YAC 3:15 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:13–18: The wisdom of God is quite different from the wisdom of the devil

This section has three paragraphs. First, in 3:13 James introduced the topic of wisdom. Then he continued with two paragraphs. In each paragraph he discussed one type of wisdom. The first type he discussed (in 3:14–16) is the false wisdom that does not come from God. The second type he discussed (in 3:17–18) is the true wisdom that does come from God.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

True Wisdom Comes from God (NLT)

Two Kinds of Wisdom (NIV)

Paragraph 3:14–16

In 3:14–16, James discussed false wisdom. People who have envy and personal ambition show that the wisdom that they claim to have is false. It does not come from God.

3:15a

Such wisdom does not come from above,

Wisdom like that does not come from God above
That is not the type of wisdom that comes from God in heaven.
It is not God who makes people “wise” like that.

Such wisdom: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as Such wisdom refers to the false type of wisdom indicated by the pronoun “it” in 3:14c. James was critical of this type of wisdom. He did not think that it was really wisdom at all.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

That kind of wisdom (CEV)

This so-called wisdom

The kind of wisdom that is like that

This is not the kind of wisdom that

does not come from above: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as does not come down from above means that this wisdom did not come from God. Those people who claimed to be wise and yet had bitterness in their hearts did not have the true wisdom that is from God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

does not come from above (NET)

does not come from God (NCV)

The phrase “is from above” also occurs in 1:17a. See also heaven, meaning 3, in the Glossary.

General Comment on 3:15a

Some other ways to translate 3:15a are:

God is not the one who gives such wisdom.

God is not the one who makes people wise like that.

3:15b

but is earthly,

but from this earth.
Instead, it comes from this world.
Rather, it comes from people here on the earth.

but: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but introduces a strong contrast. The contrast is between the place where this false wisdom (3:15a) does not come from and the place where this wisdom (3:15b–d) actually does come from.

This same conjunction occurs in 2:18a.

earthly: The Greek adjective that the BSB translates as earthly indicates that false wisdom comes from the earth. It comes from humans. This word contrasts with the word “above” in 3:15a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

from the world (NCV)

it comes from this world (JBP)

it comes from people here on the earth

3:15c

unspiritual,

It comes from the thoughts of human beings.
It comes from people who do not have the Spirit of God.
It is human thoughts.

unspiritual: The Greek adjective that the BSB translates as unspiritual indicates that false wisdom comes from natural, human life. In other words, this type of wisdom comes from people who do not have the Spirit of God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

It comes from the thoughts of human beings.

It does not come from the Holy Spirit.

It comes from people who do not have the Holy Spirit in them.

3:15d

demonic.

And it is from demons.
It comes from the devil/Satan.
It is the way that evil spirits think.

demonic: The Greek adjective that the BSB translates as demonic is literally “of demons.” This indicates that false wisdom comes from demons. When people are guided by this kind of wisdom, they do the kind of wicked things that demons do.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

devilish (RSV)

demonic (GNT)

it is from the devil (NCV)

and comes from the devil himself (CEV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

αὕτη

this

This refers to the “bitter jealousy and ambition” that James describes in the previous verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [This bitter jealousy and ambition]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ σοφία

the wisdom

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun wisdom with an adjective such as “wise.” Alternate translation: [the wise way of living]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη

from_above coming_down

James says from above, meaning “from heaven,” as a spatial metaphor that means “from God.” Alternate translation: [that comes from God] or [that God teaches]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐπίγειος

earthly

The word earthly refers to the values and behavior of people who do not honor God. James uses the word by association with the way such people live on earth without regard for the values and behavior that are characteristic of heaven. Alternate translation: [not honoring to God]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ψυχική

soulish

James is using one part of the human being, the soul, as opposed to another part, the spirit, to mean “unspiritual.” The sense could be either that this behavior has no regard for spiritual things or that it does not come from the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: [unspiritual]

δαιμονιώδης

demonic

Alternate translation: [from demons] or [like the behavior of demons]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear YAC (JAM) 3:15

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 3:13–18: The wisdom of God is quite different from the wisdom of the devil

Paragraph 3:14–16

3:15a

General Comment on 3:15a

3:15b

3:15c

3:15d

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)