James 3:17

James 3:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
• New International Version (NIV)But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Context of James 3:17

15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

James 3:17 word by word

Ἡ δὲ ἄνωθεν σοφία πρῶτον μὲν ἁγνή ἐστιν, ἔπειτα εἰρηνική, ἐπιεικής, εὐπειθής, μεστὴ ἐλέους καὶ καρπῶν ἀγαθῶν, ἀδιάκριτος, ἀνυπόκριτος.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• the wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• that isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• from aboveἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
• is firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• pureἁγνόςhagnos · pureG53
• thenἔπειταepeita · thenG1899
• peaceableεἰρηνικόςeirēnikos · peacefulG1516
• gentleἐπιεικήςepieikēs · gentleG1933
• easy to be intreatedεὐπειθήςeupeithēs · compliantG2138
• fullμεστόςmestos · fullG3324
• of mercyἔλεοςeleos · mercyG1656
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• fruitsκαρπόςkarpos · fruitG2590
• without partialityἀδιάκριτοςadiakritos · impartialG87
• without hypocrisyἀνυπόκριτοςanupokritos · genuineG505

Cross-references for James 3:17

• James 3:15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.
• James 1:5But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
• Genesis 41:38So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find a man like Joseph, one in whom the Spirit of God is present?”
• Exodus 36:2Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whom the Lord had put skill – everyone whose heart stirred him to volunteer to do the work,
• 1 Kings 3:9So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey the law of the Lord your God.
• Job 28:12“But wisdom – where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding?
• Proverbs 2:6For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
• Isaiah 11:2The Lord’s spirit will rest on him – a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord.
• Daniel 1:17Now as for these four young men, God endowed them with knowledge and skill in all sorts of literature and wisdom – and Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.
• Luke 21:15For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing.
• 1 Corinthians 12:8For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
• James 4:8Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.
• Malachi 3:3He will act like a refiner and purifier of silver and will cleanse the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will offer the Lord a proper offering.
• Matthew 5:8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Commentaries on James 3:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The wisdom that is from above - The pure religion of the Lord Jesus, bought by his blood, and infused by his Spirit. See the rabbinical meaning of this phrase at the end of this chapter. Is first pure - ̔· Chaste, holy, and clean. Peaceable - · Living in peace with others, and promoting peace among men. Gentle - · Meek, modest, of an equal mind, taking every thing in good part, and putting the best construction upon all the actions of others. Easy to be…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17But the wisdom that is from above - Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. The wisdom which has a heavenly origin, or which is from God. The man who is characterised by that wisdom will be pure, peaceable, etc. This does not refer to the doctrines of religion, but to its spirit. Is first pure - That is, the first effect of it on the mind is to make it pure. The influence on the man is to make him upright, sincere, candid, holy. The word here used ( ̔…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
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. first pure--literally, "chaste," "sanctified": pure from all that is "earthly, sensual (animal), devilish" (Jas 3:15). This is put, "first of all," before "peaceable" because there is an unholy peace with the world which makes no distinction between clean and unclean. Compare "undefiled" and "unspotted from the world," Jas 1:27; 4:4, 8, "purify ... hearts"; 1Pe 1:22, "purified ... souls" (the same Greek). Ministers must not preach before a purifying…Read the comment

Topics related to James 3:17

• Gentleness
• Holiness
• Hypocrisy
• Meekness
• Minister, Christian
• Peace
• Righteousness
• Wisdom
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Course
• Fruit
• Governor
• Obey
• Offend
• Ought
• Tame
• Clemency
• First
• Gentleness

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