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Text -- James 3:14 (NET)

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Context
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: TRUTH | Strife | Righteousness | JEALOUSY | Envy | EMULATION | BITTER; BITTERNESS | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes


Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Jam 3:14 - -- Bitter jealousy ( zēlon pikron ). Zēlos occurs in N.T. in good sense (Joh 2:17) and bad sense (Act 5:17). Pride of knowledge is evil (1Co 8:1) ...

Bitter jealousy ( zēlon pikron ).

Zēlos occurs in N.T. in good sense (Joh 2:17) and bad sense (Act 5:17). Pride of knowledge is evil (1Co 8:1) and leaves a bitter taste. See "root of bitterness"in Heb 12:14 (cf. Eph 4:31). This is a condition of the first class.

Robertson: Jam 3:14 - -- Faction ( erithian ). Late word, from erithos (hireling, from eritheuō to spin wool), a pushing forward for personal ends, partisanship, as in ...

Faction ( erithian ).

Late word, from erithos (hireling, from eritheuō to spin wool), a pushing forward for personal ends, partisanship, as in Phi 1:16.

Robertson: Jam 3:14 - -- In your heart ( en tēi kardiāi humōn ). The real fountain (pēgē , Jam 3:11).

In your heart ( en tēi kardiāi humōn ).

The real fountain (pēgē , Jam 3:11).

Robertson: Jam 3:14 - -- Glory not ( mē katakauchāsthe ). Present middle imperative of katakauchaomai , for which see note on Jam 2:13. Wisdom is essential for the teache...

Glory not ( mē katakauchāsthe ).

Present middle imperative of katakauchaomai , for which see note on Jam 2:13. Wisdom is essential for the teacher. Boasting arrogance disproves the possession of wisdom.

Robertson: Jam 3:14 - -- Lie not against the truth ( pseudesthe kata tēs alētheias ). Present middle imperative of pseudomai , old verb, to play false, with mē carrie...

Lie not against the truth ( pseudesthe kata tēs alētheias ).

Present middle imperative of pseudomai , old verb, to play false, with mē carried over. Lying against the truth is futile. By your conduct do not belie the truth which you teach; a solemn and needed lesson. Cf. Rom 1:18., Rom 2:18, Rom 2:20.

Vincent: Jam 3:14 - -- Envying ( ζῆλον ) The word is used in the New Testament both in a bad and a good sense. For the latter, see Joh 2:17; Rom 10:2; 2Co 9:2. F...

Envying ( ζῆλον )

The word is used in the New Testament both in a bad and a good sense. For the latter, see Joh 2:17; Rom 10:2; 2Co 9:2. From it is our word zeal, which may be either good or bad, wise or foolish. The bad sense is predominant in the New Testament. See Act 5:17; Rom 13:13; Gal 5:20, and here, where the bad sense is defined and emphasized by the epithet bitter. It is often joined with ἔρις strife, as here with ἐρίθεια , intriguing or faction. The rendering envying, as A. V., more properly belongs to φθόνος , which is never used in a good sense. Emulation is the better general rendering, which does not necessarily include envy, but may be full of the spirit of self-devotion. Rev. renders jealousy.

Vincent: Jam 3:14 - -- Strife ( ἐριθείαν ) A wrong rendering, founded on the mistaken derivation from ἔρις , strife. It is derived from ἔρι...

Strife ( ἐριθείαν )

A wrong rendering, founded on the mistaken derivation from ἔρις , strife. It is derived from ἔριθος , a hired servant, and means, primarily, labor for hire. Compare Tobit 2:11: My wife did take women's work to do (ἠριθεύετο ) . Thus it comes to be applied to those who serve in official positions for their own selfish interest, and who, to that end, promote party spirit and faction. So Rom 2:8 : them that are contentious (ἐξ ἐριθείας ) , lit., of faction. Rev., factious. Also, 2Co 12:20. Rev., here, rightly, faction.

Wesley: Jam 3:14 - -- True Christian zeal is only the flame of love.

True Christian zeal is only the flame of love.

Wesley: Jam 3:14 - -- Though it went no farther.

Though it went no farther.

Wesley: Jam 3:14 - -- As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.

As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.

JFB: Jam 3:14 - -- As is the case (this is implied in the Greek indicative).

As is the case (this is implied in the Greek indicative).

JFB: Jam 3:14 - -- Eph 4:31, "bitterness."

Eph 4:31, "bitterness."

JFB: Jam 3:14 - -- Rather, "emulation," or literally, "zeal": kindly, generous emulation, or zeal, is not condemned, but that which is "bitter" [BENGEL].

Rather, "emulation," or literally, "zeal": kindly, generous emulation, or zeal, is not condemned, but that which is "bitter" [BENGEL].

JFB: Jam 3:14 - -- Rather, "rivalry."

