SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:3
Pedís, y no recibís; porque pedís mal, para gastar en vuestros deleites.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 4:3
Verse 3. 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 them and possess their goods. Ye ask amiss] kakwv aiteisqe? Ye ask evilly, wickedly. Ye have not the proper dispositions of prayer, and ye have an improper object. Ye ask for worldly prosperity, that ye may employ it in riotous living. This is properly the meaning of the original, ina en taiv hdonaiv umwn dapanhshte, That ye may expend it upon your pleasures. The rabbins have many good observations on asking amiss or asking improperly, and give examples of different kinds of this sort of prayer; the phrase is Jewish and would naturally occur to St. James in writing on this subject. Whether the lusting of which St. James speaks were their desire to make proselytes, in order that they might increase their power and influence by means of such, or whether it were a desire to cast off the Roman yoke, and become independent; the motive and the object were the same, and the prayers were such as God could not hear.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. Ye ask, and receive not , etc.] 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 the faith of a divine promise; nor with thankfulness for past mercies; nor with submission to the will of God; nor with a right end, to do good to others, and to make use of what might be bestowed, for the honour of God, and the interest of Christ: but that ye may consume it upon your lusts ; indulge to intemperance and luxury; as the man that had much goods laid up for many years did, to the neglect of his own soul, ( Luke 12:19) or the rich man, who spent all upon his back and his belly, and took no notice of Lazarus at his gate; ( Luke 16:19).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our ow hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow conten or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God. And let us beware that we do no abuse or misuse the mercies received, by the disposition of the hear when prayers are granted When men ask of God prosperity, they often as with wrong aims and intentions. If we thus seek the things of thi world, it is just in God to deny them. Unbelieving and cold desires be denials; and we may be sure that when prayers are rather the languag of lusts than of graces, they will return empty. Here is a decide warning to avoid all criminal friendships with this world Worldly-mindedness is enmity to God. An enemy may be reconciled, but "enmity" never can be reconciled. A man may have a large portion in things of this life, and yet be kept in the love of God; but he wh sets his heart upon the world, who will conform to it rather than los its friendship, is an enemy to God. So that any one who resolves at all events to be upon friendly terms with the world, must be the enemy of God. Did then the Jews, or the loose professors of Christianity, thin the Scripture spake in vain against this worldly-mindedness? or doe the Holy Spirit who dwells in all Christians, or the new nature whic he creates, produce such fruit? Natural corruption shows itself by envying. The spirit of the world teaches us to lay up, or lay out for ourselves, according to our own fancies; God the Holy Spirit teaches u to be willing to do good to all about us, as we are able. The grace of God will correct and cure the spirit by nature in us; and where he gives grace, he gives another spirit than that of the world. The prou resist God: in their understanding they resist the truths of God; in their will they resist the laws of God; in their passions they resis the providence of God; therefore, no wonder that God resists the proud How wretched the state of those who make God their enemy! God will giv more grace to the humble, because they see their need of it, pray for it are thankful for it, and such shall have it. Submit to God, very #(7). Submit your understanding to the truth of God; submit your will to the will of his precept, the will of his providence. Submi yourselves to God, for he is ready to do you good. If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the whole armour of God, and stand out against him, he will leave us. Le sinners then submit to God, and seek his grace and favour; resistin the devil. All sin must be wept over; here, in godly sorrow, or hereafter, in eternal misery. And the Lord will not refuse to comfor one who really mourns for sin, or to exalt one who humbles himsel before him.
Greek Textus Receptus
αιτειτε 154 5719 και 2532 ου 3756 λαμβανετε 2983 5719 διοτι 1360 κακως 2560 αιτεισθε 154 5731 ινα 2443 εν 1722 ταις 3588 ηδοναις 2237 υμων 5216 δαπανησητε 1159 5661
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Ye ask (aiteite). See on hjrwtwn, besought, Matt. xv. 23. Amiss (kakwv). Lit., evilly: with evil intent, as explained by the following sentence.
Consume it upon (dapanhshte en). More correctly, as Rev., spend it in. The sense is not lay out expense upon your pleasures, but spend in the exercise of; under the dominion of.
