15
Thisαὕτηis notοὐκ ἔστινthe wisdomἡ σοφίαthat comes downκατερχομένηfrom above,ἄνωθενbutἀλλὰit isearthly,ἐπίγειοςnatural,ψυχικήdemonic.δαιμονιώδης
James 3:15
Study it in the app“This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, natural, demonic.”
Wisdom from above shows in conduct, not in jealousy or rivalryWisdom
With the Greek beneath
James 3:15, word by word
- is notἔστινestin
be
To be: says who or what something is.
Where else “estin” appears- the wisdomσοφίαsophia
wisdom
Wisdom.
Where else “sophia” appears- that comes downκατερχομένηkaterchomenē
come down
Come down, go down from a higher place.
Where else “katerchomenē” appears- from aboveἄνωθενanōthen
from above
From above, from God.
Where else “anōthen” appears- earthlyἐπίγειοςepigeios
earthly
Earthly, of the earth.
Where else “epigeios” appears- naturalψυχικήpsychikē
natural, unspiritual
Natural: belonging to ordinary human life, living by human nature alone and not by the Spirit. "A natural body", the body of this present life.
Where else “psychikē” appears- demonicδαιμονιώδηςdaimoniōdēs
demonic
Demonic: like the demons.
Where else “daimoniōdēs” appears
The context
14But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 · This verse (above)
16For where there are jealousy and rivalry, there is disorder and every vile practice.
To study James 3 in a group
1. What it says
What images does James use to describe the power of the tongue (v. 3-6)?
2. What it means
Why do you think James contrasts the wisdom "from above" with bitter jealousy and rivalry (v. 13-18)?
3. How I live it
James says blessing and cursing come from the same mouth (v. 9-10). What kind word could you say today?