Rather, "rivalry."

JFB: Jam 3:14 - -- From which flow your words and deeds, as from a fountain.

From which flow your words and deeds, as from a fountain.

JFB: Jam 3:14 - -- To boast of your wisdom is virtually a lying against the truth (the gospel), while your lives belie your glorying. Jam 3:15; Jam 1:18, "The word of tr...

To boast of your wisdom is virtually a lying against the truth (the gospel), while your lives belie your glorying. Jam 3:15; Jam 1:18, "The word of truth." Rom 2:17, Rom 2:23, speaks similarly of the same contentious Jewish Christians.

Clarke: Jam 3:14 - -- If ye have bitter envying and strife - If ye be under the influence of an unkind, fierce, and contemptuous spirit, even while attempting or pretendi...

If ye have bitter envying and strife - If ye be under the influence of an unkind, fierce, and contemptuous spirit, even while attempting or pretending to defend true religion, do not boast either of your exertions or success in silencing an adversary; ye have no religion, and no true wisdom, and to profess either is to lie against the truth. Let all writers on what is called polemic (fighting, warring) divinity lay this to heart. The pious Mr. Herbert gives excellent advice on this subject: -

"Be calm in arguing, for fierceness make

Error a fault, and truth discourtesy

Why should I feel another man’ s mistake

More than his sickness or his poverty

In love I should; but anger is not love

Nor wisdom neither; therefore g-e-n-t-l-y m-o-v-e."

Calvin: Jam 3:14 - -- l4But if ye have bitter envying. He points out the fruits which proceed from that extreme austerity which is contrary to meekness; for immoderate rigo...

l4But if ye have bitter envying. He points out the fruits which proceed from that extreme austerity which is contrary to meekness; for immoderate rigor necessarily begets mischievous emulations, which presently break forth into contentions. It is, indeed, an improper mode of speaking, to place contentions in the heart; but this affects not the meaning; for the object was to shew that the evil disposition of the heart is the fountain of these evils.

He has called envying, or emulation, bitter; for it prevails not, except when minds are so infected with the poison of malignity, that they turn all things into bitterness. 125

That we may then really glory that we are the children of God, he bids us to act calmly and meekly towards our brethren; otherwise he declares that we are lying in assuming the Christian name. But it is not without reason that he has added the associate of envying, even strife, or contention, for contests and quarrels ever arise from malignity and envy.

TSK: Jam 3:14 - -- if : Jam 3:16, Jam 4:1-5; Gen 30:1, Gen 30:2, Gen 37:11; Job 5:2; Pro 14:30, Pro 27:4; Isa 11:13; Hab 1:3; Mat 27:18; Act 5:17, Act 7:9, Act 13:45; Ro...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Jam 3:14 - -- But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts - If that is your characteristic. There is reference here to a fierce and unholy zeal a...

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts - If that is your characteristic. There is reference here to a fierce and unholy zeal against each other; a spirit of ambition and contention.

Glory not - Do not boast, in such a case, of your qualifications to be public teachers. Nothing would render you more unfit for such an office than such a spirit.

And lie not against the truth - You would lie against what is true by setting up a claim to the requisite qualifications for such an office, if this is your spirit. Men should seek no office or station which they could not properly seek if the whole truth about them were known.

Poole: Jam 3:14 - -- Bitter envying Greek, zeal, which he calls bitter, partly to distinguish it from that zeal which is good, whereas this he speaks of is evil, and thou...

Bitter envying Greek, zeal, which he calls bitter, partly to distinguish it from that zeal which is good, whereas this he speaks of is evil, and though it pretends to be zeal, yet is really no other than envy; and partly because it commonly proceeds from an imbittered spirit. and tends to the imbittering it more.

Strife the usual effect of bitter zeal, or envy.

In your hearts the fountain whence it proceeds; or strife in the heart implies a heart propense and inclined to strife.

Glory not glory not of your zeal, or rather of your wisdom, as if you were so well able to reprehend others, but rather be humbled; what you make the matter of your glorying, being really just cause of shame.

And lie not against the truth viz. by professing yourselves wise, or zealous, when ye are really neither.

Haydock: Jam 3:14-16 - -- But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retai...

But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retain against the converted Gentiles, pretending with lies, and against the truth of the Scriptures, that they are not to be made partakers of the blessings brought to all nations by the Messias. ---

Glory not, boast not in this pretended wisdom, which descendeth not from above, from God, but which is earthly, sensual, diabolical, from an evil spirit, which foments these jealousies and divisions; and where there are such emulations and divisions, there is nothing but inconstancy, and all kind of evils. (Witham)

Gill: Jam 3:14 - -- But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,.... Though these may not be expressed by words, or actions: envy at the happiness of others, ...

