Bible/James/3

James 3:17

3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. confusion: Gr. tumult or unquietness
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. partiality: or, wrangling

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But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

What does James 3:17 mean?

James 3:17 is a verse in the book of James, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include δέ (de), σοφία (sophia), ἄνωθεν (anothen). It connects to 22 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

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Butδέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
the
wisdomσοφίαsophia/sof-ee'-ah/G4678from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.
that
is
from
aboveἄνωθενanothen/an'-o-then/G509from 507; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew:--from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.
isεἰμίesti/es-tee'/G2076third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
firstπρῶτοςproton/pro'-ton/G4412neuter of 4413 as adverb (with or without 3588); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance):--before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all).
pure,μένmen/men/G3303a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
thenἔπειταepeita/ep'-i-tah/G1899from 1909 and 1534; thereafter:--after that(-ward), then.
peaceable,εἰρηνικόςeirenikos/i-ray-nee-kos'/G1516from 1515; pacific; by implication, salutary:--peaceable.
gentle,ἐπιεικήςepieikes/ep-ee-i-kace'/G1933from 1909 and 1503; appropriate, i.e. (by implication) mild:--gentle, moderation, patient.
and
easy
to
be
intreated,εὐπειθήςeupeithes/yoo-pi-thace'/G2138from 2095 and 3982; good for persuasion, i.e. (intransitively) complaint:--easy to be intreated.
fullμεστόςmestos/mes-tos'/G3324of uncertain derivation:--replete (literally or figuratively):--full.
of
mercyἔλεοςeleos/el'-eh-os/G1656of uncertain affinity; compassion (human or divine, especially active):--(+ tender) mercy.
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
goodἀγαθόςagathos/ag-ath-os'/G18a primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):--benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare 2570.
fruits,καρπόςkarpos/kar-pos'/G2590probably from the base of 726; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively:--fruit.
without
partiality,ἀδιάκριτοςadiakritos/ad-ee-ak'-ree-tos/G87from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 1252; properly, undistinguished, i.e. (actively) impartial:--without partiality.
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
without
hypocrisy.ἀνυπόκριτοςanupokritos/an-oo-pok'-ree-tos/G505from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 5271; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.
partiality:
or,
wrangling

Commentary on James 3:17

HENRY_FULL · James 3:17
The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues, ver. 1-12 . True wisdom makes men meek, and avoiders of strife and envy: and hereby it may easily be distinguished from a wisdom that is earthly and hypocritical, ver. 13, to the end .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Kings 8:46

If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

2 Chronicles 6:36

If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; they carry them away captives: Heb. they that take them captives carry them away

Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Proverbs 13:3

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 20:9

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

Ecclesiastes 7:20

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Matthew 12:37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Romans 3:10

As it is written There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 7:21

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Topics

MeeknessPeaceRighteousnessWorksWorks, Good

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with James 3:17.

1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. diversities: or, kinds

1 Corinthians 15:46

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

James 3:15

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. sensual: or, natural

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Frequently asked questions

What does James 3:17 say?

James 3:17 (King James Version) reads: "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. partiality: or, wrangling"

Is James 3:17 in the Old or New Testament?

James 3:17 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of James.

Reflect

As you read James 3:17, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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