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James 3:15

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

KJV

οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη, ἀλλὰ ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης·

Greek NT

non est enim ista sapientia desursum descendens : sed terrena, animalis, diabolica.

Vulgate

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

ASV

For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

11 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

δαιμονιώδης
daimoniodes
adjective · 1×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
κατέρχομαι
katerchomai
verb · 16×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
οὗτος
outos
demonstrative · 1380×
σοφία
sophia
noun · 51×
ψυχικός
psuchikos
adjective · 6×
ἀλλά
alla
conjunction · 636×
ἄνωθεν
anothen
adverb · 13×
ἐπίγειος
epigeios
adjective · 7×
o
article · 19778×

Themes

Historic Christian voices

4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Should wisdom be reckoned among the gifts of the Holy Ghost? What is its subject? Is wisdom only speculative or also practical? Is the wisdom that is a gift compatible with mortal sin? Is it in all those who have sanctifying grace? Which beatitude corresponds to it? Article 1. Whether wisdom should be reckoned among the gifts of the Holy Ghost? Objection 1. It would seem that w…

Cross-references

  • 1Cor 1:19 — For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
  • 1Cor 2:6 — Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
  • 1Cor 2:6 — Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
  • 1Cor 2:14 — But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
  • 1Cor 2:14 — But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
  • 1Cor 3:3 — For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
  • 1Cor 3:19 — For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
  • 1John 2:16 — For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  • 1Tim 4:1 — Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
  • 2Cor 1:12 — For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and mor
  • 2Cor 11:13 — For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
  • 2Sam 15:31 — And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
  • Dan 2:21 — And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
  • Eph 4:2 — With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
  • Jas 1:5 — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
  • Jas 1:17 — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
  • Jas 1:17 — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
  • Jas 3:17 — 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.
  • Jas 3:17 — 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.
  • Jer 4:22 — For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
  • John 3:17 — For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
  • John 8:23 — And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
  • Jude 1:19 — These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
  • Jude 1:19 — These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
  • Luke 12:18 — And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
  • Mark 8:33 — But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
  • Phil 3:19 — Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
  • Prov 2:7 — He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
  • Rev 16:14 — For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.