Bible Strands
James 3:15
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James writes to Jewish believers in the diaspora who are quarreling among themselves. He has just accused them of boasting in bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (3:14) and now names the source of the "wisdom" that fuels it.
The words — katerchomenē (κατερχομένη) is a present participle of katerchomai, a continuous descending motion, paired with anōthen (ἄνωθεν), "from above." The image is of something that should be pouring down from a higher source but is not.
The thread — James 3:17 immediately defines what wisdom does come from above; 1 Corinthians 3:19 calls the wisdom of this world foolishness in God's sight; James 1:17 grounds every good and perfect gift in the Father of lights.
Why it lands — It is a diagnostic, not a command: the reader must check whether the "wisdom" they are producing is rooted in self-advancement or in something else. The verse forces a choice between two sources and refuses to let the reader remain neutral.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Cross-references
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
- James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
- 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.