SIL Translator’s Notes on James 2012 – Page 9

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:14

Paragraph 3:14–16

In 3:14–16, James discussed false wisdom. People who have envy and personal ambition show that the wisdom that they claim to have is false. It does not come from God.

3:14a–b

if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts: This clause begins with the word if. But James was assuming that some of his readers did have bitter envy and selfish ambition. In some languages, it may be best not to translate this as an “if” sentence. It may be better to say:

Some of you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts.

From the context, it seems that James was still addressing men who wanted to be recognized as teachers in the church. No doubt there was more than one teacher, and they were competing with one another. Every teacher and his supporters thought that their way was correct. They were dedicated to their way so much that they argued bitterly and fiercely with their opponents.

3:14a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces a contrast with 3:13c. The “bitter envy and selfish ambition” that James saw in people are in contrast to the “humility” (3:13c) that he wanted to see.

you harbor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as harbor is literally “have” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this word are:

you have (NET Bible)
-or-
you are (New Century Version)

bitter jealousy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bitter is often used to describe water that is not drinkable because of its bad taste (as it was used in 3:11). It is used figuratively here to refer to an attitude that is harsh, unpleasant, and resentful.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as jealousy also means “envy.” It is intense, negative feelings when someone else succeeds in ways that you have not succeeded.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

bitter envy (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
severe envy
-or-
very jealous
-or-
extremely unhappy when others succeed

3:14b

and selfish ambition: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as selfish ambition can also be translated as “selfishness” (as in the NET Bible). It refers to the attitude of someone who works to advance his own interests even if it harms or offends others.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

self-centered ambition (God’s Word)
-or-
selfishness (NET Bible)
-or-
and you want only you yourself to be dominant
-or-
and you only think about yourself
-or-
want to succeed more than others are succeeding

In this verse, James seems to have been warning teachers not to seek to increase the number of people in the church who supported them. He was also warning their groups of supporters not to promote their own teacher and try to destroy the reputation of the other teachers.

This same word occurs in Philippians 2:3–4.

in your hearts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hearts refers to the part of a person where his thoughts and feelings come from. Some languages refer to this part of a person as the liver or stomach. In other languages, it may be most natural to omit this phrase altogether and leave the meaning implicit. For example:

if you are bitterly jealous and selfish

Or you may translate it in another way that refers to someone’s inward thoughts and attitudes. For example:

if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness inside yourself
-or-
if you are bitterly jealous and filled with self-centered ambition (God’s Word)

3:14c

do not boast in it: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do not boast in it is literally “do not boast” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Most scholars agree that the boast is a claim to be wise. You may want to make this clear in your translation. For example:

do not boast of your wisdom (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
don’t brag about being wise (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

boast: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as boast here means to brag or say good things about oneself. James was telling his readers not to make confident or arrogant claims that they were wise.

3:14d

or deny the truth: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deny the truth is literally “do not lie against the truth.” There are several ways to interpret this clause. The two most common ways are: (There is a third view: the truth which is contradicted is the truth that true wisdom is accompanied by meekness. When someone claims to be wise but is full of selfishness and jealousy, his life contradicts this truth. (See Martin, pages 130–131; Moo (2000), page 172; Laws, page 160–161.))

(1) The word truth refers to the truth regarding the boast that they are wise. According to this interpretation, those who boasted that they were wise were not telling the truth. They were lying. (Huther, page 167; Mayor, page 123; Mitton, page 137; Davids (1982), page 151.) For example:

^14cDon’t say that you are wise ^14dwhen it isn’t true. (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Living Translation, 1996 edition; possibly Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version (These last four versions which speak about hiding, covering up, or defying the truth may mean “do not cover up the truth that you are really full of jealousy and selfish ambition and so cannot have true wisdom.”))

(2) The word truth refers to the truth that is found in the gospel or God’s word. (Or it may refer more specifically to the truth about what wisdom really is like.) According to this interpretation, those who boasted that they were wise “denied, contradicted, or hid from others” the truth of the gospel by the way they lived. They prevented or hindered people from knowing what real truth was.

