James 3:15
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- KJV
- This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- WEB
- This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
- ASV
- This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- DARBY
- This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
- BLB
- This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but [is] earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- ÅB
- Denne visdom kommer ikke ovenfra, men er jordisk, sanselig, djevelsk;
- OTB
- Slik visdom kommer ikke ovenfra, men er jordisk, uåndelig og demonisk.
- B1930
- Denne visdom kommer ikke ovenfra, men er jordisk, sanselig, djevelsk;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Read in contextJames 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Read in context1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
Read in contextPhilippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
Read in context1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Read in contextJohn 3:17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Read in context1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
Read in context2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Read in context