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James 4:3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/james/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/james/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/james/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, that you may spend <i>it</i> in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/james/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume <i>it</i> upon your lusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/james/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend <i>it</i> on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/james/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend <i>what you request</i> on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/james/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/james/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend <i>it</i> on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/james/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend <i>it</i> on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/james/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/james/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/james/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/james/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/james/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/james/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/james/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/james/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/james/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You ask for something but do not get it because you ask for it for the wrong reason—for your own pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/james/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/james/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/james/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You ask, and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/james/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />or you pray and yet do not receive, because you pray wrongly, your object being to waste what you get on some pleasure or another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/james/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/james/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />you ask, and you do not receive, because you ask badly, that you may spend [it] in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, that you may spend <i>it</i> in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/james/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> ye ask, and ye receive not, because evilly ye ask, that in your pleasures ye may spend it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/james/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask wickedly that ye might expend upon your sensual pleasures.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/james/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You ask, and receive not; because you ask amiss: that you may consume it on your concupiscences. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/james/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You ask and you do not receive, because you ask badly, so that you may use it toward your own desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/james/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/james/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/james/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You ask and you do not receive because you do not ask sincerely, you ask that you may satisfy your lusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />You ask and you do not receive, because you ask wickedly so that your lusts may be fed.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/james/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/james/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />you ask, and you receive not, because you ask wickedly, that you may expend it in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/james/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive nothing, because ye ask vilely, in order to consume it on your sensual appetites.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/james/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />you would not obtain it, because you wickedly request to have your passions gratified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />or you pray and yet do not receive, because you pray wrongly, your object being to waste what you get on some pleasure or another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/james/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend <i>it</i> on your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/james/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask wickedly; that ye may spend <i>it</i> in your pleasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/james/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=659" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Warning against Pride</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>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. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: aiteite (V-PIA-2P) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">And when you do ask,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">you do not</a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: lambanete (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">receive,</a> <a href="/greek/1360.htm" title="1360: dioti (Conj) -- On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as.">because</a> <a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: aiteisthe (V-PIM-2P) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">you ask</a> <a href="/greek/2560.htm" title="2560: kakōs (Adv) -- Badly, evilly, wrongly. From kakos; badly.">with wrong motives,</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1159.htm" title="1159: dapanēsēte (V-ASA-2P) -- To spend, bear expense, waste, squander. From dapane; to expend, i.e. to incur cost, or to waste.">you may squander it</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">on</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2237.htm" title="2237: hēdonais (N-DFP) -- From handano; sensual delight; by implication, desire.">pleasures.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">4</span>You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-11</a></span><br />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. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14-15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-13.htm">John 14:13-14</a></span><br />And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-7.htm">John 15:7</a></span><br />If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-23.htm">John 16:23-24</a></span><br />In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-22.htm">1 John 3:22</a></span><br />and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-24.htm">Mark 11:24</a></span><br />Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a></span><br />If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-13</a></span><br />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. / What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a></span><br />Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18</a></span><br />If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a></span><br />You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a></span><br />The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.</p><p class="hdg">ask, and.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/1-6.htm">James 1:6,7</a></b></br> But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8-10</a></b></br> For what <i>is</i> the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-12.htm">Job 35:12</a></b></br> There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.</p><p class="hdg">ye may.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/15-13.htm">Luke 15:13,30</a></b></br> And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/16-1.htm">Luke 16:1,2</a></b></br> And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods… </p><p class="hdg">lusts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1</a></b></br> From whence <i>come</i> wars and fightings among you? <i>come they</i> not hence, <i>even</i> of your lusts that war in your members?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/28-6.htm">Amiss</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-27.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-18.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/acts/23-5.htm">Evilly</a> <a href="/james/4-1.htm">Lusts</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Motives</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">Object</a> <a href="/james/4-1.htm">Passions</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/james/4-1.htm">Pleasures</a> <a href="/james/3-1.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/james/4-2.htm">Request</a> <a href="/titus/3-12.