Many English translations are ambiguous, and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

This is a lie.
-or-
Do not lie like that.
-or-
You are lying. It’s not true.
-or-
when what you do contradicts the truth

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:15

3:15a

Such wisdom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Such wisdom refers to the false type of wisdom indicated by the pronoun “it” in 3:14c. James was critical of this type of wisdom. He did not think that it was really wisdom at all.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

That kind of wisdom (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
This so-called wisdom
-or-
The kind of wisdom that is like that
-or-
This is not the kind of wisdom that

does not come from above: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as does not come down from above means that this wisdom did not come from God. Those people who claimed to be wise and yet had bitterness in their hearts did not have the true wisdom that is from God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

does not come from above (NET Bible)
-or-
does not come from God (New Century Version)

The phrase “is from above” also occurs in 1:17a.

General Comment on 3:15a

Some other ways to translate 3:15a are:

God is not the one who gives such wisdom.
-or-
God is not the one who makes people wise like that.

3:15b

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a strong contrast. The contrast is between the place where this false wisdom (3:15a) does not come from and the place where this wisdom (3:15b–d) actually does come from.

This same conjunction occurs in 2:18a.

earthly: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as earthly indicates that false wisdom comes from the earth. It comes from humans. This word contrasts with the word “above” in 3:15a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

from the world (New Century Version)
-or-
it comes from this world (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
it comes from people here on the earth

3:15c

unspiritual: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unspiritual indicates that false wisdom comes from natural, human life. In other words, this type of wisdom comes from people who do not have the Spirit of God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

It comes from the thoughts of human beings.
-or-
It does not come from the Holy Spirit.
-or-
It comes from people who do not have the Holy Spirit in them.

3:15d

demonic: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demonic is literally “of demons.” This indicates that false wisdom comes from demons. When people are guided by this kind of wisdom, they do the kind of wicked things that demons do.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

devilish (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
demonic (Good News Translation)
-or-
it is from the devil (New Century Version)
-or-
and comes from the devil himself (Contemporary English Version)

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:16

3:16a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces the basis for the comment in 3:15. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction.

where jealousy and selfish ambition exist: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as where jealousy and selfish ambition exist is literally “where envy and selfish ambition.” There is no verb in Greek here. James meant “where there is envy and selfish ambition….”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

where you have envy and selfish ambition (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
Whenever people are jealous or selfish (Contemporary English Version)

jealousy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as jealousy is the same word as in 3:14a–b. It can also mean “envy”.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

envious
-or-
jealous (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
unhappy when others succeed

selfish ambition: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as selfish ambition can also be translated as “selfishness” (as in the NET Bible). This is the same word as in 3:14a–b. It refers to the attitude of someone who works to advance his own interests even if it harms or offends others. Here you may use the same word as in 3:14, or you may use a synonym.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

selfishness (NET Bible)
-or-
rivalry (God’s Word)

For some other ways to translate this word, see the examples at 3:14a–b.

3:16b

there will be disorder: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disorder describes an unstable state of affairs. It is the opposite of peace and calm. In this context, it means unrest in the church community. The adjective related to this word is used in 1:8b (“unstable”) and 3:8b (“restless”).

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there you will have chaos
-or-
there will be confusion (New Century Version)
-or-
you also find disharmony (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
they will cause trouble

3:16c

every evil practice: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every evil practice means “all kinds of bad actions/behavior.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

every kind of evil (God’s Word)
-or-
wickedness of every kind (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
all kinds of wicked deeds

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:17

Paragraph 3:17–18

This paragraph discusses true wisdom. This wisdom is from God.

3:17

In this verse, James used seven Greek terms to describe true wisdom. The number of words that you need in your language to translate these seven terms is not the important matter. In some languages, it may be natural to translate these seven Greek terms with fewer than seven terms. In other languages, more than seven terms may be needed. For example, the Contemporary English Version uses eight terms:

But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.

You should use the number of terms necessary in your language to cover the same area of meaning that the Greek does with its seven terms.

3:17a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces a contrast. The contrast is between earthly wisdom (in 3:15) and heavenly wisdom (here in 3:17).

the wisdom from above: The term “from above” refers to God. For example:

the wisdom that comes from God (New Century Version)

(This same term also occurs in 3:15a.)

