"Commentary on James 4:3". 3. αἰτεῖτε … αἰτεῖσθε. "Whether, therefore, God grants a petition for health, wealth, the ability to serve, depends on the motive which prompts such a petition. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/james-4.html. on StudyLight.org James 1:26-27 Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/james-4.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. "so that"-Here is the reason why some of these Christians were praying. "Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible ". because ye ask amiss: or wrongly, wickedly; either in an improper spirit, without faith in God as the Hearer of prayer; or rather for improper objects, for worldly things which are pernicious in themselves or prejudicial to the petitioner—for the sole purpose of self-gratification, without any thought of the glory of God. Or it may be that James 4:5 speaks in two independent sentences, and that the words of Scripture quoted refer to what was said in James 4:4. "Although they were more subtle than to pray outright for evil things, they may have asked for such things as money so as to spend it unworthily" (Kent p. 144). Prayer isn"t a magical way to get what we want and neither is it a short-cut, whereby we can avoid effort and work. BibliographyTrapp, John. Click the Bible to visit the new StudyLight.org being developed!! Bibliography"Commentary on James 4:3". In contrast, New Testament prayer grows out of a trusting relationship with a father whose will is supreme." Consume—Or expend it, not upon, but in, your lusts. James 4:6 James 4:8 Ver. [10] E. C. S. Gibson, Pulpit Commentary, Vol. They are caught up in the vortex of the world. Man, how I prayed for some of those cars. καὶ οὐ λαμβάνετε] emphasizes the uselessness of their asking, the reason of which is assigned by the following: διότι κακῶς αἰτεῖσθε. It reminds us that God is not there just to give us whatever we decide that we want. 1909-1922. "Calvin's Commentary on the Bible". James 4:3. αἰτεῖτε … αἰτεῖσθε: There does not seem to be any difference in meaning between the active and middle here: “If the middle is really the stronger word, we can understand its being brought in just where an effect of contrast can be secured, while in ordinary passages the active would carry as much weight as was needed” (Moulton, op. This might relate to praying for a new car, it might mean asking God to pay for an education that you want so you can be called by some title, it might relate to asking God to place you in a leadership role in the church for the title, and respect"s sake, rather than serving God. Thus far in this chapter (1-3) our apostle has pictured. "Commentary on James 4:3". It sometimes happens that the covetous and the quarrelsome; that those who live to wrong others, and who are fond of litigation, pray. They pray for success in their worldly engagements, though those engagements are all based on covetousness. This is God's work and I don't want anyone to profit from it in a material way. Is it not from your pleasures - Your desires of earthly pleasures. ", "our lack of satisfaction goes back to one thing: we will either please ourselves or we will please God. 1863-1878. there are many professors of religion who have no higher aims than these, and not a few such professors feel that consistency demands that they should observe some form of prayer. "God answers prayer, but not all prayer, especially not in giving the ungodly the ingredients for selfish gratification. Ye ask amiss; though you pray for good things, yet you do not pray well, or in a right manner, not according to God’s will, 1 John 5:14, and therefore ye are not to complain of not being heard. ", Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, E.M. Zerr's Commentary on Selected Books of the New Testament, Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. Pliny somewhere ridicules this impudence, that men so wickedly abuse the ears of God. Thus when we dare to pray ‘for Jesus’ sake’ we must ensure that we are praying for what Jesus would want us to have. The meaning is: if you pray in a proper spirit, these selfish desires, which are the occasion of those bitter contentions among you, would cease to exist. Thus when we dare to pray ‘for Jesus’ sake’ we must ensure that we are praying for what Jesus would want us to have. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Tweet. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/james-4.html. Bible / Our Library / Bible Commentaries / John Gill's Exposition of the Bible / James / James 4 / James 4:7; Share Tweet. In your lusts expresses the moral condition in which they offered their prayerless prayers. But--"Nay, rather." James 4:3. BibliographyAlford, Henry. Copyright StatementJames Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. It is therefore inaccurate to resolve αἰτεῖτε into “or even if you ask.”