Quarrels, Covetousness, and Humility
James 4:1-12
Jas.4.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ποθεν: ADV
- πολεμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ποθεν: ADV
- μαχαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εντευθεν: ADV
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ηδονων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- στρατευομενων: PART,gen,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μελεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- James 1:14 (verbal): Both verses locate conflict and temptation in inward desires/lusts (Greek ἐπιθυμίαι); James 1:14 says each is tempted by his own desire, echoing the source identified in 4:1.
- James 3:16 (thematic): Links internal passions to outward disorder: 3:16 attributes envy and strife to confusion and every evil work, explaining how inner desires produce communal conflict as in 4:1.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Speaks of the flesh 'desiring against' the Spirit (ποθεῖ τὸ σῶμα τῷ πνεύματι), paralleling James' image of desires warring within members—an inner moral conflict producing opposing actions.
- Romans 7:23 (structural): Paul describes an inward 'law' warring against the law of the mind (τὸν νόμον τοῦ θελήματος ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν), a similar motif of internal warfare that yields sinful actions, resonant with James' phrasing about desires warring in the members.
- Mark 7:21–23 (verbal): Jesus identifies evil thoughts and desires 'from within' the heart as the source of sinful acts; this connects to James' emphasis that quarrels arise from inner passions rather than external causes.
Alternative generated candidates
- What is the source of the wars and quarrels among you? Is it not from your desires that wage war in your members?
- What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not your passions warring within you?
Jas.4.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- επιθυμειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχετε·φονευετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl + VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ζηλουτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- επιτυχειν·μαχεσθε: VERB,pres,act,inf + VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- πολεμειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- αιτεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- υμας·: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- Matthew 7:7-11 (verbal): Uses the same ask/receive motif to explain why desires may go unmet—‘ask, and it will be given’ parallels James’ assertion that you do not have because you do not ask.
- Luke 11:9-13 (verbal): Parallel teaching to Matthew 7:7–11 (ask, seek, knock). Luke’s version likewise links failure to obtain with failure to ask, reinforcing James’ point.
- 1 John 3:15 (thematic): Equates hatred with murder ('whoever hates his brother is a murderer'), paralleling James’ charge of internal hostility culminating in murder as a moral failing among believers.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 (thematic): Paul rebukes the Corinthians for jealousy and strife—‘you are still of the flesh…there is jealousy and strife among you’—which corresponds to James’ critique of fights, quarrels, and mutual conflict.
- 1 John 2:16 (thematic): Speaks of ‘the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes’ (covetousness), connecting with James’ mention of coveting and strong desires that lead to conflict and unmet wants.
Alternative generated candidates
- You desire and do not have; you covet and cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.
- You covet and do not have; you murder and envy and cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Jas.4.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- αιτειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- λαμβανετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- διοτι: CONJ
- κακως: ADV
- αιτεισθε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ηδοναις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- δαπανησητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 7:7-11 (thematic): Both passages treat asking God and receiving; Matthew emphasizes God gives good gifts to those who ask, implying right motive and benevolent Fatherhood as basis for receiving, which contrasts with James’ focus on wrong motives.
- Luke 11:9-13 (verbal): Luke contains the same ask/seek/knock formula and the teaching that a Father gives good gifts to children, paralleling James’ concern that requests may be refused if aimed at sinful desires.
- James 4:2 (structural): Immediate context in James: verse 2 describes covetous desires, quarrels and unmet wants—providing the direct motive analysis for why requests in v.3 are denied (they are for sinful pleasures).
- 1 John 3:22 (thematic): John links receiving from God to keeping his commandments and pleasing him, offering a theological contrast to James’ point that impure motives (seeking pleasures) prevent prayer from being answered.
- James 1:5-8 (thematic): Earlier in James the exhortation to ask for wisdom in faith (without doubting) shows a related concern: the efficacy of prayer depends on proper disposition and trust, paralleling James 4:3’s emphasis on the asker’s motive.
Alternative generated candidates
- You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, to consume it on your pleasures.
- You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, to spend it on your passions.
Jas.4.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μοιχαλιδες: NOUN,voc,pl,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- φιλια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εχθρα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- βουληθη: VERB,pres,mid,subj,3,sg
- φιλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εχθρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- καθισταται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 John 2:15-16 (verbal): Explicitly warns against loving the world and its desires (lust of the flesh, eyes, pride of life), echoing James’ contrast between friendship with the world and hostility to God.
- John 15:18-19 (thematic): Jesus teaches that the world’s values oppose God and his followers; being aligned with the world sets one apart from God’s community, similar to James’ friend/enemy contrast.
