James 4:5,6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Do ye think, &c.— Dr. Benson paraphrases the passage as follows: "Do you think that the scripture speaketh in vain, or without a very good reason, when it condemns such a worldly temper?—No, that you cannot rationally suppose. Do you imagine that the Spirit of God, which dwells in us Christians, leadeth us to covetousness, pride, or envy? No, by no means. On the contrary, (James 4:6.) unto such as follow his guidance and direction, and excel in love, humility, and moderation as to the things of this world, he sheweth greater favour. Wherefore the scripture faith,God setteth himself, as it were, in battle-array, to oppose the proud and envious, but sheweth favour unto such as are humble and obedient, (see Proverbs 3:34.)" And this interpretation he would support in the following manner: The apostle had asked one question, James 4:4. Know ye not that the law of this world it enmity to God? To that question he himself gave no answer, but left it to them to supply the answer, as most plain and obvious: and in James 4:5 we suppose him to ask two questions,—giving no express answer to either; but, as is very usual with poets and orators, leaving his readers to supply the answer themselves. In the first question there seems to be an ellipsis, which, if it was supplied, would run thus: "Do you think that the scripture speaketh in vain, or without reason, when it condemns this worldly temper?" — The answer, if expressed, would have been ουδαμως, by no means. The second question is, "Doth the Spirit which dwelleth in us, lust to envy?" The answer, if expressed, would be the same again; by no means.