Skip to content

James 4:3

James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

Ye ask, and receive not,.... Some there were that did ask of God the blessings of his goodness and providence, and yet these were not bestowed on them; the reason was,

because ye ask amiss; not in…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

Ye ask, and receive not - That is, some of you ask, or you ask on some occasions. Though seeking in general what you desire by strife, and without regard to the rights of others, yet you sometimes…

Methodist theologian, 1762–1832

Adam Clarke

Ye ask, and receive not - Some think that this refers to their prayers for the conversion of the heathen; and on the pretense that they were not converted thus; they thought it lawful to extirpate…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

James 4:1-10

The former chapter speaks of envying one another, as the great spring of strifes and contentions; this chapter speaks of a lust after worldly things, and a setting too great a value upon worldly…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

Ye ask, and receive not The words are obviously written as in answer to an implied objection: "Not ask," a man might say; "come and listen to our prayers; no one can accuse us of neglecting our…