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Selected Verse: James 3:16 - King James

Verse         Translation Text
Jas 3:16 King James For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
envying--So English Version translates the Greek, which usually means "zeal"; "emulation," in Rom 13:13. "The envious man stands in his own light. He thinks his candle cannot shine in the presence of another's sun. He aims directly at men, obliquely at God, who makes men to differ."

strife--rivalry [ALFORD].

confusion--literally, "tumultuous anarchy": both in society (translated "commotions," Luk 21:9; "tumults," Co2 6:5), and in the individual mind; in contrast to the "peaceable" composure of true "wisdom," Jam 3:17. James does not honor such effects of this earthly wisdom with the name "fruit," as he does in the case of the wisdom from above. Jam 3:18; compare Gal 5:19-22, "works of the flesh . . . fruit of the Spirit."
 
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19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
17 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.
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.