Amiss
The Meaning of Amiss
The word "amiss" in the Bible carries the sense of something being wrong, out of place, or morally improper. While it has largely fallen out of common modern English usage, it appears in older Bible translations to describe actions, conditions, or intentions that fall short of what is right. The word encompasses a range of meaning from simple impropriety to deliberate wickedness, depending on the context and the underlying Greek or Hebrew word being translated.
Amiss in the New Testament
Two different Greek words are translated as "amiss" in the New Testament. The first, atopos, literally means "out of place" and refers to what is improper, unreasonable, or harmful. This word appears in Luke 23:41, where one of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus acknowledges that while they deserve their punishment, Jesus "has done nothing amiss", that is, nothing wrong or criminal. Paul's encounter with the viper on Malta uses the same word, as the islanders watched to see if something harmful would befall him (Acts 28:6).
The Prayer That Is Amiss
The most theologically significant use of "amiss" comes in James 4:3, where the Greek word kakos (meaning "evil" or "wickedly") is used. James writes, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." Here "amiss" describes prayers driven by selfish desire rather than godly purpose. The passage teaches that the motivation behind prayer matters as much as the prayer itself. God is not a means to self-gratification, and prayers aimed at fueling sinful desires go unanswered.
Amiss in the Old Testament
The concept of acting "amiss" also appears in the Old Testament. In 2 Chronicles 6:37, Solomon's temple dedication prayer includes the possibility that the people might come to their senses in captivity and confess, "We have sinned, we have acted perversely, we have done amiss." Here the word captures the full range of departure from God's ways, from wandering off course to active rebellion. Daniel 3:29 similarly uses the concept when Nebuchadnezzar decrees punishment for anyone who speaks "amiss" against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The Heart Behind Our Actions
The biblical use of "amiss" consistently points beyond mere external behavior to the condition of the heart. Whether describing criminal action (Luke 23:41), selfish prayer (James 4:3), or national sin (2 Chronicles 6:37), the word highlights the gap between what humans do and what God requires. James's teaching is particularly pointed: even the act of prayer, which should be the most spiritually pure of activities, can be corrupted by wrong motives.
Lessons for Prayer and Living
The concept of asking "amiss" remains deeply relevant for believers. James 4:1-3 places misguided prayer within a larger discussion of conflicts, desires, and worldliness. The solution James offers is humility before God (James 4:6-10) and a willingness to align one's desires with God's purposes rather than demanding that God serve human appetites. True prayer flows from a heart submitted to God's will, not from a desire to use God as a tool for personal gain.
Biblical Context
The word 'amiss' appears in Luke 23:41 (Jesus has done nothing wrong), Acts 28:6 (something harmful happening to Paul), James 4:3 (asking with wrong motives), 2 Chronicles 6:37 (Israel confessing sin), and Daniel 3:29 (speaking against God). Each usage addresses a different aspect of wrongdoing, from criminal behavior to corrupted prayer.
Theological Significance
The concept of asking 'amiss' in James 4:3 provides essential teaching on prayer and the human heart. It reveals that God examines not just the content of our prayers but their motivation. This teaching challenges superficial religiosity and calls believers to examine whether their desires align with God's purposes. It also affirms God's wisdom in withholding what would harm us spiritually.
Historical Background
The Greek words translated 'amiss' were common terms in the Hellenistic world. Atopos (out of place) was used in Greek philosophy and rhetoric to describe arguments or behaviors that were logically or morally improper. Kakos (evil, badly) was a standard moral term. The KJV translators chose 'amiss' as an English equivalent that captured the sense of deviation from what is proper or right, though modern translations typically use 'wrong' or 'evil motives.'