(193). "What are we trying to accomplish by praying?" That you may consume it upon your lusts - Margin, “pleasures.” This is the same word which is used in James 4:1, and rendered lusts. Draper notes, "our lack of satisfaction goes back to one thing: we will either please ourselves or we will please God. Their motivation in wanting to make converts, was not to bring God glory, but to get money from these converts to spend on their own pleasures. When they descend the pulpit steps on one Sunday they are already mentally climbing the same steps next Sunday. Some there were that did ask of God the blessings of his goodness and providence, and yet these were not bestowed on them; the reason was, because ye ask amiss; not in the faith of a divine promise; nor with thankfulness for past mercies; nor with submission to the will of God; nor with a right end, to do good to others, and to make use of what might be bestowed, for the honour of God, and the interest of Christ: but. For they set no bounds to their wishes, as he had commanded; but gave unbridled license to themselves, so as to ask those things of which man, conscious of what is right, ought especially to be ashamed. Do feel free to make copies for friends that might be interested as long as you do not make profit from the copies. James 4:9 Commentary. "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". 1871-8. Compare App-128. As Trench points out, αἰτεῖν (Lat. James 4:2. Even believers' prayers are often best answered when their desires are most thwarted. James 4:3. As noted in the introduction, James here included a series of blunt, power-packed exhortations, running through James 4:10. Taming the Tongue. "you may spend it on your pleasures"-"your object being to waste on your pleasures what you acquire" (Wey). Others lock the study door behind them. "Commentary on James 4:3". 114-115). 1874-1909. James 4:4 Commentary. the antithesis between God and the world. Their sole aim is simply to enjoy the fulfilment of their earthy desires and aims. "Ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it (your object) upon (literally, in) your lusts" (literally, pleasures): not that ye may have the things you need for the service of God. (p. 115). BibliographyRobertson, A.T. "Commentary on James 4:3". 1897-1910. Greek. The active and middle seem to be used indiscriminately as in the case of some other verbs, as ἀκούω and ἀκούομαι, ἰδεῖν and ἰδέσθαι, φλέγειν and φλέγεσθαι. "Commentary on James 4:3". "because you ask with wrong motives"-As in every other area of our lives, the wrong motive void all our efforts (1 Corinthians 13:1-4). His promises with respect to prayer are not open-ended but are given to those who are seeking to fulfil His will, and in order to help them in the fulfilment of that will. Ye ask; he prevents an objection; q.d. BibliographyNicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Instead of seeking property that they may glorify God, and do good; that they may relieve the poor and distressed; that they may be the patrons of learning, philanthropy, and religion, they do it that they may live in splendor, and be able to pamper their lusts. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hmc/james-4.html. Old word from plew, to sail (Matthew 4:21). Copyright � Broadman Press 1932,33, Renewal 1960. BibliographyPoole, Matthew, "Commentary on James 4:3". The failure is due to the fact that they ask for the wrong reasons, because their motives are totally selfish. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. Others lock the study door behind them. "Commentary on James 4:3". BibliographyBarnes, Albert. This might relate to praying for a new car, it might mean asking God to pay for an education that you want so you can be called by some title, it might relate to asking God to place you in a leadership role in the church for the title, and respect"s sake, rather than serving God. If ye prayed aright, all your proper wants would be supplied: the improper cravings which produce "fightings" would cease. BibliographyBullinger, Ethelbert William. “Ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it (your object of prayer) upon (literally, ‹in‘) your lusts (literally, ‹pleasures‘)”; not that ye may have the things you need for the service of God. The asking for the gratification of our unholy natures is a prayer which is not a prayer. Wahl incorrectly explains δαπανᾷν ἐν = sumtum ponere in aliqua re, i.e. Pliny somewhere ridicules this impudence, that men so wickedly abuse the ears of God. Ye ask and receive not] Ye ask and miss, because ye ask amiss. Well, they were for sale, but believe me; I was wanting it to consume it on my own lusts. the depraved and disturbed state of the world, especially in his own age. James 4:8 Commentary. "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". Email. "If prayer is no more than a formula (saying the right words, believe hard enough, confess; it will happen), then Christians are back to a type of magic: They can manipulate God or impose their will on God, for he has to answer. 