Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 3:16

"For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed." — James 3:16 (ASV)

The conjunction “for” indicates that bitter zeal and selfish ambition always result in “disorder and every evil practice.” “Disorder” (GK 189) is a common word for anarchy and political turmoil (Luke uses it to refer to political uprisings in Lk 21:9). James is no doubt speaking of disturbance and turmoil in the church. The “evil practice” refers specifically to worthless activity, to deeds that are bad because they are good for nothing and cannot produce any real benefit. Selfish zeal and ambition, then, always tend to destroy spiritual life and work.