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This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Counterfeit Wisdom
Commentators unanimously agree that the 'wisdom' James describes is a counterfeit. It's not a lesser form of godly wisdom but a completely different category that masquerades as insight. While it may involve cleverness, skill, or shrewd argumentation, its source and character are ungodly, proven by the envy and selfish ambition it produces.
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Book Overview
James
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7
18th Century
Presbyterian
This wisdom descendeth not from above. (See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 3:3).
The wisdom here referred to is that …
This wisdom (αυτη η σοφια). All talk and disproved by the life, counterfeit wisdom, not real wisdom (1:5; 3:17).
Co…
19th Century
Anglican
This wisdom descendeth not from above...—A better rendering is, This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is…
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Though James refers to the attitude described in v.14 as “wisdom,” he obviously does not mean that it is genuine wisdom. On the contrary, it is the…
16th Century
Protestant
This wisdom does not descend. As hypocrites with difficulty give way, he sharply checked their haughtiness, denying that to be true wisdom…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
This wisdom descends not from above If it must be called wisdom, as it ought not; an envious, quarrelsome, and conte…
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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…
