Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
AGAINST FIGHTINGS AND THEIR SOURCE; WORLDLY LUSTS; UNCHARITABLE JUDGMENTS, AND PRESUMPTUOUS RECKONING ON THE FUTURE. (Jam. 4:1-17)
whence--The cause of quarrels is often sought in external circumstances, whereas internal lusts are the true origin.
wars, etc.--contrasted with the "peace" of heavenly wisdom. "Fightings" are the active carrying on of "wars." The best authorities have a second "whence" before "fightings." Tumults marked the era before the destruction of Jerusalem when James wrote. He indirectly alludes to these. The members are the first seat of war; thence it passes to conflict between man and man, nation and nation.
come they not, etc.--an appeal to their consciences.
lusts--literally, "pleasures," that is, the lusts which prompt you to "desire" (see on James 4:2) pleasures; whence you seek self at the cost of your neighbor, and hence flow "fightings."
that war--"campaign, as an army of soldiers encamped within" [ALFORD] the soul; tumultuously war against the interests of your fellow men, while lusting to advance self. But while warring thus against others they (without his knowledge) war against the soul of the man himself, and against the Spirit; therefore they must be "mortified" by the Christian.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
James 4:2
James 4:4
James 4:5
James 4:11
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