- Romans 8:7 (verbal): Describes the mind set on the flesh as hostile/antagonistic toward God (Greek idea of ἔχθρα/hostility), paralleling James’ language that friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God.
- Matthew 6:24 (structural): Affirms the impossibility of divided allegiance—serving two masters (God and mammon)—matching James’ point that seeking friendship with the world places one in opposition to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- You adulterous people, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
- You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Jas.4.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δοκειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- κενως: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γραφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- λεγει·Προς: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+PREP
- φθονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επιποθει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κατωκισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
Parallels
- Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 5:9 (allusion): OT formula 'I the LORD your God am a jealous God' — James’ reference to divine jealousy echoes this Old Testament language about God's jealous concern for his people.
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (verbal): Promises God will 'put my Spirit within you' and enable obedience — parallels James’ idea of a spirit dwelling in believers that longs/jealously desires fidelity.
- Isaiah 63:10-11 (thematic): Speaks of the people rebelling and 'grieving' or frustrating the Holy Spirit and God’s compassionate, zealous response — thematically close to divine jealousy over wayward worshipers.
- Romans 8:9-11 (thematic): Paul affirms that the Spirit of God/Christ dwells in believers — echoes James’ concern with the Spirit that resides in Christians and its claims on their loyalty.
- Acts 5:3-4 (verbal): Peter equates lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God (Ananias and Sapphira) — connects the personhood and moral claims of the Spirit who dwells among believers, resonating with James’ notion of the Spirit’s jealous claim.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks for nothing? 'He jealously longs for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.'
- Or do you suppose the Scripture says for nothing, "He yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
Jas.4.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μειζονα: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- διδωσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- χαριν·διο: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λεγει·Ο: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υπερηφανοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- αντιτασσεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ταπεινοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- διδωσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:34 (quotation): James directly echoes this proverb (in the LXX/Septuagint tradition): 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,' which appears to be the source James cites.
- 1 Peter 5:5 (verbal): Peter uses the same wording—'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'—applying the proverb to Christian conduct and mutual humility.
- Matthew 23:12 (thematic): Jesus' saying 'whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted' shares the same theme of divine reversal and the blessedness of humility found in James 4:6.
- Luke 18:14 (structural): The conclusion of the parable ('For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted') parallels James' emphasis that God grants grace to the humble and resists the proud.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he gives greater grace; therefore he says, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'
- But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Jas.4.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- υποταγητε: VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω·αντιστητε: NOUN,dat,sg,m + VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- διαβολω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- φευξεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- αφ᾽υμων·: PREP + PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Peter 5:6-9 (verbal): Combines the twin commands of humility/submission to God and active resistance of the devil; 1 Peter explicitly says to humble yourselves under God and to resist the devil so that he may flee.
- Matthew 4:1-11 (structural): Narrative example of resisting Satan: Jesus resists temptation by appealing to Scripture and the tempter departs, echoing James’ promise that resisting the devil will make him flee.
- Luke 4:13 (structural): Concludes the temptation narrative with the devil departing from Jesus for a time, paralleling James’ causal link between resistance and the devil’s flight.
- Ephesians 6:11-13 (thematic): Urges believers to put on God’s armor and stand against the devil’s schemes—a communal/ethical parallel to James’ call to resist the devil.
- Jas.4:10 (verbal): Immediate epistolary parallel within James: the call to submit to God in 4:7 is echoed by the command to humble yourselves before the Lord in 4:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas.4.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εγγισατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εγγιει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- καθαρισατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αμαρτωλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- αγνισατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- διψυχοι: ADJ,voc,pl,m
Parallels
- Psalm 24:3-4 (verbal): Language closely parallels James 4:8: 'Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?... he who has clean hands and a pure heart,' echoing the call to cleanse hands and purify hearts.
- Hebrews 10:22 (verbal): Both texts urge believers to 'draw near' to God and emphasize inner cleansing ('let us draw near with a true heart... having our hearts sprinkled... and our bodies washed'), paralleling James's inner/outer purification motif.
- Psalm 73:28 (thematic): Expresses the value of nearness to God ('but as for me, the nearness of God is my good'), thematically matching James's summons 'Draw near to God.'
- Matthew 23:25-26 (thematic): Jesus criticizes outward cleanliness without inward purity and urges cleaning the inside of the cup, reflecting James's paired concern for righteous actions ('cleanse your hands') and a purified heart.