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,.... Though these may not be expressed by words, or actions: envy at the happiness of others, whether at the external blessings of Providence, as riches and honours, or at the internal endowments of their minds, as their wisdom and knowledge, their parts and abilities, is a root of bitterness in the heart, which bears wormwood and gall, and produces bitter effects in the persons in whom it is; it embitters their minds against their neighbours and friends; it is rottenness in their bones, and slays and destroys those who are so silly as to be governed by it; and also in the persons the objects of it; for who can stand before it? and strife in the mind, or an intention to strive end quarrel with others, who are the objects of envy, is very sinful, and of pernicious consequence: and if these be fomented and cherished in the minds and breasts of men, though they may not outwardly show themselves, yet

glory not; let not such boast of their being Gnostics, wise men, and endued with knowledge; they are far from deserving such a character; and such boasting is contrary to truth, yea, is lying against it, as follows:

and lie not against the truth; for, for a man to assert himself to be a wise and knowing man, and yet cherishes bitterness in his heart, and quarrelling and contention in his mind, arising from envy, at the equal or superior knowledge of others, he lies both against the truth of God's word and his own conscience, which condemn such things as ignorance, folly, and madness.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Jam 3:1-18 - --1 We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others;5 but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerful instrument of much good, and gr...

MHCC: Jam 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...

Matthew Henry: Jam 3:13-18 - -- As the sins before condemned arise from an affectation of being thought more wise than others, and being endued with more knowledge than they, so th...

Barclay: Jam 3:13-14 - --James goes back, as it were, to the beginning of the chapter. His argument runs like this: "Is there any of you who wishes to be a real sage and a...

Constable: Jam 3:13-18 - --B. Controlling the Mind 3:13-18 As in the previous chapters, James began his discussion of human speech ...

Constable: Jam 3:14-16 - --2. The importance of graciousness 3:14-16 3:14 "Bitter jealousy" and "selfish ambition" are motives that must not inhabit the heart of a teacher or he...

College: Jam 3:1-18 - --JAMES 3 IX. TAMING THE TONGUE (3:1-12) 1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judg...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: James (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF JAMES BEFORE a.d. 50 By Way of Introduction The Author He claims to be James, and so the book is not anonymous. It is either ge...

JFB: James (Book Introduction) THIS is called by EUSEBIUS ([Ecclesiastical History, 2.23], about the year 330 A.D.) the first of the Catholic Epistles, that is, the Epistles intende...

JFB: James (Outline) INSCRIPTION: EXHORTATION ON HEARING, SPEAKING, AND WRATH. (Jam. 1:1-27) THE SIN OF RESPECT OF PERSONS: DEAD, UNWORKING FAITH SAVES NO MAN. (Jam. 2:1-...

TSK: James (Book Introduction) James, the son of Alphaeus, the brother of Jacob, and the near relation of our Lord, called also James the Less, probably because he was of lower stat...

TSK: James 3 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Jam 3:1, We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others; Jam 3:5, but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerful ins...

Poole: James 3 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 3

MHCC: James (Book Introduction) This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular errors at that time brou...

MHCC: James 3 (Chapter Introduction) (Jam 3:1-12) Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. (Jam 3:13-18) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition t...

Matthew Henry: James (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The General Epistle of James The writer of this epistle was not James the son of Zebedee; for he was pu...

Matthew Henry: James 3 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do ...

Barclay: James (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER OF JAMES James is one of the books which bad a very hard fight to get into the New Testament. Even when it did come to ...

Barclay: James 3 (Chapter Introduction) The Teacher's Peril (Jam_3:1) The Universal Danger (Jam_3:2) Little But Powerful (Jam_3:3-5) A Destructive Fire (Jam_3:5-6) The Corruption Within...

Constable: James (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background The writer of this epistle was evidently the half-b...

Constable: James (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1 II. Trials and true religion 1:2-27 A. The v...

Constable: James James Bibliography Adamson, James B. The Epistle of James. New International Commentary on the New Testament se...

Haydock: James (Book Introduction) THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES, THE APOSTLE. __________ ON THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES. INTRODUCTION. The seven following Epistles have bee...

Gill: James (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JAMES This epistle is called "general", because not written to any particular person, as the epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philem...

Gill: James 3 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 3 In this chapter the apostle cautions against censoriousness, and reproving others with a magisterial air; advises to bridle...

College: James (Book Introduction) FOREWORD I owe a debt of gratitude to many for assistance with this volume. John York and John Hunter are responsible for making me a part of the Co...

College: James (Outline) OUTLINE I. GREETING - 1:1 II. ENDURING TRIALS - 1:2-4 III. ASK FOR WISDOM - 1:5-8 IV. RICHES TEMPORARY - 1:9-11 V. TEMPTATION NOT FROM ...

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