YAC 4:5 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Or do you think that the scripture says vainly, “The Spirit whom he caused to live in us longs with jealousy”?

UST You must realize that God has purposely told us about this in the Scriptures. There he teaches us that the Spirit he placed in us yearns for us to live our lives in ways that please him.

BSB Or do you think the Scripture says without reason [that] the Spirit[fn] He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?

MSB Or do you think the Scripture says without reason [that] the Spirit[fn] who dwells[fn] in us yearns with envy?

BLB Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit that He has made to dwell in us yearns with envy"?

AICNT Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The spirit {that dwells}[fn] in us yearns with envy”?

4:5, that dwells: Some manuscripts read “that dwelled.” BYZ TR

OEB Do you suppose scripture means nothing when it says, “Envy results from the longings of the spirit which God has implanted within you?”

WEBBE Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”?

LSV Or, do you think that the Writing says emptily, “The Spirit that has dwelt in us yearns with envy,”

FBV Do you think Scripture doesn't mean what it says: that the spirit that he put in us is very jealous?[fn]

4:5 Or “God has placed a spirit in us that is filled with strong desires.”

TCNT Or do you think that the Scripture speaks in vain? The spirit that [fn]dwells in us desires to the point of envy,

4:5 dwells ¦ he made to dwell CT

T4T ◄Surely you remember that God told us in the Scriptures that he eagerly desires that his Spirit, who lives in us, will help us to love God only!/Do you think that it is for no reason that God told us in the Scriptures that he strongly desires that his Spirit, who lives in us, will help us to love God only?► [RHQ] God has a reason for desiring that.

LEB Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, “The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously”?[fn]

4:5 This translation takes “spirit” to be the capacity within people that produces a divided mind and conflicts regarding God; other translations take this to refer to the Holy Spirit: “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which he caused to dwell in us”

BBE Or does it seem to you that it is for nothing that the holy Writings say, The spirit which God put into our hearts has a strong desire for us?

Moff What, do you consider this is an idle word of scripture?--"He yearns jealously for the spirit he set within us.")

Wymth Or do you suppose that it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "The Spirit which He has caused to dwell in our hearts yearns jealously over us"?

ASV Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?

DRA Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you?

YLT Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,'

Drby Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously?

RV Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?
(Or think ye/you_all that the scripture speaketh/speaks in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? )

SLT Or think ye that the writing says vainly, That the spirit longs for envy, which dwelt in us?

Wbstr Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

KJB-1769 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
(Do ye/you_all think that the scripture saith/says in vain, The spirit that dwelleth/dwells in us lusteth to envy? )

KJB-1611 Doe ye thinke that the Scripture saith in vaine, the spirit that dwelleth in vs lusteth [fn]to enuy?
(Do ye/you_all think that the Scripture saith/says in vain, the spirit that dwelleth/dwells in us lusteth to enuy?)

4:5 Or, enuiously.

Bshps Either do ye thynke that the scripture sayth in vayne, the spirite that dwelleth in vs, lusteth after enuie?
(Either do ye/you_all think that the scripture saith/says in vain, the spirit that dwelleth/dwells in us, lusteth after enuie?)

Gnva Doe ye thinke that the Scripture sayeth in vaine, The spirit that dwelleth in vs, lusteth after enuie?
(Do ye/you_all think that the Scripture saith/says in vain, The spirit that dwelleth/dwells in us, lusteth after enuie? )

Cvdl Ether do ye thinke yt the scripture sayth in vayne. The sprete yt dwelleth in you, lusteth euen contrary to enuie:
(Ether do ye/you_all think it the scripture saith/says in vain. The spirit it dwelleth/dwells in you, lusteth even contrary to enuie:)

TNT Ether do ye thinke that the scripture sayth in vayne The sprite that dwelleth in you lusteth even contrary to envie:
(Ether do ye/you_all think that the scripture saith/says in vain The sprite that dwelleth/dwells in you lusteth even contrary to envie: )

Wycl Whether ye gessen, that the scripture seith veynli, The spirit that dwellith in you, coueitith to enuye?
(Whether ye/you_all gessen, that the scripture saith/says vainly, The spirit that dwelleth/dwells in you, coveteth/covets to enuye?)

