Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye lust, х epithumeite (G1937)] - a different word from James 4:1; ye set your mind or heart on an object.
Have not. Desire does not ensure possession. For this "ye kill" (not as margin, without authority, 'envy'). Not probably in a literal sense, but 'kill and envy' х zeeloute (G2206)] - i:e., harass and oppress through envy (Drusius). Compare Zechariah 11:5, through envy, hate and desire to get out of your way; so are 'murderers' in God's eyes (Estius). If literal murder (Alford) were meant, it would not occur so early in the series; nor had Christians as yet reached so open criminality. In the Spirit's application to all ages, literal killing is included, from the desire to possess: so David and Ahab. There is a climax: 'ye desire,' individual lust for an object; 'ye kill and envy,' the feeling and action of individuals against individuals; "ye fight and war," the action of many against many.
Ye have not, because ye ask not. God promises to tense who pray, not fight. The petition of the lustful, murderous, and contentious is not recognized by God as prayer. If ye prayed, there would be no "wars and fightings." This last clause answers the question, James 4:1.