This clause contains a figure of speech called personification. In this personification, James speaks of wisdom as if it were a person who is pure, peace-loving, considerate, and so on.

There are at least two ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the personification. For example:

the wisdom from above (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
the wisdom that comes from above (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the wisdom that God gives

• Translate the meaning. For example:

the person whose wisdom comes from God
-or-
the person whom God makes wise

is first of all pure: The phrase first of all means “most importantly.” James listed seven Greek terms to describe wisdom. Being pure is the most important one.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

is firstly pure
-or-
is most importantly pure

In some languages, the most important term in a list occurs last. If this is the case in your language, you should put your word for “pure” at the end of the list.

pure: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pure means “free from faults,” and “morally undefiled.” If a person is pure, he is not contaminated by any desires that do not come from God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

faultless
-or-
without sinful desires
-or-
only desires to please God

3:17b

peace-loving: A peace-loving person is someone who has peaceful relationships with other people. He also helps others get along peacefully. For example, he may try to stop people from quarreling or try to make peace among enemies.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

peaceful (Good News Translation)
-or-
cooperative
-or-
friendly (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
does not cause quarrels/fights

3:17c

gentle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gentle in the sense of not insisting on one’s own rights and opinions. A person with this quality considers the feelings and needs of others. This word often describes a leader (king or judge) who is considerate/merciful in dealing with people rather than being strict and severe.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

considerate (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
considers the opinions/needs of others
-or-
respectful to others
-or-
not harsh toward people

3:17d

accommodating: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accommodating refers to someone who is:

(a) open to listen to and be persuaded by the good reasons and ideas of others

(b) obedient and submissive

Such a person is not stubborn. If you have a word that combines the ideas of (a) and (b), it would be good to use it here. If you have words that mean either (a) or (b), it is recommended that you choose a word that means (a).

Some other ways to translate this word are:

willing to yield (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
open to reason (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
not stubborn
-or-
open-minded (Revised English Bible)
-or-
listens to what other people say

3:17e

full of mercy: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as full of mercy means always ready to show kindness to people who are in need. It is not just feeling sympathetic but includes doing deeds that express love and concern for them.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

completely merciful
-or-
has pity/mercy
-or-
always ready to help those who are troubled (New Century Version)

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:18

3:18a–b

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness: This sentence is a proverb. It also contains a metaphor. There are at least two main issues to consider as you translate this verse.

Issue 1: How to translate naturally

This Greek sentence is more literally “the fruit/harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by the ones making peace.” It may be strange to speak of a harvest being sown. So it may be more natural to speak of sowing seeds that result in a harvest. For example:

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

Issue 2: How to translate the metaphor

The words sow and raise a harvest are a metaphor. James compared the activity of sowing (seeds) and harvesting a crop to the activity of a peacemaker. These activities are similar in that certain actions naturally lead to certain results. Just as planting a crop leads to a harvest, promoting peace among the community of believers leads to righteous actions in that community.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

Peacemakers are like people who plant and then harvest a crop. When they make/promote peace, it results in righteous actions.

• Translate the meaning without using a metaphor. For example:

When people live peacefully and help others to be at peace, then the result is righteous actions in their lives and the lives of others.

3:18a

Peacemakers who sow in peace: The phrase who sow in peace describes all peacemakers. It does not indicate that some peacemakers sow in peace and others do not.

Some ways to make this clear are:

When people who are peacemakers sow in peace
-or-
Peacemakers, because they sow in peace

Peacemakers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Peacemakers is literally “those who make peace” (as in the Revised Standard Version). It refers to people who:

(a) live in peace with other people, and

(b) help others to stop quarreling and live together peacefully.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

People who live peacefully and who help others to live together peacefully
-or-
People who live in peace and who help others stop quarreling
-or-
Those who are peaceful and who settle conflicts

who sow in peace: The way you translate the phrase in peace will depend on whether you keep the metaphor or translate the meaning. For example:

• If you keep the metaphor, the word peace here refers to that which is sown. For example:

The peace sown by peacemakers (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
When peacemakers plant seeds of peace (Contemporary English Version)

• If you translate the meaning, the phrase in peace refers to the manner or attitude in which peacemakers act. In other words, peacemakers do things in a manner or attitude that leads to peace between people. For example:

When people live peacefully and help others to be at peace
-or-
When people behave in a peaceable way

3:18b

reap the fruit of righteousness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reap the fruit of righteousness is literally “a crop/harvest of righteousness.” It is a noun phrase. Some versions, like the Berean Standard Bible, translate it as a verb phrase. (Some other examples are below.)

