James 3:15

15 This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.

James 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

James 3:15

This wisdom descendeth not from above
If it must be called wisdom, as it ought not; an envious, quarrelsome, and contentious spirit, does not deserve such a name; yet if any will call it so, or can think that a man of such a disposition is a man possessed of wisdom; it is such wisdom as does not come from above, from heaven, from the Father of lights, from Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and from the spirit of wisdom and revelation: what the Jews say ^F15 of the wisdom of Egypt, may be said of this, that it is (hatt hmkx) "wisdom from below", or inferior wisdom, as it follows:

but is earthly, sensual, and devilish;
it is "earthly", or of the earth, and springs from thence; and it is only conversant about earthly things, and is only suitable to earthly minds: it is sensual, or natural; what a natural man, one destitute of the Spirit of God, and without the knowledge of the things of the Spirit, may have; it is what is acquired by the mere strength of nature, and only relates to natural things; and is only agreeable to corrupt nature, or to a natural and unregenerate man: yea, it is devilish, or such as the devil himself has; and which comes from him, and being used, serves only his kingdom and interest.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Zohar in Gen. fol. 119. 2.

James 3:15 In-Context

13 Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;

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

15 This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.

16 For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing.

17 But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.