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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — James addresses the twelve tribes in the diaspora (1:1), here in the middle of a contrast between two kinds of wisdom (3:13–18). The verse arrives as the positive pole against the "earthly, sensual, devilish" wisdom of v.15.

The words — ἁγνή (hagnē), "pure," is the first quality listed and frames the rest; it denotes the absence of contaminating motive rather than mere external cleanliness. ἄνωθεν (anōthen), "from above," marks the source distinction that separates this wisdom from the "from below" wisdom of v.15.

The thread — The list mirrors the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 (peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness) and the character of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4 (patient, kind, not proud). Proverbs 2:6 grounds the source: wisdom is given by the LORD, not self-generated.

Why it lands — It is a diagnostic, not a goal: the order (pure first, then peace-loving, then gentle) implies that if the first is missing, the rest are performance. The reader is asked to check motive before checking behavior.

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

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Cross-references

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
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.
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.
1 Corinthians 2:6 Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.