- 1 John 3:3 (thematic): Connects hope in Christ with moral/ethical purification ('everyone who has this hope purifies himself'), resonating with James's call to purify the heart as part of drawing near to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jas.4.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ταλαιπωρησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- πενθησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- κλαυσατε·ο: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- γελως: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- πενθος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μετατραπητω: VERB,aor,pass,imp,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- κατηφειαν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 6:25 (verbal): Jesus says, “Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep,” a close verbal parallel and likely background for James’ reversal of present joy into mourning.
- Luke 6:21 (thematic): “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh” presents the related theme of mourning and future reversal of fortunes (James calls for present mourning as repentance).
- Joel 2:12-13 (allusion): The prophetic summons to return to the LORD “with fasting, with weeping and with mourning” parallels James’ call to afflict and mourn as expressions of repentance.
- Matt 5:4 (thematic): “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” connects mourning with a righteous, covenantal response and promise—echoed in James’ emphasis on humble repentance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be sorrowful, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
- Be afflicted, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to sorrow.
Jas.4.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ταπεινωθητε: VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,pl
- ενωπιον: PREP
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- υψωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- Luke 14:11 (quotation): Jesus' aphorism 'whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted' parallels James' call to humble oneself before the Lord with the promise of exaltation.
- Luke 18:14 (quotation): Final line of the tax-collector parable repeats the same saying about humility and exaltation, echoing James' teaching on divine exaltation of the humble.
- Matthew 23:12 (quotation): Matthew records the same maxim about being humbled/exalted, providing a parallel Jesus tradition that underlies James' exhortation.
- 1 Peter 5:6 (verbal): Very close verbal parallel: 'Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,' mirroring James' command and promise.
- Proverbs 3:34 (thematic): Wisdom background: 'He gives grace to the humble' / God opposes the proud—provides Old Testament theological basis for the New Testament link of humility and divine exaltation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Jas.4.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Μη: PART
- καταλαλειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αλληλων: PRON,gen,pl
- αδελφοι·ο: NOUN,voc,pl,m
- καταλαλων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αδελφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- κρινων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αδελφον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- καταλαλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κρινει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- νομον·ει: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κρινεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ποιητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- κριτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 7:1-5 (verbal): Jesus' warning against judging others and the call to examine one's own faults parallels James' prohibition of speaking ill and judging a brother; both link judgment with hypocrisy and improper self-assessment.
- Luke 6:37 (verbal): “Judge not, and you will not be judged” echoes James' command not to slander or judge fellow believers and the negative consequences of assuming the judge’s role.
- Romans 14:4 (thematic): Paul's question “Who are you to judge another?” and his warning against passing final judgment on a brother resonates with James' rebuke of those who judge the law and others.
- Leviticus 19:16 (allusion): The Torah prohibition against acting as a talebearer/slanderer underlies James' injunction not to speak against one another—James appeals to the law’s ethical concern about harmful speech.
- Proverbs 20:19 (thematic): The wisdom tradition’s warnings about gossip and its divisive effects (e.g., do not associate with a gossip) thematically parallel James' condemnation of slander and judging among brothers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not speak evil against one another, my brothers. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks against the law and judges the law.
- Do not speak evil against one another, my brothers. Whoever speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks against the law and judges the law; if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
Jas.4.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- νομοθετης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κριτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δυναμενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- σωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- απολεσαι·συ: VERB,aor,act,inf+PRON,nom,sg,2
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κρινων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πλησιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 14:4 (verbal): Uses nearly identical reasoning and wording — 'Who are you to judge another's servant?' — arguing that final judgment belongs to the Lord, not fellow humans.
- Matthew 7:1-2 (thematic): Jesus' teaching 'Do not judge, that you may not be judged' shares the ethical prohibition against passing judgment on others and the warning that judgment belongs to God.
- Luke 12:14 (verbal): Jesus asks 'Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?' echoing the rhetorical challenge in James to human claims to judge others.
- 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (thematic): Paul refuses human appraisal ('I do not even judge myself') and insists that ultimate judgment and disclosure of motives belong to the Lord, paralleling James' claim that God alone judges.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 (verbal): Divine self‑declaration 'I kill and make alive' (and similar language) parallels James' statement that the one Lawgiver/Judge 'is able to save and to destroy,' grounding God's exclusive authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- There is one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?
- There is one Lawgiver and Judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?
From where do wars and disputes among you arise? Do they not come from the desires waging war within your members?
You desire and do not have; you covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend it on your passions.
You adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain? "He jealously desires the spirit that he has made to dwell in us." But he gives more grace. Therefore God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Be afflicted, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Do not speak against one another, my brothers. Whoever speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks against the law and judges the law. And if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to pass judgment on your neighbor?