Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don`t boast and don`t lie against the truth.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Heart of the Matter
Commentators emphasize that the sins of "bitter jealousy and faction" are located "in your heart." Even if these attitudes are not expressed outwardly, they disqualify any claim to true wisdom. Scholars note that the heart is the true source, and harboring envy or selfish ambition while boasting of knowledge is a profound self-deception and a lie against the truth.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
James
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
6
18th Century
Presbyterian
But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts. If that is your characteristic. There is reference here to a fierce and unholy z…
Bitter jealousy (ζηλον πικρον). Ζηλος occurs in N.T. in good sense (John 2:17) and bad sense (Acts 5:17). …
19th Century
Anglican
But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts.—Rather, it should be, bitter zeal and party-spirit. “A…
Consider supporting our work
The specific form of “if” used here suggests that some of James’s readers were harboring “bitter envy and selfish ambition” in their hearts. “Selfi…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts , &c.] Though these may not be expressed by words, or actio…
These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not w…
Get curated content & updates
