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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 4:5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/4-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/59_Jas_04_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 4:5 - Warning against Pride" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/james/4-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/james/4-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/james/">James</a> > <a href="/james/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/4-4.htm" title="James 4:4">◄</a> James 4:5 <a href="/james/4-6.htm" title="James 4:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/james/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/james/4.htm">New International Version</a> Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? <a href="/nlt/james/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/james/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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”? <a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? <a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit that He has made to dwell in us yearns with envy"? <a href="/kjv/james/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? <a href="/nkjv/james/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? <a href="/nasb_/james/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? <a href="/nasb/james/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: &#8220He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? <a href="/nasb77/james/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? <a href="/lsb/james/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? <a href="/amp/james/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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? <a href="/csb/james/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? <a href="/hcsb/james/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Or do you think it&#8217s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? <a href="/asv/james/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? <a href="/cev/james/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Do you doubt the Scriptures that say, "God truly cares about the Spirit he has put in us"? <a href="/erv/james/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? <a href="/gwt/james/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, "The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own." <a href="/gnt/james/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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." <a href="/isv/james/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Or do you think the Scripture means nothing when it says that the Spirit that God caused to live in us jealously yearns for us? <a href="/msb/james/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit who dwells in us yearns with envy? <a href="/net/james/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, "The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning"? <a href="/nheb/james/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit which he made to dwell in us yearns jealously"? <a href="/wbt/james/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? <a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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"? <a href="/web/james/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Or, do you think that the Writing says emptily, “The Spirit that has dwelt in us yearns with envy,” <a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit that He has made to dwell in us yearns with envy"? <a href="/ylt/james/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' <a href="/slt/james/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Or think ye that the writing says vainly, That the spirit longs for envy, which dwelt in us?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you? <a href="/cpdv/james/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Or do you think that Scripture says in vain: “The spirit which lives within you desires unto envy?” <a href="/nabre/james/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks without meaning when it says, “The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy”? <a href="/nrsvce/james/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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”?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Or do you think that the scripture said in vain, The pride that dwells in us is provoked by jealousy? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And perhaps you think the Scripture says in vain, “The spirit that dwells within us lusts with jealousy.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Do you suppose that the scripture speaks to no purpose? Does the Spirit that dwells in us incline to envy? No. <a href="/godbey/james/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Whether do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit who dwells in us fights against envy? <a href="/haweis/james/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Think ye that the scripture saith without meaning, The spirit which dwelleth in you strongly urges to envy? <a href="/mace/james/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> or do you imagine that passage of scripture to be insignificant, "does the spirit that dwells in you, incite you to vice?" <a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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"? <a href="/worrell/james/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Or do ye think that the Scripture says in vain, "The spirit that dwells in us has jealous longings?" <a href="/worsley/james/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Do ye think the scripture speaks in vain? or does the Spirit that dwelleth in us, excite to envy? <a href="/parallel/james/4-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=684" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Warning against Pride</a> …4You 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. 5<a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Or</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: dokeite (V-PIA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">do you think</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1124.htm" title="1124: graphē (N-NFS) -- (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.">Scripture</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">says</a> <a href="/greek/2761.htm" title="2761: kenōs (Adv) -- Falsely, in vain, to no purpose. Adverb from kenos; vainly, i.e. To no purpose.">without reason that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/2730.htm" title="2730: katōkisen (V-AIA-3S) -- To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.">He caused to dwell</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.">in</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us</a> <a href="/greek/1971.htm" title="1971: epipothei (V-PIA-3S) -- From epi and potheo; to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession.">yearns</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: Pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">with</a> <a href="/greek/5355.htm" title="5355: phthonon (N-AMS) -- Envy, a grudge, spite. Probably akin to the base of phtheiro; ill-will, i.e. Jealousy.">envy?