TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
Key verse: 17
NIV
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(A) by their good life, by deeds(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(D) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(F) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(K) 18 Peacemakers(L) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(M)
Cross references
- James 3:13 : Jas 2:18
- James 3:13 : S 1Pe 2:12
- James 3:14 : ver 16; 2Co 12:20
- James 3:14 : Jas 5:19
- James 3:15 : ver 17; Jas 1:17
- James 3:15 : 1Ti 4:1
- James 3:16 : ver 14; Gal 5:20, 21
- James 3:17 : 1Co 2:6; Jas 1:17
- James 3:17 : Heb 12:11
- James 3:17 : Lk 6:36
- James 3:17 : Ro 12:9
- James 3:18 : Mt 5:9; S Ro 14:19
- James 3:18 : Pr 11:18; Isa 32:17; Hos 10:12; Php 1:11
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? (A)By his good conduct let him show his works (B)in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter (C)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not (D)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, (E)demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But (F)the wisdom from above is first pure, then (G)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, (H)full of mercy and good fruits, (I)impartial and (J)sincere. 18 And (K)a harvest of righteousness (L)is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Read full chapterCross references
- James 3:13 : ch. 2:18
- James 3:13 : ch. 1:21
- James 3:14 : ver. 16; Acts 5:17; Rom. 2:8; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20; Phil. 1:17; 2:3; [Rom. 13:13]
- James 3:15 : ch. 1:17
- James 3:15 : [1 Kgs. 22:22; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:24]
- James 3:17 : [1 Cor. 2:6, 7]
- James 3:17 : Heb. 12:11
- James 3:17 : [Luke 6:36]
- James 3:17 : ch. 2:4 (Gk.)
- James 3:17 : Rom. 12:9
- James 3:18 : Prov. 11:18; Isa. 32:17; Hos. 10:12; Amos 6:12; Phil. 1:11
- James 3:18 : Matt. 5:9; Gal. 6:7, 8
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Worldly wisdom (13-16)
Worldly wisdom springs from selfishness. Selfish ambition, greed, envy, and sometimes, a desire for revenge drive it on. It teaches us such things as, 'Be your own man' and 'If it feels good, do it.' Such 'wisdom' does not come from God, but from the devil. It produces disorder and all kinds of evil practices.
2. Wisdom that comes from God (17-18)
True wisdom comes from God. The really wise person shows his wisdom and understanding by his good life and by deeds done in humility. Wisdom from God is pure, considerate, peace-loving, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Those who sow peace are people of wisdom. Their lives produce a harvest of righteousness. Their hearts are quite different from those filled with bitterness, envy and selfish ambition. Their hearts are filled with love for others and true joy.
Prayer: Lord, give me the true wisdom that comes from you. Help me to sow your gospel of forgiveness and be a peacemaker.
One Word: Seek wisdom from God
