James Chapter 3 verse 15 Holy Bible

ASV James 3:15

This wisdom is not `a wisdom' that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
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BBE James 3:15

This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.
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DARBY James 3:15

This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
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KJV James 3:15

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
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WBT James 3:15


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WEB James 3:15

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
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YLT James 3:15

this wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, physical, demon-like,
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 15-18. - Contrast between the earthly and the heavenly wisdom: (1) the earthly (vers. 15, 16); (2) the heavenly (vers. 17, 18). Verse 15. - " This wisdom [of which you boast] is not a wisdom which cometh down from above." Vulgate, non est enim ista sctpientia desursum descendens. But is earthly, sensual, devilish. Dr. Farrar well says that this wisdom is "earthly because it avariciously cares for the goods of earth (Philippians 3:19); animal, because it is under the sway of animal lusts (1 Corinthians 2:14); demon-like, because full of pride, egotism, malignity, and ambition, which are the works of the devil (1 Timothy 4:1)." Sensual (ψυχική), Vulgate, animalis; R.V. margin, natural or animal. The position of the word is remarkable, occurring between ἐπίγειος and δαιμονιώδης. it is never found in the LXX., nor (apparently) in the apostolic Fathers. In the New Testament it occurs six times - three times of the "natural" body, which is contrasted with the σῶμα πνευματικόν (1 Corinthians 15:44 (twice), 46); and three times with a moral emphasis resting upon it, "and in every instance a most depreciatory" (see 1 Corinthians 2:14), "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God," and Jude 1:19, Ψυχικοὶ, πνεῦμα μὴ ἔχοντες. The ψυχή in general in the New Testament is that which is common to man with the brute creation, including the passions, appetites, etc.; and therefore, by the use of this word ψυχικός to describe the wisdom which cometh not from above, but is "earthly, sensual [or, 'animal'], devilish," we are reminded of the contrast between the spirit of man which goeth upward and the spirit of a beast which goeth downward (Ecclesiastes 3:21). The "animal" man, then, is one who is ruled entirely by the ψυχή in the lower sense of the word; and by the depreciatory sense given to the adjective we are strongly reminded that "nature" is nothing without the aid of grace. See further Archbishop Trench's 'Synonyms of the N. T.,' § 71, and for the later history of the word (it was applied by the Montanists to the orthodox), Suicer's 'Thesaurus,' vol. it. p. 1589.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) This wisdom descendeth not from above . . . .--Better thus, This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, natural, devilish. This--it were profanation to call it by the holy name of ????? (Sophia), being in sharpest contrast to it, of the earth earthy; natural (as margin), or "psychical," in the second sense of the tripartite division of man--body, soul, and spirit--explained under James 1:21 (comp. Jude 1:19, "Sensual, having not the Spirit"); and even worse, akin to the craft of devils.