The phrase the fruit of righteousness means “a harvest that consists of righteousness.” Right living that pleases God is the fruit or crop that is produced by wise people who sow peace.

The way you translate this phrase will depend on whether you keep the metaphor or translate the meaning. For example:

• If you keep the metaphor, you will translate the word harvest literally. For example:

reap a harvest of righteousness (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
they will harvest justice (Contemporary English Version)

• If you translate the meaning, you will translate the word fruit as “result” or “produce” or some similar word. For example:

then the result is righteous actions in their lives and the lives of others
-or-
it produces righteousness

righteousness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness means:

(a) actions that are right and good in God’s sight. Righteous actions will result when people live in peace with others and promote peace.

(b) acting in a right and fair way toward other people. Peaceful people who promote peace will reap justice in return.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

good acts/behavior
-or-
right deeds
-or-
goodness (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 4:1–3

In this paragraph, James discussed why Christian people quarrel with each other. He introduced this topic by means of a rhetorical question (4:1a). He then responded to his question, using another rhetorical question (4:1b). Christians quarrel because they selfishly desire things. In 4:2–3 he explained the answer in more detail.

4:1a

What causes conflicts and quarrels among you?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to introduce a new topic. He wanted his readers to think about what was causing people in the church to quarrel and fight with one another.

Some ways to introduce this new topic are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? (Good News Translation)

• As a command/imperative form to draw the readers’ attention to the new topic. For example:

Now consider what causes you^(plur) to fight…
-or-
Think about why you^(plur) fight….

• As a statement expressing James’ wish. For example:

I want you^(plur) to think about why you fight.

Use a natural way in your language to introduce this new topic.

What causes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as What causes is more literally “From where.” For example:

Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? (NET Bible)

The conflicts and quarrels come from inside people. So in some languages, it is more natural to say:

What causes…
-or-
Why do you fight and argue with each other? (Contemporary English Version)

conflicts and quarrels: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as conflicts and quarrels refer to serious conflicts. These words can refer to both physical fighting and verbal arguments.

Some other ways to translate these words are:

fights and arguments (New Century Version)
-or-
conflicts and disputes (New Revised Standard Version)

Notice the plural forms. This shows that these conflicts were happening frequently. James was not thinking of just one problem.

In some languages, it will be more natural to translate these nouns as verbs. For example:

you fight and quarrel so often

The words conflicts and quarrels are a doublet. This means that these two words mean almost the same thing. In some languages, both words can be translated by one word. For example:

Where do your frequent conflicts come from?

among you: The phrase among you indicates that James was talking about quarrels and disputes among Christian people.

4:1b–c

Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a response to the rhetorical question in 4:1a. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that the fights and quarrels came from people’s evil desires.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
They come from your^(plur) desires that battle within you, right?

• As a statement. For example:

They come from the selfish desires that war within you. (New Century Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

James was not informing his readers of something they did not know. He was reminding them of something they already knew.

4:1b

they: The pronoun they refers to the “fights and quarrels” in 4:1a.

come from: Use a verb that corresponds with the verb in 4:1a. For example, if you used the verb “come from” in 4:1a, you can use come from here. If you used the verb “causes” in 4:1a, you may want to use “caused” here. For example:

Aren’t they caused by…? (God’s Word)

the passions: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as passions here refers to wrong, selfish desires. These passions are desires for personal wealth, glory, and pleasure.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

selfish desires (God’s Word)
-or-
desires for pleasure (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it is more natural to translate the phrase the passions with a clause. For example:

you^(plur) selfishly desire to have
-or-
you^(plur) really want

4:1c

at war within you: The clause at war within you refers to your desires “which are constantly fighting within you.” (Good News Translation)

This clause is a figure of speech called personification. The word “passions” in 4:1b is the subject of the word war. It is as if the “passions” were people who could fight.

