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From where comes conflict, and from where comes fights, among you?1 Is it not from this here – from your own desire that creates conflict among your membership?2
| 1 | From where comes conflict, and from where comes fights, among you: Or, KJV: wars and fightings; PME: feuds and struggles; TCN: fighting and quarreling; MOF: conflicts… wrangles. Who does James mean by “you”? At least he means, “the twelve tribes scattered about.” It is also possible he means the “teachers” of the previous chapter. Wars and fight among teachers is nothing new. It is almost to be expected by the very nature of things. What is the root cause of these conflicts among elders? |
| 2 | Your own desire that creates conflict among your membership: Or, KJV: lusts. It seems likely the word “members” is as Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 12:14, 18 – the individual members of the Church, or Body of Christ. The base reason for these conflicts and contentions is personal selfishness – ambition! Some may interpret this was internal passions within body organs and limbs. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose James 4:1 as the theme verse of chapter four – Stop Fighting. James raises the question why there are so many fights among the Christian community. [1-3] Quarrels come out of greed and envy. Their prayers fail because they ask out of greed. James compares envy and humility. [4-6] Friends of the world are God’s enemies. He quotes Proverbs 3:34 to prove God opposes the proud. He urges submission to God and opposing the Devil. [7-10] Sinning Christians must cleanse and sanctify themselves. He quotes Proverbs 29:23 to prove God will exalt the humble.
Christians must stop speaking against others in the fellowship. [11, 12] By judging others a Christian becomes a judge and thus tries to stand in the place of the Judge. James writes that prideful profits are wicked. [13-17] When planning something a Christian ought to say, “If God wills.” The rich boast in their pretentiousness. It is a sin if one knows how to do good and refuses.
Abba bless those who do not speak against others.
[28 August 2002]
