James 3:16

James 3:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
• New Living Translation (NLT)For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Context of James 3:16

14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But 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. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:16 word by word

ὅπου γὰρ ζῆλος καὶ ἐριθεία, ἐκεῖ ἀκαταστασία καὶ πᾶν φαῦλον πρᾶγμα.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whereὅπουhopou · where(-ever)G3699
• envyingζῆλοςzēlos · zealG2205
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• strifeἐριθείαeritheia · rivalryG2052
• thereἐκεῖekei · thereG1563
• confusionἀκαταστασίαakatastasia · disorderG181
• everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• evilφαῦλοςphaulos · evilG5337
• workπρᾶγμαpragma · thingG4229

Cross-references for James 3:16

• James 3:14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
• 1 Corinthians 3:3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
• Galatians 5:20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
• Genesis 11:9That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
• Acts 19:29Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.
• 1 Corinthians 14:33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
• 1 John 3:12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.

Commentaries on James 3:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16For where envying and strife is - · 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16For 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…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. 1616. envying--So English Version translates the Greek, which usually means "zeal"; "emulation," in Ro 13:13. "The envious man stands in his own light. He thinks his candle cannot shine in the presence of another's sun. He aims directly at men, obliquely at God, who makes men to differ." strife--rivalry [Alford]. confusion--literally, "tumultuous anarchy": both in society (translated "commotions," Lu 21:9; "tumults," 2Co 6:5), and in the individual mind; in…Read the comment

Topics related to James 3:16

• Envy
• Minister, Christian
• Righteousness
• Strife

In the dictionaries

• Contentment
• Course
• Governor
• Obey
• Offend
• Ought
• Tame
• Confusion
• Emulation
• Envy

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