Luth Oder lasset ihr euch dünken, die Schrift sage umsonst: Den Geist, der in euch wohnet, gelüstet wider den Haß?
(Or let you(pl)/their/her you seem, the writing said for_free: The spirit, the/of_the in you lives/resides, craved against the hate(n)?)

ClVg An putatis quia inaniter Scriptura dicat: Ad invidiam concupiscit spiritus qui habitat in vobis?[fn]
(An you_think because inaniter Scriptura let_him_say: To envy desires spirit who/which he_lives in/into/on to_you(pl)? )

4.5 An putatis? etc. Non debetis litigare: nam spiritus, qui in vobis est, non concupiscit ad invidiam, sed potius facit concordes, et hoc dicit Scriptura: Ad invidiam concupiscit spiritus qui habitat in vobis. Vel: spiritus concupiscit ad, id est contra invidiam, id est hoc desiderat, ut invidia tollatur; vel, cupit ut invideatis mundo, nec ametis eum; vel, spiritus cujuslibet hominis cupit temporalia ad invidiam, quia invidet aliis quod non habet.

4.5 An you_think? etc. Not/No you_must litigare: for/surely spirit, who/which in/into/on to_you(pl) it_is, not/no desires to envy, but rather he_does concordes, and this he_says Scriptura: To envy desires spirit who/which he_lives in/into/on to_you(pl). Vel: spirit desires to, that it_is on_the_contrary envy, that it_is this desires, as envy be_removed; or, desires as invideatis to_the_world, but_not ametis him; or, spirit whoselibet of_man desires temporal_(things) to envy, because envies to_others that not/no has.

UGNT ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ Γραφὴ λέγει, πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ Πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν?
(aʸ dokeite hoti kenōs haʸ Grafaʸ legei, pros fthonon epipothei to Pneuma ho katōkisen en haʸmin?)

SBL-GNT ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ γραφὴ λέγει· Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ ⸀κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν;
(aʸ dokeite hoti kenōs haʸ grafaʸ legei; Pros fthonon epipothei to pneuma ho ⸀katōkisen en haʸmin?)

RP-GNT Ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ γραφὴ λέγει; Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκησεν ἐν ἡμῖν.
(Aʸ dokeite hoti kenōs haʸ grafaʸ legei; Pros fthonon epipothei to pneuma ho katōkaʸsen en haʸmin.)

TC-GNT Ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ γραφὴ λέγει; Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ [fn]κατῴκησεν ἐν ἡμῖν.
(Aʸ dokeite hoti kenōs haʸ grafaʸ legei; Pros fthonon epipothei to pneuma ho katōkaʸsen en haʸmin. )

4:5 κατωκησεν ¦ κατωκισεν CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–12: Believers must submit to God, not to their own selfish desires

In this section, James wrote about the problem of Christians quarreling among themselves. He identified the root of the problem as our human selfish desires. Then he pointed out that the solution is to humble ourselves and submit to God.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Warning against being God’s enemy (UBS)

Submit Yourselves to God (NIV)

Paragraph 4:4–6

James said that to love the world’s evil way is to hate God. God is angry with people who do this.

