James 3:14 Meaning and Explanation
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Where bitter envy and selfish ambition rule the heart, there is no room for boasting.
What Does James 3:14 Mean?
James warns of a false wisdom. If you have bitter envy and selfish strife in your hearts, do not boast and so lie against the truth. To claim wisdom while harboring jealousy and rivalry is to deny the truth by one's very life.
The bitterness is inward, hidden in the heart, and it poisons everything that flows out, including any claim to be wise. To glory in such a state is self-deception, a lie told against what is real. James exposes the gap between professed wisdom and an envious, contentious heart. The wisdom from above, which he is about to describe, looks nothing like this. The reader is called to honesty about what truly fills the heart, for no boast can cover a spirit ruled by envy.
James 3:14 in the Original Language
zelos (ζῆλος), 'envying' -- jealous zeal, here the bitter jealousy that breeds strife.
Frequently Asked Questions About James 3:14
What does James 3:14 mean?
Where bitter envy and selfish ambition rule the heart, there is no room for boasting.