James 3:15

Cited in 1 topic on this site.

Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.”

— WEB

“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”

— KJV

“This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”

— ASV

Bible Verses About Wisdom

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, an…"
1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”Job 5:13"
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning s…"
Philippians 3:19 "whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things."
1 Corinthians 2:14 "Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are…"
1 Timothy 4:1 "But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines …"
John 3:17 "For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him."
2 Corinthians 1:12 "For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace …"

Commentary

This wisdom--in which ye "glory," as if ye were "wise" (Jam 3:13-14). descendeth not from above--literally, "is not one descending," &c.: "from the Father of lights" (true illumination and wisdom), Jam 1:17; through "the Spirit of truth," Joh 15:26. earthly--opposed to heavenly. Distinct from "earthy," Co1 15:47. Earthly is what is IN the earth; earthy, what is of the earth. sensual--literally, "animal-like": the wisdom of the "natural" (the same Greek) man, not born again of God; "not having the Spirit" (Jde 1:19). devilish--in its origin (from "hell," Jam 3:6; not from God, the Giver of true wisdom, Jam 1:5), and also in its character, which accords with its origin. Earthly, sensual, and devilish, answer to the three spiritual foes of man, the world, the flesh, and the devil.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

Newsletter

A short reflection, a single passage, three articles to read. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Topics that cite this verse

Commentary

One verse, every Tuesday.