4:5a–c

Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that his readers should not think that the Scripture says things without reason. In this rhetorical question, James used scripture to support his statement in 4:4. That statement is that friendship with the world cannot exist together with friendship with God.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? (ESV)
^5bThe scripture says, ^5c“He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us.” ^5aDo you^(plur) think that ^5bthe scripture says that without reason?
As a statement. For example:
You^(plur) must not think that there is no truth in the scripture that says that God jealously desires the spirit that he placed in us.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

4:5a

Or do you think

Moreover, do you^(plur) think that
You^(plur) should not think that

Or: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Or often occurs before a rhetorical question. It implies that the following sentence will support James’ statement in 4:4. Here this word is not used to indicate a choice between two options. It is perhaps for that reason that some English versions omit this word.

do you think: The clause do you think introduces a rhetorical question. It implies that the reader should not think that way. One way to translate this clause is to make the entire sentence a statement. For example:

you should certainly not think

Consider what form of question or statement will translate this naturally in your language.

4:5b

the Scripture says without reason

God’s word/message has no purpose when it says
what God says in his book means nothing when he says

the Scripture says: In the clause the Scripture says, the word Scripture is personified. This means that Scripture is spoken of as if it were a person that says things. In some languages, it may be necessary to say that it is God who says these things. For example:

in Scripture, God says

God said in his book

it is written in God’s word

Usually in the New Testament, the words the Scripture says introduce a direct quote from the Old Testament. But here, the sentence that these words introduce does not match any Old Testament sentence very closely. Many commentatorsAlford, page 314; Mayor, page 136; Mitton, page 154; Moo (1985), page 146; Martin, page 149. suggest that 4:5c is a summary of Old Testament teaching.Alternatively, some commentators (Laws, page 174; Hiebert, page 254) and versions (Revised Version (1881): “Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit…?” and JBP: “Or do you think what the Scriptures have to say about this is a mere formality? Do you imagine that this spirit…?”) take the verse as two separate sentences. In this case the words “the scripture” might refer back to 3:4 or forward to the rest of 3:5.However, it is more natural to take the Greek words translated Scripture says as simply introducing what Scripture says. For this reason punctuating as one sentence, as in BSB, is recommended. They say that it is not a quotation of the exact words of a verse in the Old Testament.There are similar cases in John 7:38 and John 7:42. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

scripture teaches

in scripture God teaches

The word Scripture also occurs in 2:8b.

without reason: The Greek word that the BSB translates as without reason means “for no purpose” or “in vain.” James used this word to indicate that the words of Scripture that follow are not useless or worthless words. They are true.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

in vain (RSV)

for nothing (NRSV)

to no purpose (ESV)

no truth (GNT)

4:5c

that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?

that he jealously desires the spirit that he gave us?^(incl)
God created our^(incl) spirit. So, he strongly desires us^(incl) to only love/worship him like a jealous husband wants his wife to love only him.
God put a soul into man to give him life. Because of that, he strongly desires that we^(incl) be only his.

the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as the Spirit He caused to dwell in us is ambiguous. In Greek, it is unclear whether:

the spirit refers to the human spirit or the Holy Spirit
the spirit is the subject or the object of the verb that the BSB translates as yearns with envy

The main ways to interpret the phrase the Spirit are:

It refers to the human spirit and is the object of the verb. According to this interpretation, God has strong feelings of jealousy for us. God will not tolerate his people loving the world. He wants their total loyalty. According to this interpretation, this verse is connected with 4:4. It is a metaphor of God as the jealous husband who has an adulterous wife. For example, the RSV says:
He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us. (NIV11, RSV, ESV)Although only a few English versions follow the recommended interpretation, many commentaries support this interpretation. Some that do are: Huther, pages 181–183; Ropes, pages 262–264; Mitton, pages 154–156; Davids (1982), page 164 (reluctantly); Moo (1985), pages 144–146; Tasker, page 90; Dibelius, page 224. See also C. Spicq, Theological Lexicon of the N.T., Vol. 2 page 59, and Vol. 3 page 434; also Spicq’s earlier article in French “Epipothein, Désirer ou chérir”, Revue Biblique, 1957, pages 184–195, especially 189–191.
It refers to the human spirit and is the subject of the verb. According to this interpretation, the human spirit that God made to live in us has strong envious desires.Adamson (1976), pages 171–173; see also Adamson (1989), pages 330–333. Laws, page 178, takes it as a rhetorical question: “Does the spirit which he made to dwell in us long enviously?” with the implied answer that according to Scripture it does not, it longs for God. According to this interpretation, this verse is connected with 4:1–3. It continues to describe the evil desires that are in humans. For example, the NLT says:
the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy (NIV84, GNT, NET, REB, KJV, NLT)
It refers to the Holy Spirit and is the subject of the verb. According to this interpretation, the Holy Spirit that God sent to live in us his people feels strongly possessive of us.Alford, page 315; Mayor, page 137; Hiebert, pages 255–257; Martin, pages 149–150. Also R. Buth, START 2, pages 11–12. For example, the NCV says:
The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone (BSB, GW, NLT96, NCV)
It refers to the Holy Spirit and is the object of the verb. According to this interpretation, God cares strongly about the Holy Spirit. For example, the CEV says:
God truly cares about the Spirit he has put in us (CEV, NASB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation:

