the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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James 4:1
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What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
Why are all y'all squabblin' about everyone and everything? Is it not because you have a battle goin' on inside you?
What is the cause of wars and fighting among you? is it not in your desires which are at war in your bodies?
Whence [come] wars and whence fightings among you? [Is it] not thence,—from your pleasures, which war in your members?
Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings among you? Is it not hence, from your pleasures that war in your members?
What causes wars and contentions among you? Is it not the cravings which are ever at war within you for various pleasures?
From whence come warres and fightings among you? come they not hence, euen of your lusts, that warre in your members?
From where do wars and fightings among you come ? Is it not from this, from your lusts warring in your members?
From whence commeth warre and fightynge amonge you: come they not here hence? euen of yor volupteousnesses that rayne in youre mebres?
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others? And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that." As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.
What 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]?
Whence come wars and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members?
What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members?
From whence commeth warre and fighttynge amonge you: come they not here hence? even of youre volupteousnes that rayne in youre members.
From where [come] wars and from where [come] fightings among you? Don't [they come] from here, [even] of your pleasures that war in your members?
From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] from your lusts that war in your members?
Whence [are] wars and fightings among you? not thence -- out of your passions, that are as soldiers in your members?
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you.
Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you?
What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don't they come from the passions at war within you?
Why do you fight and argue with each other? Isn't it because you are full of selfish desires that fight to control your body?
What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it your desires battling inside you?
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
From whence are warres and contentions among you? are they not hence, euen of your pleasures, that fight in your members?
FROM whence come conflicts and quarrels among you? Is it not from the lusts that war in your members?
What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don't they come from the cravings that are at war within you?
Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
Where do those fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your selfish desires that are at war in your bodies, don't they?Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11;">[xr]
From whence are there among you wars and strifes ? Is it not from the lusts which war in your members?
Whence is it, that there are among you fightings and broils? Is it not from the lusts, which war in your members?
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you?
What starts wars and fights among you? Is it not because you want many things and are fighting to have them?
Whence come wars and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members?
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you?
Whence wars and whence fightings among you? are they not from hence - due to your pleasures which are taking the field in your members?
From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are they not hence, from your concupiscences, which war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
From where are conflicts and from where are quarrels among you? Is it not from this, from your pleasures that wage war among your members?
From whence cometh warre and fightyng among you? come they not here hence, euen of your lustes that fight in your members?
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you.
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body's parts?
Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your desires for pleasure, which are constantly fighting within you.
Wherof ben batelis and cheestis among you? Whether not of youre coueitisis, that fiyten in youre membris?
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
whence: James 3:14-18
fightings: or, brawlings
come they: James 1:14, Genesis 4:5-8, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21-23, John 8:44, Romans 8:7, 1 Timothy 6:4-10, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Peter 4:2, 1 Peter 4:3, 2 Peter 2:18, 2 Peter 3:3, 1 John 2:15-17, Jude 1:16 -18
lusts: or, pleasures, James 4:3
in: Romans 7:5, Romans 7:23, Galatians 5:17, Colossians 3:5
Reciprocal: Genesis 8:21 - the imagination Genesis 13:7 - a strife Judges 12:1 - we will burn 2 Samuel 19:43 - the words 1 Kings 12:14 - My father made 2 Chronicles 10:14 - My father Psalms 68:30 - delight Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 20:3 - but Proverbs 21:10 - soul Jeremiah 7:9 - steal Jeremiah 41:1 - of the Ezekiel 20:31 - and shall Amos 4:12 - prepare Zechariah 11:14 - I cut Matthew 20:24 - they Matthew 24:12 - because Mark 7:20 - General Acts 23:10 - fearing Romans 6:12 - in the lusts Romans 6:13 - Neither 1 Corinthians 1:11 - that there 1 Corinthians 3:3 - for whereas 1 Corinthians 6:7 - there 2 Corinthians 12:20 - debates Galatians 5:15 - General Ephesians 2:3 - in the Ephesians 4:31 - wrath Philippians 2:14 - disputings Colossians 2:18 - fleshly 1 Timothy 3:3 - a brawler 2 Peter 1:4 - having 1 John 3:15 - hateth
Cross-References
not acting like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: but why did he slay him? because his own actions were evil, and his brother's were virtuous.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
From whence come wars and fightings among you?.... Which are to be understood, not of public and national wars, such as might be between the Jews and other nations at this time; for the apostle is not writing to the Jews in Judea, as a nation, or body politic, but to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, and to such of them as were Christians; nor were Christians in general as yet increased, and become such large bodies, or were whole nations become Christians, and much less at war one against another, which has been the case since; and which, when it is, generally speaking arises from a lust after an increase of power; from the pride and ambitious views of men, and their envy at the happiness of other princes and states: nor do these design theological debates and disputes, or contentions about religious principles; but rather lawsuits, commenced before Heathen magistrates, by the rich, to the oppression of the poor; see James 2:6 though it seems best of all to interpret them of those stirs and bustlings, strifes, contentions, and quarrels, about honours and riches; endeavouring to get them by unlawful methods, at least at the expense of their own peace, and that of others:
[come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members? as pride, envy, covetousness, ambition, c. which, like so many soldiers, are stationed and quartered in the members of the body, and war against the soul for in the believer, or converted man, however, there is as it were two armies; a law in the members, warring against the law of the mind; the flesh against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and from this inward war arise external ones; or at least from the corruption of nature, which militates against all that is good, all quarrels and contentions, whether public or private, of a greater or lesser nature, and consequence, spring.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
From whence come wars and fightings among you? - Margin, “brawlings.” The reference is to strifes and contentions of all kinds; and the question, then, as it is now, was an important one, what was their source or origin? The answer is given in the succeeding part of the verse. Some have supposed that the apostle refers here to the contests and seditions existing among the Jews, which afterwards broke out in rebellion against the Roman authority, and which led to the overthrow of the Jewish nation. But the more probable reference is to domestic broils, and to the strifes of sects and parties; to the disputes which were carried on among the Jewish people, and which perhaps led to scenes of violence, and to popular outbreaks among themselves. When the apostle says “among you,” it is not necessary to suppose that he refers to those who were members of the Christian church as actually engaged in these strifes, though he was writing to such; but he speaks of them as a part of the Jewish people, and refers to the contentions which prevailed among them as a people - contentions in which those who were Christian converts were in great danger of participating, by being drawn into their controversies, and partaking of the spirit of strife which existed among their countrymen. It is known that such a spirit of contention prevailed among the Jews at that time in an eminent degree, and it was well to put those among them who professed to be Christians on their guard against such a spirit, by stating the causes of all wars and contentions. The solution which the apostle has given of the causes of the strifes prevailing then, will apply substantially to all the wars which have ever existed on the earth.
