16
Forγὰρwhereὅπουthere arejealousyζῆλοςandκαὶrivalry,ἐριθείαthereἐκεῖisdisorderἀκαταστασίαandκαὶeveryπᾶνvileφαῦλονpractice.πρᾶγμα
James 3:16
Study it in the app“For where there are jealousy and rivalry, there is disorder and every vile practice.”
Wisdom from above shows in conduct, not in jealousy or rivalryWisdom
With the Greek beneath
James 3:16, word by word
- whereὅπουhopou
where
Where, wherever.
Where else “hopou” appears- jealousyζῆλοςzēlos
jealousy
Envy, resentment at another's good.
Where else “zēlos” appears- rivalryἐριθείαeritheia
selfish ambition
Selfish ambition, rivalry: seeking one's own interest or that of one's party.
Where else “eritheia” appears- disorderἀκαταστασίαakatastasia
disorder, unrest
Disorder, unrest, uprising.
Where else “akatastasia” appears- vileφαῦλονphaulon
evil, worthless
Bad, worthless.
Where else “phaulon” appears- practiceπρᾶγμαpragma
deed
Something done.
Where else “pragma” appears
The context
15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, natural, demonic.
16 · This verse (above)
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without making distinctions, without hypocrisy.
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?