James 3 14

James 3:14 kjv

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

James 3:14 nkjv

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

James 3:14 niv

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

James 3:14 esv

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

James 3:14 nlt

But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying.

James 3 verses

James 3 14 Meaning

James 3:14 warns against the hypocrisy of claiming to possess true wisdom while harboring internal bitter envy and selfish ambition. It asserts that if these destructive desires are present in one's heart, any boasting about spiritual knowledge or good character is a deceptive lie, directly contradicting the very nature of God's truth. The verse exposes a fundamental incompatibility between genuine Christian wisdom and worldly, self-serving motivations.

James 3 14 Context

James chapter 3 focuses primarily on the power and dangers of the tongue, connecting its use to the type of wisdom that resides in a person's heart. Following an instruction on the need for genuine humility and meekness (James 3:13), verse 14 introduces a stark contrast, outlining what true wisdom is not. It lays the groundwork for James's exposition of "earthly, sensual, demonic" wisdom in opposition to "wisdom from above" (James 3:15-18). Historically, James's epistle was addressed to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, facing various trials and likely internal divisions. The apostle seeks to correct moral and behavioral inconsistencies within the Christian community, emphasizing that true faith is always demonstrated by righteous conduct, not mere verbal profession or outward appearance of spirituality.

James 3 14 Word analysis

• But if: Introduces a conditional statement, contrasting with the meekness and good conduct mentioned in the preceding verse. It highlights a hypothetical (but often actual) situation that is contrary to the way believers should live.
• you have: Greek echēte (ἔχητε), present active subjunctive, indicating an existing state or persistent possession. This signifies that the envy and ambition are deeply seated within them, not merely transient thoughts.
• bitter: Greek pikran (πικράν). An adjective describing envy, implying an unpleasant, acrid, or resentful quality. It speaks of a sharpness, ill will, or hostility, far removed from genuine love or grace.
• envy: Greek zēlon (ζῆλον). This word can carry a positive meaning (zeal for God, righteous indignation) but when combined with "bitter" and "selfish ambition," it denotes a negative, destructive jealousy—resentment over another's success, possessions, or status, often accompanied by ill-will and rivalry.
• and selfish ambition: Greek kai eritheian (καὶ ἐριθείαν). The conjunction "and" links these two negative traits, indicating they often coexist or fuel each other. Eritheia originally meant "yarn-spinning for hire," then evolved to mean "selfish partisanship," "rivalry," "faction-forming," or "self-seeking." It describes a motivation to promote oneself, often through contention or competition, rather than out of love or for the common good.
• in your hearts: Greek en tais kardiais hymōn (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν). The heart in biblical understanding is the core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character. This phrase stresses that these vices are not just external actions, but deep-seated, internal motivations, revealing the true spiritual condition of a person. It points to the internal source of behavior.
• do not boast: Greek mē kauchasthē (μὴ καυχᾶσθε), a prohibitive imperative. It's a direct command to stop or not to begin boasting. Boasting here implies a proud and self-assured assertion, often about one's spiritual maturity, knowledge, or perceived superiority, which contradicts the hidden reality of envy and selfish ambition.
• and tell lies: Greek kai pseudesthē (καὶ ψεύδεσθε). Also a prohibitive imperative. It means to speak falsehoods or act deceptively. This is a direct consequence of harboring envy and selfish ambition while claiming godliness. The boasting is the lie.
• against the truth: Greek kata tēs alētheias (κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας). This indicates direct opposition or hostility towards truth. "The truth" refers to God's revealed truth—the Gospel, Christian doctrine, and the principles of righteous living embodied in Christ. To act hypocritically while harboring these sins is to discredit and defame the very truth one professes.

Words-group analysis:

• "bitter envy and selfish ambition": This coupling describes a destructive, inwardly focused mindset that seeks personal advantage at the expense of others, characterized by resentment and rivalry. These are vices that corrupt the inner spiritual life and subsequently outward actions.
• "in your hearts": This emphasizes that the root of sinful behavior lies not merely in actions, but in the internal state of a person. It highlights the depth and insidious nature of these vices.
• "do not boast and tell lies against the truth": This warns against the hypocrisy and deception inherent in such a state. Any claim of spiritual insight or purity by one harboring these sins is exposed as a falsehood, actively undermining the integrity and reality of divine truth.

James 3 14 Bonus section

• This verse directly sets up the profound contrast James makes between "earthly, sensual, demonic" wisdom and "wisdom from above" in James 3:15-18. Bitter envy and selfish ambition are precisely the characteristics of the former, leading to "disorder and every evil practice."
• The emphasis on the "heart" (kardia) is crucial throughout Scripture, where it represents the center of one's personality, thoughts, will, and spiritual life. James, consistent with the Old Testament prophetic tradition, insists that God examines the heart, and true righteousness begins there.
• The term "selfish ambition" (eritheia) implies a pursuit of personal agenda, often through factionalism and striving, which stands in direct opposition to the unity and humility promoted elsewhere in the New Testament (e.g., Phil 2:3).
• This verse acts as a vital diagnostic tool for a Christian community: if internal strife, jealousy, and self-promotion are evident, it reveals an absence of divine wisdom and presence of counterfeit "wisdom."

James 3 14 Commentary

James 3:14 delivers a sharp rebuke to spiritual hypocrisy, contrasting superficial religious observance with genuine inner transformation. It argues that the presence of bitter envy and selfish ambition at the core of one's being (the "heart") fundamentally negates any claim to true wisdom or godliness. When these vices are present, outward boasting about spiritual maturity or good works becomes a direct lie, not just against others, but "against the truth" itself—God's objective reality, His Word, and the person of Christ. This verse reveals that authentic faith produces fruits of humility, peace, and love, diametrically opposed to the conflict and division spawned by envy and self-promotion. It calls for profound self-examination, urging believers to align their inner desires with their outer professions of faith, emphasizing integrity of character over mere outward appearance.

• Example 1: A church member publicly claims to be humble and prayerful, but secretly harbors resentment when others are recognized for their service, subtly undermining their efforts.
• Example 2: A Christian leader preaches unity, yet fosters division behind the scenes to secure their own position of power within the congregation.