</a> 6But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/5-17.htm">Galatians 5:17</a> For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. <a href="/romans/8-5.htm">Romans 8:5-9</a> Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. / The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, / because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">1 Corinthians 3:3</a> for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a> Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a> Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. <a href="/romans/7-23.htm">Romans 7:23</a> But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a> Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Ephesians 2:2-3</a> in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a> What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a> Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a> The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Proverbs 21:10</a> The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a> Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Do you think that the scripture said in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy?the scripture.<a href="/john/7-42.htm">John 7:42</a> Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?<a href="/john/10-35.htm">John 10:35</a> If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;<a href="/john/19-37.htm">John 19:37</a> And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.The spirit.<a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Genesis 4:5,6</a> But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell… <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a> And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.<a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a> And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.to envy.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_timothy/4-20.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-34.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/james/4-2.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/james/4-2.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-14.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/job/35-16.htm">Emptily</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">Envies</a> <a href="/james/4-2.htm">Envy</a> <a href="/james/3-16.htm">Envying</a> <a href="/james/3-14.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-16.htm">Intensely</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Lusteth</a> <a href="/james/1-18.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/james/2-23.htm">Scripture</a> <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-25.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-25.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/james/2-26.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/james/3-4.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/james/2-15.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/james/1-7.htm">Think</a> <a href="/james/2-20.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/james/2-23.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/mark/8-2.htm">Yearns</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jude/1-6.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/james/5-18.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-12.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-13.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/job/35-16.htm">Emptily</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">Envies</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">Envy</a> <a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Envying</a> <a href="/james/4-8.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-2.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/revelation/2-22.htm">Intensely</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Lusteth</a> <a href="/james/5-11.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-15.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/james/4-6.htm">Scripture</a> <a href="/revelation/3-1.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/james/4-11.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/james/4-11.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-2.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/james/5-8.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-12.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm">Think</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/james/4-6.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/job/19-27.htm">Yearns</a><div class="vheading2">James 4</div>1. <a href="/james/4-1.htm">We are to strive against covetousness;</a> 4. <a href="/james/4-4.htm">intemperance;</a> 5. <a href="/james/4-5.htm">pride;</a> 11. <a href="/james/4-11.htm">detraction and rash judgment of others;</a> 13. <a href="/james/4-13.htm">and not to be boastful of our future plans.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Or do you think the Scripture says without reason This phrase challenges the reader to consider the authority and purpose of Scripture. It implies that the teachings of Scripture are intentional and meaningful. The rhetorical question suggests that the audience may have been neglecting or misunderstanding the weight of biblical teachings. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (<a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16</a>).that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us This refers to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers, a concept rooted in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a seal and guarantee of their inheritance (<a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Ephesians 1:13-14</a>). The indwelling Spirit is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/ezekiel/36-27.htm">Ezekiel 36:27</a>, where God promises to put His Spirit within His people. This indwelling signifies a new covenant relationship with God, where His laws are written on the hearts of believers (<a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>).yearns with envy? The phrase suggests a deep, intense desire of the Spirit for the devotion and faithfulness of believers. This yearning can be understood in the context of God's jealousy for His people, a theme present throughout the Old Testament (<a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14</a>). God's jealousy is not like human envy but is a righteous desire for His people to remain faithful to Him, avoiding idolatry and spiritual adultery. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, akin to a marriage, where God desires exclusive devotion (<a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. His letter addresses practical Christian living and spiritual maturity. 2. <a href="/topical/r/recipients_of_the_epistle.htm">Recipients of the Epistle</a> The letter is addressed to the "twelve tribes scattered among the nations," indicating Jewish Christians living outside of Israel who were facing trials and temptations. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit.htm">The Spirit</a> Refers to the human spirit or possibly the Holy Spirit, which God has caused to dwell within believers, highlighting the internal conflict between worldly desires and godly living.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_yearning_spirit.htm">Understanding the Yearning Spirit</a> The Greek word for "yearns" suggests an intense longing or desire. This can be understood as the Spirit's desire for our complete devotion to God, contrasting with worldly desires. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_envy.htm">The Danger of Envy</a> Envy is a destructive force that can lead to conflict and division. Recognizing and addressing envy in our lives is crucial for spiritual growth and harmony within the Christian community. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a> Believers are called to live by the Spirit, resisting the pull of worldly desires. This involves daily surrender and seeking God’s guidance through prayer and Scripture. <a href="/topical/s/scripture_as_a_guide.htm">Scripture as a Guide</a> The phrase "do you think the Scripture says without reason" underscores the importance of Scripture as a guide for understanding God’s will and the nature of our spiritual struggles. <a href="/topical/c/cultivating_contentment.htm">Cultivating Contentment</a> Contentment is a spiritual discipline that counters envy. By focusing on gratitude and God’s provision, believers can cultivate a heart of contentment.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 4</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_being_sober-minded.htm">Why are many Christians often perceived as grumpy?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_cedars_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">How should a church address gossip about its pastor?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_harness_spiritual_power_via_rituals.htm">How can one harness spiritual power through rituals?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_'jealous_fire'_fit_god.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24 describes God as a “consuming fire” and “jealous”—how does this anthropomorphic language fit with the idea of an all-powerful, benevolent deity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) Do ye think . . .?--The tone of the Apostle is changed to one of appeal, which, perhaps (but see below), may be rendered thus: Suppose ye that the Scripture saith in vain, The (Holy) Spirit that dwelleth in us jealously regards us as His own? Our Authorised version does not allow of this apparent reference to the Spirit of God indwelling His human temples (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm" title="Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?">1Corinthians 3:16</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm" title="What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?">1Corinthians 6:19</a>, et seq.) for "lusteth to envy," or enviously, would imply evil and not good. It were well that the unfaithful, addressed in <a href="/james/4-4.htm" title="You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.">James 4:4</a>, should bear the general sentiment of this verse in mind, and not fancy such warnings of holy writ were uttered emptily, in vain.Many commentators have been puzzled to say whence the words came which are quoted as authoritative by St. James. Surely the substance was sufficient for him, as for other inspired writers, without a slavish adherence to the form: comp. <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm" title="And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.">Genesis 2:7</a> for the inbreathing of the Spirit, with any such chapter as Deuteronomy 32 for His jealous inquisition. It must, however, be noted that a slightly varied punctuation of the verse will give quite another sense to its questioning. (See Wordsworth.) Suppose ye that the Scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the Spirit, which took up His abode in you, lust to envy? And defensible or not as this translation may be, at least it escapes some of the difficulties of the foregoing. (Exhaustive notes, with references to most authorities, are in Alford; or an easy summary of the matter may be read in Plumptre's St. James.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5, 6. - The difficulty of the passage is well shown by the hesitation of the Revisers. The first clause is rendered, "Or think ye that the Scripture speaketh in vain?" but as an alternative there is suggested in the margin, "Or think ye that the Scripture saith in vain?" as if the following clause were a quotation from Scripture. And of this following clause three possible renderings are suggested. (1) In the text: "Doth the Spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the Scripture saith," etc. (2) Margin 1: "The Spirit which he made to dwell in us he yearneth for even unto jealous envy. But he giveth," etc. (3) Margin 2: "That Spirit which he made to dwell in us yearneth for us even unto jealous envy. But he giveth," etc. Further, it is noted in the margin that some ancient authorities read "dwelleth in us," i.e. κατώκησεν, which is the reading of the Received Text, and so of the A.V. resting upon K, L; א and B being the primary authorities for κατώκισεν. With regard to the first clause, the rendering of the R.V., "speaketh," may be justified by <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Hebrews 9:5</a>. It is possible that St. James was intending to quote <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Proverbs 3:34</a> immediately, but after the introductory formula, η} δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ γραφὴ λέγει, he interposes with the emphatic question, "Is it to envy," etc.? and does not arrive at the quotation till ver. 6, when he introduces it with a fresh formula of quotation, διὸ λέγει, a looseness of construction which is quite natural in a Hebrew. Other views, for which it is believed there is less to be urged, are the following: . . . <a href="/commentaries/james/4-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. do you think δοκεῖτε (dokeite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Scripture γραφὴ (graphē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1124.htm">Strong's 1124: </a> (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ. says λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. without reason [that] κενῶς (kenōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2761.htm">Strong's 2761: </a> Falsely, in vain, to no purpose. Adverb from kenos; vainly, i.e. To no purpose. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit πνεῦμα (pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. He caused to dwell κατῴκισεν (katōkisen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2730.htm">Strong's 2730: </a> To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. us ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. yearns ἐπιποθεῖ (epipothei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1971.htm">Strong's 1971: </a> From epi and potheo; to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession. with Πρὸς (Pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. envy? φθόνον (phthonon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5355.htm">Strong's 5355: </a> Envy, a grudge, spite. Probably akin to the base of phtheiro; ill-will, i.e. Jealousy. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/4-5.htm">NT Letters: James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/4-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 4:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 4:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/4-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 4:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 4:6" /></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>