There are at least two ways to translate this personification:

• Keep the figure of speech. For example:

that fight to control you (God’s Word)

• Translate the meaning of the figure. For example:

that are opposed/contrary to what you should want
-or-
that are against your desire to do good

The text does not state against whom or against what the desires of the person are fighting. There are basically three interpretations:

(1) The desires in a person are fighting a war against his conscience or his soul. The struggle is inside him. (Interpretation (1) is supported by Mayor, page 129; Adamson (1976), page 166; Hiebert, page 244; Davids (1982), page 157; Moo (1985), page 139.)

(2) The desires in a person are fighting a war against other people as he tries to do what pleases God and not what pleases them. (Interpretation (2) is supported by Alford, page 312; Huther, page 127; Ropes, page 253; Martin, page 140.)

(3) The different desires in a person are fighting a war with each other inside the person. (Interpretation (3) is supported by Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English and by Laws, page 168.)

English versions do not say whom the desires are fighting. If you must be specific, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

within you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as within you can also be translated as:

inside you (NET Bible)
-or-
in your^(plur) hearts
-or-
in your^(plur) souls/spirits

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:2

4:2a–f

Scholars disagree over how to punctuate this verse. The problem centers on how the word “kill/murder” is connected to the rest of the verse. The two interpretations are:

(1) The verb “kill/murder” is primarily connected to what comes before it. So it should be separated from what follows by strong punctuation, such as a full stop. For example, the English Standard Version says:

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.

(New International Version, 2011 edition, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), English Standard Version)

(2) The verb “kill/murder” is primarily related to what comes after it. (Alford, page 312; Huther, page 176; Adamson (1976), page 167–168; Davids (1982), page 158; Martin, page 140–141. It is also the punctuation of Westcott & Hort in the text, and of the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament.) So there should be punctuation separating it from what comes before it. For example, the NET Bible says:

You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (1984 Revision), NET Bible, New Century Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the interpretation that the majority of English versions follow.

See the General Comment on 4:2a–f at the end of 4:2f for examples of how this verse can be reordered.

4:2a

You crave: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You crave is literally “You want/desire.” James did not say what his readers wanted or desired. In some languages, it may be more natural to supply an object, as the Berean Standard Bible has done. For example:

You want something (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
You want things (New Century Version)
-or-
You want what you don’t have (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

4:2b

what you do not have: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what here introduces a contrast that many versions translate as “but.” The contrast is between what people want and what they actually have. For example:

you want something but don’t get it (New International Version (2011 Revision))

you do not have: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as you do not have indicates that the believers were not receiving the thing or things that they wanted.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

don’t have (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you do not have them (New Century Version)

4:2c

you kill: The clause you kill is a result of not having what you want. In some languages, it is more natural to make the relation between 4:2b and 4:2c clear by supplying a conjunction. For example:

^2aYou want ^2bwhat you don’t have, ^2cso you commit murder. (God’s Word)

kill: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kill normally means “murder” (as in 2:11a–b). Here it is probably a hyperbole. James used this word to startle his readers. He warned them that if they were not careful, their bad desires would soon lead to actual murder. (Ropes, page 255; Laws, page 172.) It is unlikely that James’ readers were actually killing one another. If they had been killing one another, he would have written more to criticize them even more harshly.

Some ways to translate this word are:

• Translate it literally. For example:

you murder (English Standard Version)

If you translate it literally, it may be good to add a footnote saying that this is an exaggeration.

• Translate it in a way that shows that cases of murder had not actually occurred. For example:

you are ready to kill (Good News Translation)

4:2d

covet: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as covet means “desire to possess something that someone else has.” This could be a material possession (like a big house) or a special honor or position of authority. (Some translations understand the Greek verb here to mean “to envy, be jealous of [someone]” (New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), NET Bible). This is also a valid possibility, but it does not fit so well with the next verb, “you cannot have,” which implies the object is a thing, not a person.)

