James 3:15

3:15 Such ¹  wisdom does not come ²  from above but is earthly, natural, ³  demonic.

James 1:17

1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift ⁴  is from above, coming down ⁵  from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. ⁶ 

James 3:17

3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, ⁷  full of mercy and good fruit, ⁸  impartial, and not hypocritical. ⁹ 

[3:15]  ¹ tn Grk “This.”

[3:15]  ² tn Grk “come down”; “descend.”

[3:15]  ³ 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.

[1:17]  ⁴ tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.

[1:17]  ⁵ tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”

[1:17]  ⁶ tn Grk “variation or shadow of turning” (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).

[3:17]  ⁷ tn Or “willing to yield,” “open to persuasion.”

[3:17]  ⁸ tn Grk “fruits.” The plural Greek term καρπούς has been translated with the collective singular “fruit.”

[3:17]  ⁹ tn Or “sincere.”