James 3:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 3:13-18

As the sins before condemned arise from an affectation of being thought more wise than others, and being endued with more knowledge than they, so the apostle in these verses shows the difference between men's pretending to be wise and their being really so, and between the wisdom which is from beneath (from earth or hell) and that which is from above. I. We have some account of true wisdom, with the distinguishing marks and fruits of it: Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you?... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 3:15-16

3:15-16 Such wisdom is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but is earthly, characteristic of the natural man, inspired by the devil. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil thing. This bitter and arrogant wisdom, so-called, is very different from real wisdom. James first of all describes it in itself, and then in its effects. In itself it is three things. (i) It is earthly. Its standards and sources are earthly. It measures success in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3:16

For where envying and strife is ,.... Where these are cherished in the heart, and especially where they break out into action, in families, neighbourhoods, states, or churches: there is confusion and every evil work ; these occasion disturbances, raise uneasiness, make disquietude, and cause tumults whenever they appear; and put persons upon doing everything that is wicked, to gratify such insatiable lusts. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:16

For where envying and strife is - Ζηλος και εριθεια· Zeal - fiery, inflammatory passion, and contention - altercations about the different points of the law, of no use for edification, such as those mentioned, Titus 3:9 . The Jews were the most intolerant of all mankind; it was a maxim with them to kill those who would not conform to their law; and their salvation they believed to be impossible. This has been the spirit of Popery, and of the Romish Church at large; in vain do they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:16

Verse 16 16For where envying is. It is an argument from what is contrary; for envying, by which hypocrites are influenced, produces effects contrary to wisdom. For wisdom requires a state of mind that is calm and composed, but envying disturbs it, so that in itself it becomes in a manner tumultuous, and boils up immoderately against others. Some render ἀκαταστασία inconstancy, and sometimes it means this, but as it signifies also sedition and tumult, perturbation seems the most suitable to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:13-16

False wisdom. The apostle suggests here that those who aspired too hastily to become Christian teachers ( James 3:1 ) showed themselves to be sadly deficient in wisdom. They were unwise at once in their estimate of their own powers, and in their judgment as to the kind of public discussions, which would be profitable for the Church. The cause of gospel truth could never be advanced by dogmatic disputations or bitter personal wrangling. Attend, therefore, says James in verse 13, to a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:13-18

WARNING AGAINST JEALOUSY AND FACTION . James 3:13 contains the positive exhortation to meekness; James 3:14 the negative warning against jealousy and party spirit; and then the following verses place side by side the portraits of the earthly and the heavenly wisdom. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:13-18

Wisdom. I. WISDOM SHOWS BY ITS FRUITS IN HEART AND LIFE . The following are some of the fruits of the heavenly wisdom: "By their fruits ye shall know them;" and therefore the presence or absence of such qualities as these form tests by which every one may recognize the presence or absence in his own heart of the wisdom which is from above. II. THE SINFULNESS OF PARTY SPIRIT . A sin which is not always recognized, especially in religious circles, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 3:15-18

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

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