James 3:16
For where envy and selfish ambition are, there is instability and every evil deed.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
In Context
15This wisdom is not descending from above, but is earthly, world-soul, demonic.
Cross References
Genesis 11:9Therefore the name of it was called Babel, because LORD there confounded the language of all the earth, and from there LORD scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Mark 3:25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
1 Corinthians 3:3for ye are still carnal. For whereas among you is envy and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk according to man?
Galatians 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strifes, jealousies, wraths, selfish ambitions, dissentions, factions,
1 John 3:12Not as Cain. He was of the wicked, and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were wrong, and his brother's right.
Matthew Henry on James 3:14-18
Properties of Wisdom. ( a. d. 61.) 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be… Read the whole commentary →