James 3:15

15 This wisdome descedeth not from a boue: but is erthy and naturall and divelisshe.

James 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

James 3:15

This wisdom descendeth not from above
If it must be called wisdom, as it ought not; an envious, quarrelsome, and contentious spirit, does not deserve such a name; yet if any will call it so, or can think that a man of such a disposition is a man possessed of wisdom; it is such wisdom as does not come from above, from heaven, from the Father of lights, from Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and from the spirit of wisdom and revelation: what the Jews say ^F15 of the wisdom of Egypt, may be said of this, that it is (hatt hmkx) "wisdom from below", or inferior wisdom, as it follows:

but is earthly, sensual, and devilish;
it is "earthly", or of the earth, and springs from thence; and it is only conversant about earthly things, and is only suitable to earthly minds: it is sensual, or natural; what a natural man, one destitute of the Spirit of God, and without the knowledge of the things of the Spirit, may have; it is what is acquired by the mere strength of nature, and only relates to natural things; and is only agreeable to corrupt nature, or to a natural and unregenerate man: yea, it is devilish, or such as the devil himself has; and which comes from him, and being used, serves only his kingdom and interest.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F15 Zohar in Gen. fol. 119. 2.

James 3:15 In-Context

13 So can no fountayne geve bothe salt water and fresshe also. If eny man be wyse and endued with learnynge amonge you let him shewe the workes of his good conversacio in meknes that ys coupled with wisdome.

14 But Yf ye have bitter envyinge and stryfe in youre hertes reioyce not: nether be lyars agaynst the trueth.

15 This wisdome descedeth not from a boue: but is erthy and naturall and divelisshe.

16 For where envyinge and stryfe is there is stablenes and all maner of evyll workes.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is fyrst pure then peasable gentle and easy to be entreated full of mercy and good frutes without iudgynge and without simulacio: