James 4:5

Amplified Bible

Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy?

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?

King James Version (1611)
Doe ye thinke that the Scripture saith in vaine, the spirit that dwelleth in vs lusteth to enuy?

King James Version
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

English Standard Version
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?

New American Standard Bible
Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, "He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us"?

New Century Version
Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, "The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone"?

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?

Berean Standard Bible
Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?

Contemporary English Version
Do you doubt the Scriptures that say, "God truly cares about the Spirit he has put in us"?

Complete Jewish Bible
Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is a spirit in us which longs to envy?

Darby Translation
Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously?

Easy-to-Read Version
Do you think the Scriptures mean nothing? The Scriptures say, "The Spirit God made to live in us wants us only for himself."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Doe ye thinke that the Scripture sayeth in vaine, The spirit that dwelleth in vs, lusteth after enuie?

George Lamsa Translation
Or do you think that the scripture said in vain, The pride that dwells in us is provoked by jealousy?

Good News Translation
Don't think that there is no truth in the scripture that says, "The spirit that God placed in us is filled with fierce desires."

Lexham English Bible
Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, "The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously"?

Literal Translation
Or do you think that vainly the Scripture says, The spirit which has dwelt in us yearns to envy? No OT passage

American Standard Version
Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?

Bible in Basic English
Or does it seem to you that it is for nothing that the holy Writings say, The spirit which God put into our hearts has a strong desire for us?

Hebrew Names Version
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"?

International Standard Version
Or do you think the Scripture means nothing when it says that the Spirit that Godhe">[fn] caused to live in us jealously yearns for us?Exodus 20:5; Numbers 11:29">[fn]Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Numbers 11:29; Proverbs 21:10;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Or do you vainly think that the scripture saith, that In emulation desireth the Spirit who dwelleth in us?

Murdock Translation
Or think ye, that the scripture hath vainly said: The spirit dwelling in us lusteth with envy?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Either do ye thynke that the scripture sayth in vayne, the spirite that dwelleth in vs, lusteth after enuie?

English Revised Version
Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?

World English Bible
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"?

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Do ye think, that the scripture saith in vain, The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth against envy?

Weymouth's New Testament
Or do you suppose that it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "The Spirit which He has caused to dwell in our hearts yearns jealously over us"?

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whether ye gessen, that the scripture seith veynli, The spirit that dwellith in you, coueitith to enuye?

Update Bible Version
Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, The spirit which he made to dwell in us longingly desires to [the point of] envy?

Webster's Bible Translation
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

New English Translation
Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, "The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning"?

New King James Version
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

New Living Translation
Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.

New Life Bible
Do you think the Holy Writings mean nothing when they said, "The Holy Spirit Whom God has given to live in us has a strong desire for us to be faithful to Him"?

New Revised Standard
Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Or think ye that, in vain, the scripture speaketh? Is it, for envying, that the spirit which hath taken an abode within us doth crave?

Douay-Rheims Bible
Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you?

Revised Standard Version
Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us"?

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Ether do ye thinke that the scripture sayth in vayne The sprite that dwelleth in you lusteth eve contrary to envie:

Young's Literal Translation
Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, `To envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Ether do ye thinke yt the scripture sayth in vayne. The sprete yt dwelleth in you, lusteth euen contrary to enuie:

Mace New Testament (1729)
or do you imagine that passage of scripture to be insignificant, "does the spirit that dwells in you, incite you to vice?"

Simplified Cowboy Version
Did you think God was just listening to himself talk when he said, "The spirit I gave you don't take kindly to fence jumpers"?

Contextual Overview

¹What leads to [the unending] quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic] desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]? ²You are jealous and 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]. ³You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. ⁴You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? ⁶But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD and HAUGHTY, BUT [continually] GIVES [the gift of] GRACE TO THE HUMBLE [who turn away from self-righteousness]." ⁷So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. ⁸Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. ⁹Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. ¹⁰Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the scripture: John 7:42, John 10:35, John 19:37, Romans 9:17, Galatians 3:8

The spirit: Genesis 4:5, Genesis 4:6, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Genesis 26:14, Genesis 30:1, Genesis 37:11, Numbers 11:29, Psalms 37:1, Psalms 106:16, Proverbs 21:10, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Isaiah 11:13, Acts 7:9, Romans 1:29, Titus 3:3

to envy: or, enviously

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:9 - lest that Exodus 1:9 - the people Deuteronomy 15:9 - Beware Judges 8:1 - the men 1 Samuel 18:8 - the saying Psalms 73:3 - I was Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 14:30 - envy Proverbs 24:1 - not Proverbs 27:4 - but Ezekiel 31:9 - envied Jonah 4:1 - General Micah 7:19 - subdue Matthew 20:24 - they Matthew 27:18 - he Mark 10:41 - they Mark 15:10 - for envy Luke 19:39 - rebuke Luke 22:24 - General John 3:26 - he that Acts 5:17 - indignation Acts 6:1 - there Acts 13:45 - they Acts 17:5 - moved Romans 4:3 - what Romans 7:17 - sin Romans 13:13 - strife 1 Corinthians 2:12 - not 1 Corinthians 13:4 - envieth Galatians 4:30 - what Galatians 5:17 - the flesh Philippians 1:15 - even Philippians 2:3 - nothing 1 Timothy 5:18 - the scripture 1 Timothy 6:4 - words 1 Peter 2:1 - envies

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
The LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's [innocent] blood is crying out to Me from the ground [for justice].

Genesis 4:11
"And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's [shed] blood from your hand.

Genesis 31:2
Jacob noticed [a change in] the attitude of Laban, and saw that it was not friendly toward him as before.

Genesis 31:5
and he said to them, "I see [a change in] your father's attitude, that he is not friendly toward me as [he was] before; but the God of my father [Isaac] has been with me.

Numbers 16:15
Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, "Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them."

Job 5:2
"For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple (naive).

Psalms 20:3
May He remember all your meal offerings And accept your burnt offering. Selah.

Matthew 20:15
'Am I not lawfully permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things said by Paul, and were slandering him.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain?.... Some think that the apostle refers to a particular passage of Scripture in the Old Testament, and that he took it from Genesis 6:3 as some; or from Exodus 20:5, as others; or from Deuteronomy 7:2 or from Job 5:6 or from Proverbs 21:10 others think he had in view some text in the New Testament; either Romans 12:2 or Galatians 5:17 and some have imagined that he refers to a passage in the apocryphal book:

"For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin.'' (Wisdom 1:4)

and others have been of opinion that it is taken out of some book of Scripture then extant, but now lost, which by no means can be allowed of: the generality of interpreters, who suppose a particular text of Scripture is referred to, fetch it from Numbers 11:29 but it seems best of all to conclude that the apostle has no regard to any one particular passage of Scripture, in which the following words are expressly had, since no such passage appears; but that his meaning is, the sense of the Scripture everywhere, where it speaks of this matter, is to this purpose: nor does it say this, or any thing else in vain; whatever is written there is to answer some end, as for learning, edification, and comfort, for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness; neither with respect to what is before suggested, that what is asked in a right manner, and for a right end, shall be given; and that the love of the world, and the love of God, are things incompatible; nor with respect to what follows:

the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? that is, the depraved spirit of man, the spirit of an unregenerate man; that as it is prone to every lust, and prompts to every sin, the imagination of the thought of man's heart being evil, and that continually, so it instigates to envy the happiness of others; see Genesis 6:5 or this may be put as a distinct question from the other, "does the spirit that dwelleth in us lust to envy?" that is, the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the hearts of his people, as in his temple: the Ethiopic version reads, "the Holy Spirit": and then the sense is, does he lust to envy? no; he lusts against the flesh and the works of it, and envy among the rest; see Galatians 5:17 but he does not lust to it, or provoke to it, or put persons upon it; nor does he, as the Arabic version renders it, "desire that we should envy"; he is a spirit of grace; he bestows grace and favours upon men; and is so far from envying, or putting others upon envying any benefit enjoyed by men, that he increases them, adds to them, and enlarges them, as follows.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain - Few passages of the New Testament have given expositors more perplexity than this. The difficulty has arisen from the fact that no such passage as that which seems here to be quoted is found in the Old Testament; and to meet this difficulty, expositors have resorted to various conjectures and solutions. Some have supposed that the passage is spurious, and that it was at first a gloss in the margin, placed there by some transcriber, and was then introduced into the text; some that the apostle quotes from an apocryphal book; some, that he quotes the general spirit of the Old Testament rather than any particular place; some regard it not as a quotation, but read the two members separately, supplying what is necessary to complete the sense, thus: “Do you think that the Scripture speaks in vain, or without a good reason, when it condemns such a worldly temper? No; that you cannot suppose. Do you imagine that the Spirit of God, which dwelleth in us Christians, leads to covetousness, pride, envy? No. On the contrary, to such as follow his guidance and direction, he gives more abundant grace and favor.” This is the solution proposed by Benson, and adopted by Bloomfield. But this solution is by no means satisfactory. Two things are clear in regard to the passage:

(1) That James meant to adduce something that was said somewhere, or which could be regarded as a quotation, or as authority in the case, for he uses the formula by which such quotations are made; and,

(2) That he meant to refer, not to an apocryphal book, but to the inspired and canonical Scriptures, for he uses a term ἡ γραφὴ hē graphē - the Scripture) which is everywhere employed to denote the Old Testament, and which is nowhere applied to an apocryphal book, Matthew 21:42; Matthew 22:29; Matthew 26:54, Matthew 26:56; John 2:22; John 5:39; John 7:38, John 7:42; John 10:35, et al. The word is used more than fifty times in the New Testament, and is never applied to any books but those which were regarded by the Jews as inspired, and which constitute now the Old Testament, except in 2 Peter 3:16, where it refers to the writings of Paul. The difficulty in the case arises from the fact that no such passage as the one here quoted is found in so many words in the Old Testament, nor any of which it can fairly be regarded as a quotation. The only solution of the difficulty which seems to me to be at all satisfactory, is to suppose that the apostle, in the remark made here in the form of a quotation, refers to the Old Testament, but that he had not his eye on any particular passage, and did not mean to quote the words literally, but meant to refer to what was the current teaching or general spirit of the Old Testament; or that he meant to say that this sentiment was found there, and designed himself to embody the sentiment in words, and to put it into a condensed form.

His eye was on envy as at the bottom of many of the contentions and strifes existing on earth, James 3:16, and of the spirit of the world which prevailed everywhere, James 4:4; and he refers to the general teaching of the Old Testament that the soul is by nature inclined to envy; or that this has a deep lodgement in the heart of man. That truth which was uttered every where in the Scriptures, was not taught “in vain.” The abundant facts which existed showing its developement and operation in contentions, and wars, and a worldly spirit, proved that it was deeply imbedded in the human soul. This general truth, that man is prone to envy, or that there is much in our nature which inclines us to it, is abundantly taught in the Old Testament. Ecclesiastes 4:4, “I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor.” Job 5:2, “wrath killeth, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Proverbs 14:30, “envy is the rottenness of the bones.” Proverbs 27:4, “who is able to stand before envy?” For particular instances of this, and the effects, see Genesis 26:14; Genesis 30:1; Genesis 37:11; Psalms 106:16; Psalms 73:3. These passages prove that there is a strong propensity in human nature to envy, and it was in accordance with the design of the apostle to show this. The effects of envy to which be himself referred evinced the same thing, and demonstrated that the utterance given to this sentiment in the Old Testament was not “in vain,” or was not false, for the records in the Old Testament on the subject found a strong confirmation in the wars and strifes and worldliness of which he was speaking.

Saith in vain - Says falsely;” that is, the testimony thus borne is true. The apostle means that what was said in the Old Testament on the subject found abundant confirmation in the facts which were continually occurring, and especially in those to which he was adverting.

The spirit that dwelleth in us - Many have supposed that the word “spirit” here refers to the Holy Spirit, or the Christian spirit; but in adopting this interpretation they are obliged to render the passage, “the spirit that dwells in us lusteth against envy,” or tends to check and suppress it. But this interpretation is forced and unnatural, and one which the Greek will not well bear. The more obvious interpretation is to refer it to our spirit or disposition as we are by nature, and it is equivalent to saying that we are naturally prone to envy.

Lusteth to envy - Strongly tends to envy. The margin is “enviously,” but the sense is the same. The idea is, that there is in man a strong inclination to look with dissatisfaction on the superior happiness and prosperity of others; to desire to make what they possess our own; or at any rate to deprive them of it by detraction, by fraud, or by robbery. It is this feeling which leads to calumny, to contentions, to wars, and to that strong worldly ambition which makes us anxious to surpass all others, and which is so hostile to the humble and contented spirit of religion. He who could trace all wars and contentions and worldly plans to their source - all the schemes and purposes of even professed Christians, that do so much to mar their religion and to make them worldly-minded, to their real origin - would be surprised to find how much is to be attributed to envy. We are pained that others are more prosperous than we are; we desire to possess what others have, though we have no right to it; and this leads to the various guilty methods which are pursued to lessen their enjoyment of it, or to obtain it ourselves, or to show that they do not possess as much as they are commonly supposed to. This purpose will be accomplished if we can obtain more than they have; or if we can diminish what they actually possess; or if by any statements to which we can give currency in society, the general impression shall be that they do not possess as much wealth, domestic peace, happiness, or honor, as is commonly supposed - for thus the spirit of envy in our bosoms will be gratified.