But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,.... Though these may not be expressed by words, or actions: envy at the happiness of others, whether at the external blessings of Providence, as riches and honours, or at the internal endowments of their minds, as their wisdom and knowledge, their parts and abilities, is a root of bitterness in the heart, which bears wormwood and gall, and produces bitter effects in the persons in whom it is; it embitters their minds against their neighbours and friends; it is rottenness in their bones, and slays and destroys those who are so silly as to be governed by it; and also in the persons the objects of it; for who can stand before it?
Bible Commentary
James 3:14
James 3:14
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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James 3 — OverviewJames 3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue;
and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to
do mischief. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern…James 3 — OverviewJames 3 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeJames 3:1, We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others; James 3:5, but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, but a powerful instrument of much good, and great harm; James 3:13, They who are truly wise are…James 3 — OverviewJames 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter the apostle cautions against censoriousness, and reproving others with a magisterial air; advises to bridle the tongue, and guard against the vices of it; and shows what true wisdom is, and from whence…James 3:1-18James 3:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONJames 3:13-18James 3:13-18 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleAs the sins before condemned arise from an affectation of being thought
more wise than others, and being endued with more knowledge than they,
so the apostle in these verses shows the difference between men's…James 3:13-16James 3:13-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryFalse wisdom.
The apostle suggests here that those who aspired too hastily to become Christian teachers (James 3:1) showed themselves to be sadly deficient in wisdom. They were unwise at once in their estimate of their…
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