Some other ways to translate this word are:

you^(plur) want what someone else has
-or-
you strongly desire things (Good News Translation)
-or-
You are jealous of what others have (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

4:2e

but are unable to obtain it: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are unable to obtain it is more literally “you are not able to obtain.” This clause indicates that the believers were unable to get the thing or things that they were coveting. As in 4:2b, it may be natural to supply an object. For example:

cannot obtain it (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you cannot get them (Good News Translation)
-or-
you^(plur) are not able to get what you want

4:2f

You quarrel and fight: The clause You quarrel and fight is the result of not obtaining what you want. In some languages, it is more natural to make this relationship between 4:2e and 4:2f clear by supplying a conjunction. For example:

^2ebut you cannot get them, ^2fso you quarrel and fight (Good News Translation)

quarrel and fight: The verbs quarrel and fight are related to the nouns “fights and quarrels” in 4:1a. So the translations of them should correspond if possible. Try to use words that can include both verbal disputes and physical fighting.

Another way to translate these verbs is:

argue and fight (New Century Version)

The verbs quarrel and fight are a doublet. This means that these two words mean almost the same thing. In some languages, the two verbs can be translated by a single verb. For example:

^2eyou cannot have what you want, ^2fso you fight with each other.

General Comment on 4:2a–f

Verse 4:2a–f is made up of two sentences. Each sentence tells what the people want and how they react when they do not get what they want. In some languages, it is more natural to first tell how people react and then the reason that they react that way. For example:

^2cYou kill each other ^2bbecause you do not have ^2awhat you crave. ^2fYou quarrel and fight each other ^2ebecause you are unable to obtain ^2dwhat you covet.

4:2g

You do not have: Here James left some words implicit. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply this implicit information. For example:

You don’t have the things you want (God’s Word)
-or-
You do not have what you want (Good News Translation)

4:2h

because: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason that people do not get what they desire.

you do not ask: Although the Berean Standard Bible translates this clause literally, many English versions supply the word God to make clear whom the people did not ask.

This clause refers to praying to God. For example:

because you don’t pray for them. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 4:2g–h

Verse 4:2g–h gives the reason that people do not get what they want. In some languages, it is more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

^2hYou do not ask God for what you want, ^2gso/therefore you do not have what you want.

This is a general statement about a situation that frequently happened. It does not mean, however, that James’ readers never asked God for things. This is made clear in 2:3.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:3

4:3a–b

And when you do ask, you do not receive: The clause And when you do ask, you do not receive refers to prayer. James’ readers were praying to God for certain things, but God was not answering their prayers.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

And even when you ask, you don’t get it (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
When you pray for things, you don’t get them (God’s Word)
-or-
Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered (Contemporary English Version)

4:3c

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason that people do not get what they pray for.

you ask with wrong motives: The clause you ask with wrong motives is more literally “you ask wrongly” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This indicates that James’ readers were asking for things from God for the wrong reasons. They were asking for things for selfish reasons rather than for God’s glory.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the reason you ask is wrong (New Century Version)
-or-
the reason why you^(plur) ask is not right
-or-
you pray just for selfish reasons (Contemporary English Version)

4:3d

that you may squander it on your pleasures: The clause that you may squander it on your pleasures means that James’ readers intended to use what they prayed for to satisfy their own desires.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. (New Century Version)
-or-
The reason you
^(plur) ask for it is so that you might fulfill your evil desires.

squander: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as squander means “use wastefully.” It does not only refer to spending money, although wasting money is one aspect.

Another way to translate this word is:

use (Good News Translation)

pleasures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pleasures is the same as the word translated “passions” in 4:1b. This word refers to wrong, selfish desires. It is a desire for personal wealth, glory, and pleasure.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

passions (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
selfish desires
-or-
enjoyment
-or-
satisfy your heart

General Comment on 4:3a–d

In some languages, it is more natural to put the reason (in 4:3c–d) before the result (in 4:3a–b). For example:

^3cYou ask with wrong motives ^3dthat you may spend what you get on your pleasures. ^3bTherefore, you do not receive ^3awhat you ask for.

General Comment on 4:3b–d

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in 4:3b–d. For example:

^3byou do not receive, ^3cbecause you ask for things ^3dso that you can spend/use what you get on your pleasures. ^3cThat is the wrong reason for praying!

