Devine Scripture

James 3:14

What does James 3:14 mean?

A plain-English look at James 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 3:14 means

If bitter jealousy and faction live in the heart, do not boast about being wise or claim the truth is on your side. That posture is self-deception. Envy and selfish ambition poison judgment and drive divisive words and deeds. To “glory” in such a spirit is to contradict the very nature of wisdom. James insists that inner motives matter; the heart’s climate shapes the tongue’s weather. A person can be clever and yet unwise if dominated by rivalry. Integrity demands honesty about these inner currents, refusing to baptize them with religious language or cloak them with the claim of truth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if bitter zeal ye have, and rivalry in your heart, glory not, nor lie against the truth;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contention in your hearts: glory not and be not liars against the truth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

Context

This verse begins the diagnosis of false wisdom by exposing its inner attitudes. After calling for meek proof of wisdom (verse 13), James unmasks the rival spirit that often masquerades as zeal. Verses 15–16 will identify its origin and outcomes—earthly, sensual, devilish, producing disorder and evil. This prepares for the clear alternative in verses 17–18, which detail the qualities and harvest of wisdom from above.

v.13Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

v.14This passage

v.15This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 2:1

    Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

  • Job 5:2

    For vexation killeth the foolish man, And jealousy slayeth the silly one.

  • Galatians 5:15

    But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

  • Acts 7:9

    And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him,

  • James 5:19

    My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;

  • Proverbs 27:4

    Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?

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