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/john/18-23.htm">Wrongly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/5-16.htm">Amiss</a> <a href="/james/5-3.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/james/4-4.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Evilly</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">Lusts</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Motives</a> <a href="/leviticus/15-4.htm">Object</a> <a href="/james/5-17.htm">Passions</a> <a href="/james/4-15.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">Pleasures</a> <a href="/james/5-7.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">Request</a> <a href="/james/4-13.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/james/5-3.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Wrongly</a><div class="vheading2">James 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">We are to strive against covetousness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">intemperance;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-5.htm">pride;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-11.htm">detraction and rash judgment of others;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-13.htm">and not to be boastful of our future plans.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And when you do ask</b><br>This phrase highlights the act of prayer, a central practice in Christian life. In the biblical context, prayer is a means of communication with God, reflecting a relationship of dependence and trust. The act of asking in prayer is seen throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7</a>, where Jesus encourages believers to ask, seek, and knock. The emphasis here is on the sincerity and intention behind the request.<p><b>you do not receive</b><br>This part of the verse addresses the issue of unanswered prayers. In the broader biblical narrative, there are various reasons why prayers may not be answered, including lack of faith (<a href="/james/1-6.htm">James 1:6-7</a>) or unconfessed sin (<a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18</a>). The concept of not receiving what is asked for is a call to self-examination and alignment with God's will, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/5-14.htm">John 5:14-15</a>, which emphasizes asking according to His will.<p><b>because you ask with wrong motives</b><br>The focus here is on the heart's intention behind the prayer. The Bible frequently addresses the importance of motives, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Proverbs 16:2</a>, which states that the Lord weighs the motives. This phrase suggests that God is concerned not just with the act of asking but with the purity and righteousness of the heart, aligning with the teaching of Jesus in <a href="/matthew/6.htm">Matthew 6:1-18</a> about practicing righteousness for the right reasons.<p><b>that you may squander it on your pleasures</b><br>This phrase points to the misuse of God's blessings for selfish desires. The term "squander" implies wastefulness and a lack of stewardship, which is contrary to biblical teachings on the responsible use of resources (<a href="/luke/16.htm">Luke 16:1-13</a>). The reference to "pleasures" connects to the broader theme of worldly desires versus spiritual priorities, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/2-15.htm">John 2:15-17</a>, which warns against loving the world and its desires. This serves as a reminder of the call to live a life that seeks first the kingdom of God (<a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The author of the epistle, traditionally understood to be James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, addressing practical aspects of Christian living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, who were facing various trials and temptations. James addresses their struggles with worldliness and internal conflicts.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate recipient of prayers, whose will and purposes are central to the teaching in this passage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_motives_in_prayer.htm">The Importance of Motives in Prayer</a></b><br>Our prayers should align with God's will and purposes, not merely our own desires for pleasure or self-indulgence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Regularly examine your motives in prayer. Are you seeking God's glory or personal gain?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/aligning_desires_with_god's_will.htm">Aligning Desires with God's Will</a></b><br>Cultivate a heart that desires what God desires. This involves immersing oneself in Scripture and prayer to understand His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_selfish_prayers.htm">The Consequences of Selfish Prayers</a></b><br>Recognize that prayers driven by selfish motives may not be answered as expected. God desires to give good gifts that align with His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility_in_prayer.htm">The Role of Humility in Prayer</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, acknowledging His sovereignty and wisdom over our lives and desires.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/define_wish_fulfillment..htm">What is the definition of wish fulfillment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_worry_about_those_who_do_wrong.htm">Why don't you receive when you ask incorrectly?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'deny_yourself'.htm">What does 'You have not because you ask not' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_hinders_effective_prayer.htm">What hinders effective prayer?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - An evident allusion to the sermon on the mount, <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7</a>, "<span class="accented">Ask</span>, and it shall be given to you... for every one that asketh receiveth." And yet St. James says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss;" for our Lord elsewhere limits his teaching, "<span class="accented">All</span> things whatsoever ye shall ask <span class="accented">in prayer believing</span>," etc. (<a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a>). <span class="greek">Αἰτεῖτε</span>... <span class="greek">αἰτεῖσθε</span>. The active and middle voices are similarly interchanged in <a href="/1_john/5-15.htm">1 John 5:15</a>, on which Dr. Westcott writes as follows: "The distinction between the middle and the active is not so sharply drawn; but generally the personal reference is suggested by the middle, while the request is left wholly undefined as to its destination by the active." <span class="cmt_word">That ye may consume it upon your lusts</span>; render, with R.V., <span class="accented">that ye may spend it in your pleasures</span>; <span class="greek">ἡδοναί</span>, as in ver. 1. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/james/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[And when] you do ask,</span><br /><span class="grk">αἰτεῖτε</span> <span class="translit">(aiteite)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{you do} not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐ</span> <span class="translit">(ou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">receive,</span><br /><span class="grk">λαμβάνετε</span> <span class="translit">(lambanete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="grk">διότι</span> <span class="translit">(dioti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1360.htm">Strong's 1360: </a> </span><span class="str2">On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you ask</span><br /><span class="grk">αἰτεῖσθε</span> <span class="translit">(aiteisthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with wrong motives,</span><br /><span class="grk">κακῶς</span> <span class="translit">(kakōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2560.htm">Strong's 2560: </a> </span><span class="str2">Badly, evilly, wrongly. From kakos; badly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ἵνα</span> <span class="translit">(hina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> </span><span class="str2">In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you may squander [it]</span><br /><span class="grk">δαπανήσητε</span> <span class="translit">(dapanēsēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1159.htm">Strong's 1159: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spend, bear expense, waste, squander. From dapane; to expend, i.e. to incur cost, or to waste.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pleasures.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡδοναῖς</span> <span class="translit">(hēdonais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2237.htm">Strong's 2237: </a> </span><span class="str2">From handano; sensual delight; by implication, desire.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/james/4-3.htm">James 4:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/james/4-3.htm">NT Letters: James 4:3 You ask and don't receive because you (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 4:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>