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James 4 · a question people ask

"Where do wars and fightings among you come from?" (4:1). What does the letter say?

In the text

It answers with another question: "Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?" (4:1). And it goes on, "You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war." (4:2). These notes don't say whether the wars and fightings are battles or quarrels.

The verses

“Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.”
James 4:1-2 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of James 4

James 4: He gives more grace

In James 4, fight and make war (4:2) are verbs Strong's ties to the fightings and wars of 4:1. And "Resist the devil" (4:7) has another Greek verb than "God resists the proud" (4:6).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions