James 3:14-17

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:13-18

Wisdom, true and false. The temptation to be "teachers" ( James 3:1 ) arose from the notion that they possessed wisdom. How shall they show this wisdom, how shall they even use it, if they may not teach? The life is to be at once the practice and the manifestation of a wisdom that is true ( James 3:13 ). James here reverts to his earlier theme ( James 1:5 ); and we have for our consideration—The false wisdom and the true, in their origin, nature, and fruits. I. THE FALSE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:14

Bitter envying , ζῆλος in itself may be either good or bad, and therefore πικρόν is added to characterize it. Bishop Lightfoot (on Galatians 5:20 ) points out that " as it is the tendency of Christian teaching to exalt the gentler qualities and to depress their opposites, ζῆλος falls in the scale of Christian ethics (see Clem. Romans, §§ 4-6), while ταπεινότης , for instance, rises." It may, perhaps, be an incidental mark of early date that St. James finds it necessary to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:15

" This wisdom [of which you boast] is not a wisdom which cometh down from above." Vulgate, non est enim ista sctpientia desursum descendens. But is earthly, sensual, devilish. Dr. Farrar well says that this wisdom is "earthly because it avariciously cares for the goods of earth ( Philippians 3:19 ); animal , because it is under the sway of animal lusts ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 ); demon-like , because full of pride, egotism, malignity, and ambition, which are the works of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:15-18

Contrast between the earthly and the heavenly wisdom: (1) the earthly ( James 3:15 , James 3:16 ); (2) the heavenly ( James 3:17 , James 3:18 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:16

substantiates the assertion just made in James 3:15 . Render, as in James 3:14 , jealousy and faction. ἀκαταστασία : confusion, of which God is not the author ( 1 Corinthians 14:33 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:17

The wisdom which is from above ; ἡ ἄνωθεν σοφία , equivalent to הגוילע המכח —an expression not unknown among rabbinical writers. First pure, then peaceable. "The sequence is that of thought, not of time" (Plumptre). Purity must be secured, even at the expense of peace. Gentle, and easy to be entreated ( ἐπιεκὴς εὐπειθής ). The former of these two terms signifies "forbearing under provocation" (cf. 1 Timothy 3:3 ; Titus 3:2 ; 1 Peter 2:18 ); the latter is found... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:17-18

True wisdom. These two verses exhibit, with much terseness and beauty, the features of the true or heavenly wisdom, i.e. the characteristic qualities of the state of mind, which is produced by a sincere reception of saving truth. The picture here presented forms a direct contrast to the description of false or earthly wisdom given in James 3:14-16 . I. THE NATURE OF TRUE WISDOM . ( James 3:17 ) In origin it is "from above." It is not the product of self-culture, but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:14

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts - If that is your characteristic. There is reference here to a fierce and unholy zeal against each other; a spirit of ambition and contention.Glory not - Do not boast, in such a case, of your qualifications to be public teachers. Nothing would render you more unfit for such an office than such a spirit.And lie not against the truth - You would lie against what is true by setting up a claim to the requisite qualifications for such an... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:15

This wisdom descendeth not from above - Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:3. The wisdom here referred to is that carnal or worldly wisdom which produces strife and contention; that kind of knowledge which leads to self-conceit, and which prompts a man to defend his opinions with over-heated zeal. In the contentions which are in the world, in church and state, in neighborhoods and families, at the bar, in political life, and in theological disputes, even where there is the manifestation of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:16

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion - Margin, tumult or unquietness. Everything is unsettled and agitated. There is no mutual confidence; there is no union of plan and effort; there is no co-operation in promoting a common object; there is no stability in any plan; for a purpose, though for good, formed by one portion, is defeated by another.And every evil work - Of the truth of this no one can have any doubt who has observed the effects in a family or neighborhood where a... read more

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