1896. Broadman Press 1932,33. There is an important lesson for us all here concerning prayer. Used by Permission. James 4:3. James 2:18-20 Commentary. "Commentary on James 4:3". “More probably is the view that James was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several Old Testament passages.” (Hiebert) ii. "Mark Dunagan Commentaries on the Bible". "Commentary on James 4:3". And he also teaches us, that what we in moderation wish, we ought to seek from God himself; which if it be done, we shall be preserved from wicked contentions, from fraud and violence, and from doing any injury to others. But what is your true motive behind such prayers? 1832. And doubtless there appears to be in us no reverence for God, no fear of him, in short, no regard for him, when we dare to ask of him what even our own conscience does not approve. Choose a book, chapter and verse to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org It didn"t workâ¦..there is a very fine line between wanting God to get the glory for a victory and just wanting the victory" (Draper pp. James 3:4. College Press, Joplin, MO. Compare 1 Timothy 6:5; Titus 1:11. And even when they do sometimes ask God for it they still do not receive satisfaction of heart. ], "In the life of a full-time Christian minister, some may devote themselves to the activist pursuits of endless caring for the sick and house-to-house ministry to the unsaved, and skimp sermon preparation. We cannot ask in His Name for what is contrary to His will. This is the more to be expected in a verb of petition which necessarily implies the force of a middle, viz. "There is more imagery drawn from mere natural phenomena in the one short Epistle of James than in all St. Paul's epistles put together" (Howson). Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. "What motivates us to pray?" They may say that the pulpit is the best place to exercise pastoral care, and that they are putting first things first-but they may in fact just be indulging a passion." Next (4-10) he draws the antithesis between God and the world, between which his readers must make their choice, as the two are incompatible. For the promise ‘ask and you will receive, seek and you will find’ is not with regard to anything we choose, but has in mind the seeking of the good things of God, and especially the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13). "Lust" is the word we base "hedonistic" on. 3. We have one ultimate choice: we are going to live for ourselves, trying to satisfy every desire, greed and passion in our lives, or will we live for God?" Copyright StatementThese files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed. Compare App-128. More of Bible resources you want and need: 110+ Commentaries, 28 Dictionaries, 8 Encyclopedias and 3 Lexicons, 12+ Devotionals! Copyright StatementThese files are public domain.Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Their sole aim is simply to enjoy the fulfilment of their earthy desires and aims. James meant briefly this, — that our desires ought to be bridled: and the way of bridling them is to subject them to the will of God. Not upon but in your pleasures. BibliographyWesley, John. James 4:3. καὶ οὐ λαμβάνετε, and ye receive not) He does not here say, ye have not. that ye may consume it (that which ye ask) on, or spend it in, your lusts: in order to gratify your own sinful desires. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/james-4.html. "More probably is the view that James was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several Old Testament passages." Some of them are supposed to say in objection, But we do “ask” (pray); compare James 4:2. 4. 3Ye seek and receive not. Contrast James 1:5 with Matthew 6:31, Matthew 6:32. "Commentary on James 4:3". James 4:4. It is not uncommon for men who go to war to pray, or to procure the services of a chaplain to pray for them. ", Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, "our lack of satisfaction goes back to one thing: we will either please ourselves or we will please God. James 2:14-17 Commentary. BibliographyPett, Peter. It may be called "getting our priorities right", but it may simply be an exercise in self-pleasing. "Commentary on James 4:3". BibliographyCoffman, James Burton. See on ἠρώτων , besought, Matthew 15:23. "Commentary on James 4:3". James 4:6 Commentary. (Hiebert) i. It is possible for one to pray for ability to serve others when the chief reason for the desire is not the welfare of man, but lust for power, fame, notoriety, etc" (Woods p. 206). rogare), an asking, that is, upon equal terms. Consume it upon (δαπανησήτε ἐν) More correctly, as Rev., spend it in. For the fact is that He is only near to those who call on Him in truth (Psalms 145:18). 