James 3:15 “Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, dem…”

James 3:15

Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

World English Bible

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

American Standard Version

This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Geneva Bible 1599

This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, and deuilish.

Darby Translation

This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.

Young's Literal Translation

this wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, physical, demon-like,

Bible in Basic English

This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.

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Cross references

“wisdom”

James 3:17 James 1:17 John 3:17 Philippians 3:19 James 1:5 1 Corinthians 3:3

James 3:17 · BSB

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

James 1:17 · BSB

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 · BSB

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Philippians 3:19 · BSB

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

James 1:5 · BSB

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.

1 Corinthians 3:3 · BSB

for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

“but”

1 Corinthians 3:19 2 Corinthians 1:12 Jude 1:19 Jeremiah 4:22 2 Samuel 16:23 Luke 16:8

1 Corinthians 3:19 · BSB

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

2 Corinthians 1:12 · BSB

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…

Jude 1:19 · BSB

These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

Jeremiah 4:22 · BSB

“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”

2 Samuel 16:23 · BSB

Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

Luke 16:8 · BSB

The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.

“sensual”

1 Corinthians 2:14

1 Corinthians 2:14 · BSB

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.

“devilish”

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 Genesis 3:1–5 John 8:44 Acts 13:10 2 Corinthians 11:3 1 John 3:8–10

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 · BSB

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

Genesis 3:1–5 · BSB

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

John 8:44 · BSB

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native langua…

Acts 13:10 · BSB

and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

2 Corinthians 11:3 · BSB

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

1 John 3:8–10 · BSB

The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

Also

1 Timothy 4:1 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Revelation 2:24

1 Timothy 4:1 · BSB

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

2 Thessalonians 2:9 · BSB

The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

Revelation 2:24 · BSB

But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: I will place no further burden upon you

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

Read James 3