Galatians 5:15

5:15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another, ¹  beware that you are not consumed ²  by one another.

James 3:14-16

3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 3:15 Such ³  wisdom does not come ⁴  from above but is earthly, natural, ⁵  demonic. 3:16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:1

The Power of the Tongue

3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, ⁶  because you know that we will be judged more strictly. ⁷ 

James 5:5

5:5 You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁸ 

¹ tn That is, “if you are harming and exploiting one another.” Paul’s metaphors are retained in most modern translations, but it is possible to see the meanings of δάκνω and κατεσθίω (daknw and katesqiw, L&N 20.26 and 88.145) as figurative extensions of the literal meanings of these terms and to translate them accordingly. The present tenses here are translated as customary presents (“continually…”).

² tn Or “destroyed.”

³ tn Grk “This.”

⁴ tn Grk “come down”; “descend.”

⁵ tn Grk “soulish,” which describes life apart from God, characteristic of earthly human life as opposed to what is spiritual. Cf. 1 Cor 2:14; 15:44-46; Jude 19.

⁶ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

⁷ tn Grk “will receive a greater judgment.”

⁸ sn James’ point seems to be that instead of seeking deliverance from condemnation, they have defied God’s law (fattened your hearts) and made themselves more likely objects of his judgment (in a day of slaughter).