James 3:16 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“For where envying and strife {is}, there {is} confusion and every evil work. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}”

James 3:16

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but {is} earthly, sensual, devilish. {sensual: or, natural}

For where envying and strife {is}, there {is} confusion and every evil work. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, {and} easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. {partiality: or, wrangling}

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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James 3:1

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. {condemnation: or, judgment}"

James 3:2

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same {is} a perfect man, {and} able also to bridle the whole body."

James 3:3

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body."

James 3:4

"Behold also the ships, which though {they be} so great, and {are} driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."

James 3:5

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {a matter: or, wood}"

James 3:6

"And the tongue {is} a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. {course: Gr. wheel}"

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