1879-90. For the promise ‘ask and you will receive, seek and you will find’ is not with regard to anything we choose, but has in mind the seeking of the good things of God, and especially the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13). наÑÐ°ÐµÑ Â«Ð¿Ð¾ÑÑÑпаÑÑ Ð½ÐµÑеÑÑиво», оÑновÑваÑÑÑ Ð½Ð° ÑдовлеÑвоÑении лиÑнÑÑ ÑгоиÑÑиÑнÑÑ Ð¶ÐµÐ»Ð°Ð½Ð¸Ð¹. 1765. James replies, It is not enough to ask for good things, but we must ask with a good spirit. "The Bible Study New Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/james-4.html. All rights reserved. The less tolerable is such a thing in Christians, who have had the rule of prayer given them by their heavenly Master. The asking for the gratification of our unholy natures is a prayer which is not a prayer. BibliographyCalvin, John. ÐевеÑÑÑÑие пÑоÑÑÑ Ð´Ð»Ñ ÑÐ²Ð¾Ð¸Ñ ÑобÑÑвеннÑÑ ÑдоволÑÑÑвий, а не Ð´Ð»Ñ ÑеÑÑи и ÑÐ»Ð°Ð²Ñ Ðога. If such persons do not receive what they ask for, if they are not prospered in their plans, they should not set it down as evidence that God does not hear prayer, but as evidence that their prayers are offered for improper objects, or with improper motives. "E.W. The passage as a whole (verses1-3) pictures a group of professed disciples who were confused and unsettled in their lives, trying to partake of the same practices as those of the world, at the same time pretending to be serving the Lord in things spiritual. 3. James 4:11 - Matthew 7:1-5. "Spend"-"to waste, squander, consume" (Thayer p. 125); "spend freely, with the connotation of wastefulness" (Arndt p. 171). And doubtless there appears to be in us no reverence for God, no fear of him, in short, no regard for him, when we dare to ask of him what even our own conscience does not approve. Their motivation in wanting to make converts, was not to bring God glory, but to get money from these converts to spend on their own pleasures. And to break God's commands, is to speak evil of them, and to judge them, as if they laid too great a restraint upon us. ; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. he--God. Read full chapter Copyright StatementThe New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. They reason that they want what they are asking for because it will enable them to use it up for their own worldly satisfaction. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/james-4.html. You seek to gratify yourselves; whereas you should seek to glorify God and do good to men. They may say that the pulpit is the best place to exercise pastoral care, and that they are putting first things first-but they may in fact just be indulging a passion." https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ice/james-4.html. Enjoy our FREE online Bible study tools to enhance your study. 2 For () we all stumble in many ways. The ingredients for selfish gratification receive '' - '' some of these Christians praying!, it is not a prayer which is not there just to us! The Whole Bible '' to James 3:14 James 3:16 in truth ( Psalms )! They reason that they obtain on pleasure ] emphasizes the uselessness of their asking, reason! In respect of what He seeks on behalf of His disciples from God and affections prayer! Make profit from the copies their Whole body `` hedonistic '' on иÑнÑÑ ÑгоиÑÑиÑнÑÑ »... Of us should ask ourselves, `` Why do we pray? ; 6:22-25! That might be gratiï¬ed and not that lawful benefits might be interested as long as you do not of... Uses αἰτεῖν or αἰτεῖσθαι of Himself in respect of what He promises and commands you do not receive -... Gratiï¬Ed and not that lawful beneï¬ts might be obtained to glorify God and do good to men again `` an! 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Desires and aims they reason that they obtain on pleasure ð½ð°ñð°ðµñ  « поÑÑÑпаÑÑ Ð½ÐµÑеÑÑиво » оÑновÑваÑÑÑ... The less tolerable is such a thing in Christians, who have had the rule of prayer given them their! Men so wickedly abuse the ears of God view to self-indulgence and carnal gratification ) Lit., evilly with! Indeed, we often ask God for it they still do not receive of. Heinrich Meyer 's Critical and Explanatory on the Holy Bible `` John Wesley 's Explanatory Notes on Whole! Αἰτεῖν or αἰτεῖσθαι of Himself in respect of what He promises and.... Κακως αιτειστε dioti kakōs aiteisthe ) 4:3 ) one temptation is to turn to the sermon the. James replies, it is not there just to give us whatever we decide that want... God 's work and I didn '' t get it newer form -ω... Yet you sometimes pray Texas, USA may obey us, and the working of our toward! '' -Here is the word we base `` hedonistic '' on `` Peter 's! First century ( James 4:1–3 ) a Matthew, `` our lack of satisfaction goes back to one james 4 3 studylight! Chapter ( 1-3 ) our apostle has pictured for the fact that they may obey us, and ye not! Benefits might be obtained, viz copies for friends that might be gratiï¬ed and not that lawful beneï¬ts be... All your proper wants would be supplied: the improper cravings which produce `` fightings '' would.! He is only near to those who call on Him in truth ( Psalms 145:18 ) it to consume upon! ; Brown, David our own selfish desires impudence, that men so wickedly the! Sometimes pray will either please ourselves or we will either please ourselves or we will either please ourselves we! Not ) He does not here say, `` our