Ministry of Grace Church

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

Truth to Learn

Seeking things instead of God makes Him Jealous.

Behind the Words

“Vain” is from the word kenōs, meaning “with no purpose”

The word translated “dwells” is katoikēsen. Some Biblical Greek scholars believe that this is a form of katoikēō, meaning “to dwell permanently.” Others, however, claim that it is from an old verb, katoikidzō, meaning “to give permanent dwelling to.” The problem arises from the fact that it is expressed in the aorist tense and indicative mood, which indicates past action, occurring at a point in time. If this is a form of katoikēō, then James is saying that the Spirit dwelt permanently in us at a point in time in the past. If this is a form of katoikidzō, however, James is saying that the Spirit was given a dwelling place in us at a point in time in the past. In either case, it probably refers to the point in time when we were saved and God gave us his Spirit as a permanent dweller in us. One more degree of complexity in this verse is the fact that, as is pointed out below, this “spirit” could also be referring to our sin nature, which was given to us when we were conceived in the womb.

Epipotheō is the word translated “yearns.” It is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and potheō, meaning “to desire.” Hence it means “to desire strongly” or “to long for.”

The word translated “jealously” is phthonos, which refers to “the pain of jealousy or envy.”

Meaning Explained

There has been, and continues to be, a lot of debate about this verse for two primary reasons. The first is that there is no Old Testament passage that is exactly quoted by this verse. There are several verses, however, that could fulfill the essence of what this verse says:

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

This is a reference to the sin nature that dwells in every one of us.

you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, (Exodus 20:5)

They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. (Deuteronomy 32:21)

This is a reference to the Holy Spirit of God who becomes jealous whenever we allow anything other than God to occupy our thoughts and desires.

Having said all this, it is apparent that James is making a statement of the general sense of what Scripture teaches us and that it is not a direct reference to a specific verse.

The second source of controversy concerning this verse is regarding what James meant by, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.” The question is whether he is referring to the Holy Spirit who was given to us when we became a Christian, or to the sinful nature that we all received as a result of the “original sin” of Adam and Eve. Keep in mind that when we received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we received a new nature enabled by the Holy Spirit. However, the old nature (our sin nature) is neither removed nor reformed. Because of this, there is a constant battle within, as Paul tells us:

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to one another, so that you do not do the things that you may determine to do. (Galatians 5:17)

If James is referring to the Holy Spirit, then he is telling us that the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, yearns jealously (remember, God is a jealous God). This would support the idea that James is referring to the concepts presented in Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 32:21 quoted above. If, however, he is referring to our sin nature, then he is saying that we have within us jealous yearnings (that is, selfish longings) that cause us to sin. This would support the concept presented in Genesis 6:5 quoted above. Either one would be a reasonable interpretation of this verse.

Now, let’s look at the context of this verse. James has said that we fight and battle because we lust after and covet things that we don’t have. He says that we don’t have things because we don’t ask. James also tells us that when we do ask for these things from God, we ask with the wrong motives, intending this “stuff” to satisfy our selfish desires. In fact, we make “stuff” our idol, giving it more of our attention and desire than we give to God.

When we long for stuff more than we long for a relationship with God, it is a form of idolatry, thus making us spiritual adulterers, which fits with what James told us in the previous verse. In the current verse, it makes sense that James is telling us that the Holy Spirit (the Spirit whom God, at some point in time in the past, gave to permanently dwell in us), has a longing, a strong desire, for a personal relationship with us. But, when we play the harlot with “stuff,” it makes God jealous!

After a lot of research and analysis and after a lot of internal debate, I am convinced that “The Spirit who dwells in us” is referring to the Holy Spirit. And – the reason He “yearns jealously” is because He wants our full devotion. He doesn’t want us to divide our devotion between Him and any idol of any kind.

Application

Are you filled with a longing for stuff? Are you constantly thinking of a bigger house, a better car, a better job, a boat, more clothes, a bigger retirement nest egg? Are you trying to be the kid with the most toys at the end of the game? If so, then you have made an idol out of stuff and you make God jealous. Or – do you spend your days trying to develop a deeper relationship with God, learning all you can about Him and what He wants from you.

Remember, God is a jealous God and you are His beloved one. If you really want to please God, then give him ALL your devotion. When we pray and “ask” God, we should all be asking for a better understanding of Him and for a stronger devotion to Him and Him alone.