Darby Bible
James 3:15
15This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
James 3:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- New International Version (NIV)Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- English Standard Version (ESV)This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- New King James Version (NKJV)This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
Context of James 3:15
13Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom; 14but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish. 16For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing. 17But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
Read all of James 3James 3:15 word by word
οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπίγειος ψυχικὴ δαιμονιώδης.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for James 3:15
- James 3:17But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
- James 1:5But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him:
- John 3:17For God has not sent his Son into the world that he may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through him.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3for ye are yet carnal. For whereas [there are] among you emulation and strife, are ye not carnal, and walk according to man?
- Philippians 3:19whose end [is] destruction, whose god [is] the belly, and [their] glory in their shame, who mind earthly things:)
- 2 Samuel 13:3And Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.
- 2 Samuel 15:31And one told David saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. Then said David, Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
- 2 Samuel 16:23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired of the word of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
- Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have no intelligence; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
- Luke 16:8And the lord praised the unrighteous steward because he had done prudently. For the sons of this world are, for their own generation, more prudent than the sons of light.
- Romans 1:22professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
- 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and set aside the understanding of the understanding ones.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6But we speak wisdom among the perfect; but wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought.
- 1 Corinthians 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He who takes the wise in their craftiness.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you.
- Jude 1:19These are they who set [themselves] apart, natural [men], not having [the] Spirit.
Commentaries on James 3:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above - God is not the author of it, because it is bitter - not meek. See at the end of this chapter. Is earthly - Having this life only in view. Sensual - · Animal - having for its object the gratification of the passions and animal propensities. Devilish - · Demoniacal - inspired by demons, and maintained in the soul by their indwelling influence.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15This 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. True wisdom may be know by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such wisdom comes not down from…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15Earthly wisdom is not part of God's good creation. It is the opposite of heavenly wisdom because it leaves out God. It is unspiritual because it does not acknowledge or respond to God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14; Jude 1:19). It is demonic because it comes from the devil, who is the ultimate source of this wisdom that destroys (James 3:6; 4:6; 1 Timothy 4:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. This wisdom--in which ye "glory," as if ye were "wise" (Jas 3:13, 14). descendeth not from above--literally, "is not one descending," &c.: "from the Father of lights" (true illumination and wisdom), Jas 1:17; through "the Spirit of truth," Joh 15:26. earthly--opposed to heavenly. Distinct from "earthy," 1Co 15:47. Earthly is what is IN the earth; earthy, what is of the earth. sensual--literally, "animal-like": the wisdom of the "natural" (the same…Read the comment
Topics related to James 3:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on James 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Darby Bible — 1889 — Public Domain
Commentaries