize.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2, 3)Ye lust, and have not . . .--Better thus:Ye desire, and have not; ye kill, and envy, and cannot obtain; ye fight and make war; ye have not, because ye ask not; ye ask and receive not, because ye ask that ye may spend it on your lusts. It is interesting to notice the sharp crisp sentences, recollecting at the same time that St. James himself fell a victim to the passions he thus assails, probably at the hands of a zealot mob. The marginal note to the second of the above paragraphs givesenvy as an alternative reading for "kill": but this is an error. "Ye kill and play the zealot" would be still nearer the original: for, as with Jedburgh justice in the old Border wars, hanging preceded the trial, so with these factions in Jerusalem death went first, almost before the desire to deal it. Lust, envy, strife, and murder:--like the tale of human passion in all ages, the dreadful end draws on. It is written in every national epic; its elements abound in the life of each individual: the slaughter in Etzel's halls overshadows the first lines of the Nibelungen-lied; the curse of Medea hangs like a gathering cloud around Jason and his Argonauts. Is it objected (James 4:3) that prayer is made but not answered? The reply is obvious;Ye ask not in the true sense; when ye do ask ye receive not, because God is too loving, even in His anger. Nevertheless, remember, He gave the Israelites "their desire, and sent leanness withal into their soul" (Psalm 106:15). "I," said He by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 14:4), "will answer him that cometh to Me, according to his idols." What greater curse could fall than an eternity of avarice to the miser, of pollution to the sensual, of murder to the violent? Many a man of quiet Christian life will thank God by-and-by, when he knows even as he is known (1Corinthians 13:12), that not a few of his prayers were unanswered, or at least that they were not granted in the way which he had desired. Safety is only to be found in our Lord's own manner of petition, "Not my will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42). Alas! in shameful contrast to this we read of many an evil-hearted prayer offered up to the Lord our Righteousness; invocations of saints for help in unholy deeds; of angels, for acts rather befitting devils of the pit; and can hardly have the conscience to reproach the heathen for supplicating their gods in no worse a manner for no better cause.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

You crave
ἐπιθυμεῖτε(epithymeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1937:To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.

[what]
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

{you do} not
οὐκ(ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

have.
ἔχετε(echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

You kill
φονεύετε(phoneuete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5407:To murder, kill. From phoneus; to be a murderer.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

covet,
ζηλοῦτε(zēloute)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2206:From zelos; to have warmth of feeling for or against.

but
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

are unable
δύνασθε(dynasthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to obtain [it].
ἐπιτυχεῖν(epitychein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2013:To attain, obtain, acquire. From epi and tugchano; to chance upon, i.e. to attain.

You quarrel
μάχεσθε(machesthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3164:To engage in battle, fight; hence: To strive, contend, dispute.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

fight.
πολεμεῖτε(polemeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4170:To make war, contend, fight, battle. From polemos; to be in warfare, i.e. To battle: -fight, war.

You do not have,
ἔχετε(echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

because
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

you
ὑμᾶς(hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

{do} not
μὴ(mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

ask.
αἰτεῖσθαι(aiteisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle
Strong's 154:To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

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NT Letters: James 4:2 You lust and don't have (Ja Jas. Jam)