works well grammatically. God is the subject of:
- ^4:5che caused to dwell in us
- ^4:6ahe gives more grace So it is natural that God is also the subject of the verb envies intensely.
fits well with James’ appeal for Christians to turn away from friendship with the world. We must not be friends with the world because:
- if we are friends with the world, we are enemies with God.
- God jealously desires us for himself. He does not want us to be like an adulterous wife.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

God jealously desires for himself the spirit that he placed in us.

God put the spirit into man to give him life. Because of that, he is jealous of what we do with our lives.

This word also occurs in 2:26a.

yearns with envy: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as yearns with envy is literally “desires with jealousy.” Here it describes God as a jealous God who desires that we belong to him alone. (Exodus 20:5 says, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”) Be sure that the way you translate this phrase is an appropriate way to speak about a perfect God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

he jealously desires

God strongly desires that this spirit must submit to him alone.

he wants us to love/worship only him like a jealous husband wants his wife to love only him.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ Γραφὴ λέγει

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ Γραφή λέγει Πρός φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τό Πνεῦμα ὅ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν)

James is using the question form as a teaching tool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question by translating his words as a statement. (In this context, the term vainly means “for no good reason,” not “in a conceited way.”) Alternate translation: [There is a good reason why the Scripture says]

ἡ Γραφὴ λέγει

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ Γραφή λέγει Πρός φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τό Πνεῦμα ὅ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν)

James is describing the general teaching of the Bible, not referring to a specific passage. In cases like this, your language might use the plural instead of the singular. Alternate translation: [the Scriptures say]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

ἡ Γραφὴ λέγει

James is speaking of the Bible as if it could speak on its own. Alternate translation: [it is written in the Scriptures] or [we can read in the Scriptures]

πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ Πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ Γραφή λέγει Πρός φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τό Πνεῦμα ὅ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν)

Here, Spirit could mean: (1) the Holy Spirit, who could be the subject of the verb longs. The idea of the Spirit being jealous would fit with the adultery metaphor in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [The Spirit whom God has caused to live in us longs for us to live faithfully to God] (2) the Holy Spirit, who could be the object of the verb longs, in which case God would be the subject of that verb. This interpretation would also fit with the adultery metaphor. Alternate translation: [God longs jealously for us to live by the Spirit whom he has caused to live in us] (3) the human spirit, in which case the statement would be repeating what James said in [4:2](../04/02.md) about people coveting and envying. Alternate translation: [The spirit that God has caused to live in us longs jealously for things that it does not have]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

ὃ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ Γραφή λέγει Πρός φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τό Πνεῦμα ὅ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν)

Whatever the interpretation of the entire sentence, the pronoun he in this clause refers to God. Alternate translation: [whom God caused to live in us]

Parallel YAC 4:5

Section 4:1–12: Believers must submit to God, not to their own selfish desires

Paragraph 4:4–6

4:5a–c

4:5a

4:5b

4:5c