Verse of the Day

　　

James 3:16

Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

　　

Translations of Today's Verse

King James Version

Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

English Standard Version

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

The Message

Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.

New King James Version

Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

New Living Translation

Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.

　　

Commentary on Today's Verse

Commentary on James 3:13-18

(Read James 3:13-18)

　　These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. True wisdom may be know by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such wisdom comes not down from above, but springs up from earthly principles, acts on earthly motives, and is intent on serving earthly purposes. Those who are lifted up with such wisdom, described by the apostle James, is near to the Christian love, described by the apostle Paul; and both are so described that every man may fully prove the reality of his attainments in them. It has no disguise or deceit. It cannot fall in with those managements the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful; but it is sincere, and open, and steady, and uniform, and consistent with itself. May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift.

　　

James 3:16 In-Context

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

　　15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

　　16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

　　17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

　　18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.