Come they not hence, even of your lusts? - Is not this the true source of all war and contention? The word rendered “lusts” is in the margin rendered “pleasures.” This is the usual meaning of the word (ἡδονὴ hēdonē); but it is commonly applied to the pleasures of sense, and thence denotes desire, appetite, lust. It may be applied to any desire of sensual gratification, and then to the indulgence of any corrupt propensity of the mind. The lust or desire of rapine, of plunder, of ambition, of fame, of a more extended dominion, I would be properly embraced in the meaning of the word. The word would equally comprehend the spirit which leads to a brawl in the street, and that which prompted to the conquests of Alexander, Caesar, or Napoleon. All this is the same spirit evinced on a larger or smaller scale.
That war in your members - The word “member” (μέλος melos) denotes, properly, a limb or member of the body; but it is used in the New Testament to denote the members of the body collectively; that is, the body itself as the seat of the desires and passions, Romans 6:13, Romans 6:19; Romans 7:5, Romans 7:23; Colossians 3:5. The word war here refers to the conflict between those passions which have their seat in the flesh, and the better principles of the mind and conscience, producing a state of agitation and conflict. See the notes at Romans 7:23. Compare Galatians 5:17. Those corrupt passions which have their seat in the flesh, the apostle says are the causes of war. Most of the wars which have occurred in the world can be traced to what the apostle here calls lusts. The desire of booty, the love of conquest, the ambition for extended rule, the gratification of revenge, these and similar causes have led to all the wars that have desolated the earth. Justice, equity, the fear of God, the spirit of true religion, never originated any war, but the corrupt passions of men have made the earth one great battle-field. If true religion existed among all men, there would be no more war. War always supposes that wrong has been done on one side or the other, and that one party or the other, or both, is indisposed to do right. The spirit of justice, equity, and truth, which the religion of Christ would implant in the human heart, would put an end to war forever.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
CHAPTER IV.
The origin of wars and contentions, and the wretched lot of
those who are engaged in them, 1, 2.
Why so little heavenly good is obtained, 3.
The friendship of the world is enmity with God, 4, 5.
God resists the proud, 6.
Men should submit to God, and pray, 7, 8.
Should humble themselves, 9, 10.
And not speak evil of each other, 11, 12.
The impiety of those who consult not the will of God, and
depend not on his providence, 13-15.
The sin of him who knows the will of God, and does not do it,
16, 17.
NOTES ON CHAP. IV.
Verse James 4:1. From whence come wars and fightings — About the time in which St. James wrote, whether we follow the earlier or the later date of this epistle, we find, according to the accounts given by Josephus, Bell. Jud. lib. ii. c. 17, c., that the Jews, under pretence of defending their religion, and procuring that liberty to which they believed themselves entitled, made various insurrections in Judea against the Romans, which occasioned much bloodshed and misery to their nation. The factions also, into which the Jews were split, had violent contentions among themselves, in which they massacred and plundered each other. In the provinces, likewise, the Jews became very turbulent particularly in Alexandria, and different other parts of Egypt, of Syria, and other places, where they made war against the heathens, killing many, and being massacred in their turn. They were led to these outrages by the opinion that they were bound by their law to extirpate idolatry, and to kill all those who would not become proselytes to Judaism. These are probably the wars and fightings to which St. James alludes; and which they undertook rather from a principle of covetousness than from any sincere desire to convert the heathen. See Macknight.
Come they not hence - of your lusts — This was the principle from which these Jewish contentions and predatory wars proceeded, and the principle from which all the wars that have afflicted and desolated the world have proceeded. One nation or king covets another's territory or property; and, as conquest is supposed to give right to all the possessions gained by it, they kill, slay, burn, and destroy, till one is overcome or exhausted, and then the other makes his own terms; or, several neighbouring potentates fall upon one that is weak; and, after murdering one half of the people, partition among themselves the fallen king's territory; just as the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians have done with the kingdom of Poland! - a stain upon their justice and policy which no lapse of time can ever wash out.
These wars and fightings could not be attributed to the Christians in that time; for, howsoever fallen or degenerate, they had no power to raise contentions; and no political consequence to enable them to resist their enemies by the edge of the sword, or resistance of any kind.
