James 4:2

Ye lust. Gr. epithumeō, “to yearn for passionately.” Compare James 1:14. Self-interest, if unchecked, grows into the sin of covetousness (see on Ex. 20:17).

Have not. A covetous man never feels that he has fully acquired all that he needs.

Kill. James here states the general truth that unrestrained passion for the satisfaction of personal pleasure often leads to murder (see on Matt. 5:22). He does not necessarily mean that some of those to whom he was writing were actually guilty of murder. Some would change the punctuation of this verse thus: “You lust, and because you do not have, you kill; you strongly desire but you are not able to obtain, so you fight and war.” In the sight of God hatred is as heinous a sin as murder (see on Matt. 5:22).

Cannot obtain. Whatever the result of force and violence, true happiness and satisfaction are not realized.

Fight and war. See on v. 1. Because genuine satisfaction is not found, an endless state of strife exists.

Ask not. These contentious ones depended upon their own efforts for what they desired instead of depending upon God to provide what was best for them. God has implanted legitimate desires and basic wants within the human heart (see on James 1:15), and, in part, happiness is dependent upon satisfying these God-given desires. When men attempt to satisfy these basic desires in illegitimate ways, disappointment, envy, and strife are certain to follow. These church members were not working in harmony with God’s plan for their genuine happiness because they had neglected the partnership of prayer. Prayer implies that a man is willing to seek for what God is willing to give.