29 March, 2006

James - A Jealous God

James 4 TNIV
5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

or

James 4 ESV
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?

or

James 4 KJV
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

or

James 4 Darby
Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously?

Wow.

I have seldom seen so many different meanings for a single verse. I read it first in the ESV, and it really makes the most sense there so far as I am concerned, but once again I find myself jealous of everyone who knows how to tease out a meaning from the Greek. Praise the Lord for teachers!

Whatever the verse may exactly say, or not say, God is jealous over us! He is jealous for our holiness. He is jealous for our joy. And the two can never be separated.
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2 comments:

kc bob said...

Here it is from The Message:

And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." (James 4:5)

This speaks to me of the single-minded devotion and fidelity that is required of us ... we require it of our spouses ... He requires it of His bride.

March 30, 2006 10:10 AM
Kevin Knox said...

Very nice. Amen.

March 30, 2006 12:05 PM

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