13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his conduct — in the gentleness of wisdom — that his works are good. [3:14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. [3:15] This wisdom is not the kind coming down from above, but is earthly, governed by natural instinct, demonic. [3:16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every vile practice. [3:17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism, without hypocrisy. [3:18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
JAS 3:13-18
The Wisdom from Above
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, wisdom was highly valued, often associated with philosophical schools like the Stoics and Epicureans, who emphasized rational living and self-control. Jewish tradition, particularly in the Wisdom literature, also prized wisdom as a divine gift, linked to Torah observance and ethical living. James contrasts two types of wisdom: one marked by jealousy and selfish ambition , which were common in competitive social and political contexts, and another characterized by humility, peaceableness, and sincerity. The term (conduct) refers to one’s entire way of life, not just isolated actions, emphasizing the integration of belief and behavior. The 'earthly, unspiritual, demonic' wisdom aligns with the destructive rivalries and factionalism seen in civic and religious groups, while the 'wisdom from above' reflects divine qualities—purity, gentleness, and impartiality—that foster communal harmony. This contrast would resonate with early Christian communities navigating internal conflicts and external pressures.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
JAS 3:13
- KJV
- Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- BSB
- Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Koinōnos
- Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his conduct — in the gentleness of wisdom — that his works are good.
JAS 3:14
- KJV
- But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
- BSB
- But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
- Koinōnos
- But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
JAS 3:15
- KJV
- This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- BSB
- Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- Koinōnos
- This wisdom is not the kind coming down from above, but is earthly, governed by natural instinct, demonic.
JAS 3:16
- KJV
- For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
- BSB
- For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
- Koinōnos
- For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every vile practice.
JAS 3:17
- 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.
- BSB
- But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Koinōnos
- But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism, without hypocrisy.
JAS 3:18
- KJV
- And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
- BSB
- Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
- Koinōnos
- And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JAS 3:13
- conduct:The word translated 'conduct' refers to one's entire way of life, encompassing all actions, habits, and moral behavior, not just a single instance of conduct.
JAS 3:14
- self-interest:The term used here for 'self-interest' originally described a partisan ambition or rivalry, often for political office, driven by a desire for personal gain rather than the common good.
JAS 3:15
- unspiritual:The word translated 'unspiritual' describes something governed by natural human instincts and desires, rather than by divine influence or a higher spiritual principle.
JAS 3:17
- gentle,:The word translated 'gentle' carries the sense of being fair, reasonable, and yielding, willing to make allowances and not insist on one's strict rights.