James 3:16
◄  James 3:16  ►
New International Version (©2011)
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

New Living Translation (©2007)
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.

International Standard Version (©2012)
For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.

NET Bible (©2006)
For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
For where there is envy and contention there is also chaos and every evil thing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Wherever there is jealousy and rivalry, there is disorder and every kind of evil.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

American King James Version
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

American Standard Version
For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.

Darby Bible Translation
For where emulation and strife are, there is disorder and every evil thing.

English Revised Version
For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

Webster's Bible Translation
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Weymouth New Testament
For where envy and rivalry are, there also are unrest and every vile deed.

World English Bible
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

Young's Literal Translation
for where zeal and rivalry are, there is insurrection and every evil matter;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16 substantiates the assertion just made in ver. 15. Render, as in ver. 14, jealousy and faction. Ἀκαταστασία: confusion, of which God is not the author (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For where envying and strife is,.... Where these are cherished in the heart, and especially where they break out into action, in families, neighbourhoods, states, or churches:

there is confusion and every evil work; these occasion disturbances, raise uneasiness, make disquietude, and cause tumults whenever they appear; and put persons upon doing everything that is wicked, to gratify such insatiable lusts.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. envying—So English Version translates the Greek, which usually means "zeal"; "emulation," in Ro 13:13. "The envious man stands in his own light. He thinks his candle cannot shine in the presence of another's sun. He aims directly at men, obliquely at God, who makes men to differ."

strife—rivalry [Alford].

confusion—literally, "tumultuous anarchy": both in society (translated "commotions," Lu 21:9; "tumults," 2Co 6:5), and in the individual mind; in contrast to the "peaceable" composure of true "wisdom," Jas 3:17. James does not honor such effects of this earthly wisdom with the name "fruit," as he does in the case of the wisdom from above. Jas 3:18; compare Ga 5:19-22, "works of the flesh … fruit of the Spirit."

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True Wisdom from Above
…15This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But 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.

Romans 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.