See in Reader
2.1 KiB
Where does the quarreling and disputing among yourselves come from?
This is a rhetorical question that James uses to teach and rebuke his audience. AT: "I know why you are constantly arguing with each other." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)
quarreling and disputing
The words "quarreling" and "disputing" mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize that he is speaking of any kind of conflict between people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet)
yourselves…your…you
In 4:1-3 these pronouns are plural and refers to James' audience. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you)
Does it not arise out of your evil desires
This is a rhetorical question which James uses to rebuke his audience. It can be translated as a statement: "It arises out of your evil desires" or "It is because of your evil desires."
evil desires that war
Here James personifies "evil desires" as a soldier that fights against the believers. It can be translated as "the things you want are evil and you do not care about the needs of other believers." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification)
among your fellow believers?
"in your members." Possible meanings are 1) There is fighting among the local believers or 2) The fighting is internal, between your desire to do evil and good.
You desire what you do not have
"You always want what you do not have."
You kill and you chase
"You kill" is a hyperbole to emphasize how badly they behave in order to get what they want. It can be translated as "You do all kinds of evil things to get what you cannot have." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole)
You fight and quarrel
The word "fight" and "quarrel" mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize how much the people argue among themselves. AT: "You constantly fight." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet)
you ask for bad things
"you asked badly (wrongly)." Possible meanings are 1) "you ask with wrong motives, your attitudes are bad" or 2) "you are asking for wrong or bad things."
spend them
"waste them"