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:4

Paragraph 4:4–6

James said that to love the world’s evil way is to hate God. God is angry with people who do this.

4:4a

You adulteresses!:

The King James Version translation “Ye adulterers and adulteresses” follows a different Greek text, but the meaning is also metaphorical.
) The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You adulteresses is literally “adulteresses.” This word is feminine and often refers to women who are unfaithful to their husbands. Here this word is a metaphor. In this metaphor, James was rebuking some of his readers by comparing them (both men and women) to women who had committed adultery.

One way that they are similar is that they were not loyal.

Some of James’ readers had not been loyal to God. They had promised that they would follow God, just as a bride promises to stay with her husband. But they had been unfaithful to him like adulterous women are unfaithful to their husbands. So James rebuked them by calling them adulteresses. (This same word is also used metaphorically in Matthew 12:39 and Mark 8:38.)

There are several ways to translate this figure of speech here:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Adulterers! (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
You are adulterous people!

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

You are like unfaithful wives (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
You are like married women who are immoral

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

You unfaithful people! (God’s Word)
-or-
you are not loyal to God! (New Century Version)

Make sure your translation is acceptable for public reading in church.

In some translations, it may be helpful to include a footnote to further explain the metaphor of adulteresses. An example for such a footnote is:

The word “adulteresses” here comes from a common Old Testament metaphor that describes God as the husband and his people as his wife. When God’s people were unfaithful to him by worshipping idols, they are described as “adulteresses” and “prostitutes.” See Jeremiah chapter 3; 13:27 and Isaiah 54:5–7; 57:3.

4:4b–c

Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to express emphasis. He wanted to emphasize that friendship with the world is hatred toward God.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Don’t you know that to be the world’s friend means to be God’s enemy? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Friendship with the world is hatred toward God. You know that, don’t you?

• As a statement. For example:

You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. (New Century Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

4:4b

friendship with the world: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as friendship may also be translated as “love” or “affection.”

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as world here refers to evil ways of thinking and acting. These evil ways of thinking and acting are the characteristics of people who are opposed to God and his ways.

So friendship with the world means “having a love/preference for the evil ways of the people of this world.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

love for this evil world (God’s Word)
-or-
if you love the world (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
following the evil pleasures/ways of this world
-or-
preferring the ways of the ungodly people in this world
-or-
wanting to do whatever God hates

The word world also occurs with a similar meaning in 1:27c.

4:4c

is hostility toward God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hostility toward God refers to a state of hating God. It is being opposed to God. It is the opposite of “friendship” (4:4b).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

you are God’s enemies (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
means to be God’s enemy (Good News Translation)
-or-
is the same as hating God (New Century Version)

4:4d

Therefore: The Greek word that Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Therefore is a conjunction that introduces 4:4d. This conjunction indicates that 4:4d–e is the logical conclusion to the points James has just presented in 4:4b–c. Another way to translate this conjunction is:

So (NET Bible)

whoever chooses: The phrase whoever chooses can also be translated as:

whoever chooses
-or-
the person who chooses

This phrase does not refer to any person in particular.

In some languages, a plural subject may be more appropriate than a singular. It is also possible to use the second person. For example:

All the people who choose
-or-
And if you decide (Contemporary English Version)

chooses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chooses means “deliberately decides” to live that way. Some other ways to translate this word are:

decide (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
want (Good News Translation)

to be a friend of the world: The phrase to be a friend of the world refers to “living the way that the world wants,” or “pleasing the people of the world.” (The people of the world are people who do not love God.)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

to be a friend of this evil world
-or-
to be a friend of the ways of this evil world
-or-
to love all the evil pleasures of this world

This phrase is similar in meaning to “friendship with the world” in 4:4b.

4:4e

renders himself an enemy of God: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as renders himself can also be translated as “makes himself” (as in the Revised Standard Version). In other words, if a person decides that he will be a friend of the world, this decision automatically causes him to be God’s enemy. God does not have or want friendship with the world.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

makes himself God’s enemy (NET Bible)
-or-
you make yourself God’s enemy (Good News Translation)

an enemy of God: An enemy of God is a person whom God is against.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on James 2012

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:18

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:2

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:3

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:4

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