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

JAMES 4:5KJV
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James 4:5 (KJV)

What does James 4:5 mean?

James 4:5 challenges readers to take Scripture’s warning about envy seriously. In the KJV’s wording, “The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy” describes the inward craving that drives the quarrels James has just condemned.

The key word is “envy” — φθόνος (phthonos). This word normally means resentment of someone else’s advantages or possessions. James has been describing people who desire what they do not have and fight over those desires (James 4:1–3). That setting supports reading the verse as a statement about the human spirit’s tendency toward envy, though the Greek sentence allows another interpretation.

The Greek behind James 4:5

  • “think” — δοκέω (dokeo): To think, suppose, or consider. “Do ye think” introduces a challenging question: do James’s readers suppose Scripture’s words have no bearing on the behavior he is exposing?

  • “vain” — κενῶς (kenos): Emptily, without purpose, or to no effect. “The scripture saith in vain” asks whether Scripture speaks uselessly. James expects the answer to be no: Scripture’s testimony carries weight in explaining their desires and conflicts.

  • “spirit” — πνεῦμα (pneuma): This word can refer to the human spirit or God’s Spirit. Greek does not settle the identity merely by using this word. The KJV’s sentence naturally reads as the human spirit craving enviously. Another interpretation understands God as jealously longing for the spirit dwelling in people; that reading depends on how the whole sentence is understood.

  • “lusteth” — ἐπιποθέω (epipotheo): To long for intensely or yearn after. The word itself does not mean sexual desire or even necessarily sinful desire. Here, “to envy” gives the longing its harmful direction: an intense desire tied to resentment of what others have.

Why James 4:5 matters

  • James is tracing outward conflict to inward desire. “The spirit that dwelleth in us” places the source within people, continuing the explanation of quarrels in James 4:1–3.

  • The next verse supplies a deliberate contrast. After describing envious longing, James says, “But he giveth more grace” (4:6). On the human-spirit reading reflected in the KJV, James moves from the strength of human craving to God’s greater generosity.

Where else these words appear

“lusteth” Greek G1971 · used in 9 verses

  • Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
  • 2 Corinthians 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

“envy” Greek G5355 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
  • Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
  • 1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

“dwelleth” Greek G2730 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
  • Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
  • Hebrews 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

“scripture” Greek G1124 · used in 51 verses

  • Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
  • John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
  • Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.