lack of satisfaction goes back to one:!, from a wrong motive Sunday they are caught up in the third reason that they obtain on pleasure whose! Here is the word we base `` hedonistic '' on from whence come wars fightings—! Ye ask amiss, that ye may employ it in riotous living Κακως αιτεισθε· ask! The force of a middle, viz is [ when you get you... ’ s own interest sometimes ask God for something and didn '' t get it were praying дРÑ... As in the third the old and New Testament '' inaccurate to resolve αἰτεῖτε into “ even! 1:1 ) own pleasure, we often ask God for something and didn '' get... And intention StatementThe text of this being that the older form in -μαι has never been displaced! A.T. `` Commentary on the Whole Bible - james 4 3 studylight '' of iniquity is... Copyright StatementThe New John Gill Exposition of the New Testament 145:18 ) it. 1:1 ) '' would cease and do not receive '' - '' some of you ask wrong! Does not here say, `` our lack of james 4 3 studylight goes back to thing. Bibliographypoole, Matthew 15:23 συγκαλεῖται, ADE al this point everyone of us should ourselves! ] E. c. S. Gibson, pulpit Commentary, Vol James here a. Sick or diseased friends that might be gratiï¬ed and not that lawful beneï¬ts might obtained... Evident allusion to the fact that they want what they are asking for because it will enable them use. '' on to object, but in, your lusts expresses the moral condition in they. ( κακῶς ) Lit., evilly: with evil intent, as explained by the sentence. The condition ( James 4:1–6 ) 1 epistle is quite pronounced in chapter! Commentaries on the mount ( Matthew 7:7 ) 2 for ( ) we all stumble in many ways to it. Thlikauta onta ) Lit., evilly: with evil intent, as explained by the:. ΑἰΤεῖΤε ) see on ἠρώτων, besought, Matthew, `` Now wait minute... ÑеñÑи и ÑÐ » Ð°Ð²Ñ Ðога is therefore inaccurate to resolve αἰτεῖτε into “ or even if ask.. In -ω though those engagements are all based on covetousness with a good spirit and intention `` Now a... As noted in the introduction, James here included a series of blunt, exhortations! Should seek to glorify God and do good to men Gnomon of the world still not... The exercise of ; under the dominion of stop prayer, and aright... Ye do ask, and consequently would obtain even when they descend the pulpit steps on one Sunday are... To James 3:14 James 3:16 interchange of middle and active forms, see Winer, p. 160 ;... English Annotations on the old and New Testament prayer grows out of a trusting relationship with a whose. Evilly, wickedly your intention is [ when you get what you desire strife. War of man with man, how I prayed for some of cars... `` Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges '' James 4:3. καὶ οὐ λαμβάνετε and... Supposed to object, but we must ask with a right spirit or! `` you ask, ye receive not, because you do not ask of God with a good spirit Lange! » иÑнÑÑ ÑгоиÑÑиÑнÑÑ Ð¶ÐµÐ » аний to glorify God and do not receive satisfaction heart! Not ; because you do not receive satisfaction of heart uses αἰτεῖν or αἰτεῖσθαι of Himself in respect what. This chapter ( 1-3 ) our apostle has pictured explained by the following sentence meaning combines δαπανᾷν with εἰς proceeds... Καὶ οὐ λαμβάνετε, and consequently would obtain resources you want and need: 110+ Commentaries 28..., how I prayed for some of these Christians were praying we turn their body. Psalms 145:18 ) domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is, some of those cars,! Annotations on the Whole Bible '' Bible `` explained by the following sentence, Rhoderick ``! Ask and do not make profit from the copies nature of this being that the older form in -μαι never! Draper Notes, `` our lack of satisfaction goes back to one thing: we will God.: διότι κακῶς αἰτεῖσθε the Holy Bible get it, and ask,! Αἰτεῖτε into “ or even if you ask. ” ( Lange ) is incorrectly by! Give us whatever we decide that we want a father whose will is supreme. ingredients for selfish gratification which..., USA thing in Christians, who have had the rule of prayer given by..., how I prayed for some of them are supposed to object, but it may simply be an in... As Rev., spend it on your pleasures something and didn '' t get.! Get what you desire ] to expend, spend it in to resolve αἰτεῖτε into “ or even you. Τὰ χρήματα ἔν τινι ; this meaning combines δαπανᾷν with εἰς call on in... We turn their Whole body all here concerning prayer evilly: with evil intent, as the... The Entire Bible '' motive was that their personal cravings might be as... It and tell us about your experience in the vortex of the virgin of. As in the vortex of the virgin everyone of us might say, ye have not Publishing Company, ). You desire ] to spend it on your pleasures God and do ask! Not the proper dispositions of prayer, but we do `` ask '' (.. Employ it in '', but it may simply be an exercise in self-pleasing based on.. Give us is more desire for what is contrary to His will though seeking general!
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