James 3:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} if {G1487} ye have {G2192} bitter {G4089} envying {G2205} and {G2532} strife {G2052} in {G1722} your {G5216} hearts {G2588}, glory {G2620} not {G3361}, and {G2532} lie not {G5574} against {G2596} the truth {G225}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, don’t boast and attack the truth with lies!

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 3:14 serves as a stark warning against a deceptive form of "wisdom" that is not from God but is rooted in selfish ambition and jealousy. It exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim spiritual insight or superiority while harboring bitter envy and strife in their hearts. Such internal corruption, James asserts, contradicts the very essence of truth and disqualifies any boast of genuine wisdom, revealing a worldly, rather than divine, orientation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 3:14 is strategically positioned within James's broader discourse on the nature of true wisdom, immediately following his extensive warnings about the destructive power of the tongue (James 3:1-12). Having established that the tongue, though small, can wreak immense havoc, James transitions to the underlying source of such destructive speech and behavior: the heart's disposition and the kind of wisdom one embraces. Verses 13-18 directly contrast two types of wisdom: the "earthly, sensual, devilish" wisdom described in verses 14-16, and the "wisdom from above" detailed in verse 17. Thus, James 3:14 sets the stage by identifying the tell-tale signs of false wisdom, which manifest as internal bitterness and external conflict, directly opposing the peaceable and pure nature of godly wisdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** James's letter is addressed to Jewish Christians dispersed among the nations, likely facing internal community challenges and external pressures. Within the early church, issues of status, leadership, and doctrinal purity often led to disputes. The concept of "wisdom" was highly valued in both Jewish and Hellenistic cultures; however, James challenges the prevailing notions, distinguishing between a worldly cleverness that fosters division and a divine wisdom that promotes righteousness and peace. The presence of "bitter envying and strife" suggests real tensions within the communities James addressed, possibly stemming from competition for influence, spiritual pride, or disagreements over teachings, mirroring the issues Paul addressed in churches like Corinth (e.g., [1 Corinthians 3:3](/1_corinthians/3-3 "1 Corinthians 3:3 - Divisions in the Church")). James confronts the reality that some believers might outwardly profess faith or claim spiritual understanding while inwardly harboring attitudes antithetical to the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in James's letter. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **True vs. False Wisdom**, arguing that genuine wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but is demonstrated by righteous conduct and humility, in stark contrast to the "earthly, sensual, devilish" wisdom that produces disorder and every evil thing (see [James 3:15-16](/james/3-15-16 "James 3:15-16 - Earthly Wisdom")). Secondly, it highlights the **Importance of the Heart Condition**, emphasizing that internal attitudes like envy and strife are the root cause of external problems, including destructive speech and conflict, aligning with Jesus' teaching that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (as found in [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Heart")). Thirdly, the verse addresses **Hypocrisy and Integrity**, challenging those who boast of their wisdom while their actions and attitudes betray a lack of truth, urging believers towards a consistent walk where their claims align with their character, a theme also explored in [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Doers of the Word")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Envying (Greek, _zēlos'_):** From ζέω (zeō), meaning "to boil," this term properly denotes "heat" or "fervor." While it can refer to positive zeal or ardor (e.g., for God), in a negative sense, as here, it signifies "jealousy" or "malice." When combined with "bitter" (G4089 _pikrós_), it paints a vivid picture of a harsh, resentful, and acrimonious form of jealousy that is destructive and competitive.
* **Strife (Greek, _eritheía'_):** This word is derived from a root suggesting "to be a hireling" or "to work for pay," and thus came to mean "intrigue" or "faction." In the New Testament, it consistently refers to selfish ambition, rivalry, or contention, emphasizing a self-serving drive that leads to division and party spirit rather than unity and cooperation. It describes a contentious spirit motivated by self-interest.
* **Lie (Greek, _pseúdomai'_):** This is a primary verb meaning "to utter an untruth" or "to attempt to deceive by falsehood." In this context, it refers to the act of speaking falsely about oneself or one's spiritual condition, specifically by boasting of wisdom or truthfulness while harboring the very qualities (envy and strife) that contradict true wisdom and truth. It implies a deliberate misrepresentation of reality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts":** This opening clause presents a conditional statement, directly addressing the internal state of the readers. "Bitter envying" (pikrós zēlos) describes a harsh, acrimonious jealousy or resentment, while "strife" (eritheía) denotes selfish ambition, rivalry, or factionalism. The phrase "in your hearts" is crucial, emphasizing that these destructive attitudes originate from one's innermost being, the seat of desires, motives, and character, rather than being mere external behaviors.
* **"glory not":** This is a direct imperative, a command to cease boasting or bragging. If one's heart is filled with envy and strife, any claim to superior wisdom, spiritual insight, or moral uprightness is a hollow boast. James challenges the hypocrisy of claiming a high spiritual standing while being inwardly corrupt.
* **"and lie not against the truth":** This second imperative reinforces the first. To "lie against the truth" means to contradict the very essence of what is true about God, about genuine wisdom, and about one's own spiritual condition. If one's life is characterized by bitter envy and strife, then any assertion of possessing true wisdom or living in accordance with God's truth is a falsehood and a misrepresentation of reality. The truth here refers to the Gospel, the nature of God, and the character expected of believers.

#### Literary Devices
James employs several potent literary devices in this verse. **Conditional Statement** ("But if ye have...") immediately sets up a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the consequence of harboring negative internal states. The use of **Figurative Language**, particularly the phrase "in your hearts," employs **Metonymy** where "hearts" represents the core of one's being, the source of thoughts, emotions, and intentions. This emphasizes that true wisdom (or its absence) is an internal matter before it becomes an external manifestation. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by implicitly contrasting the outward claim of "glorying" or speaking "truth" with the inward reality of "bitter envying and strife," thereby exposing **Hypocrisy**. Finally, the direct **Admonition** or **Imperative** ("glory not, and lie not") serves as a strong, unequivocal command, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of the warning against such ungodly attitudes and their deceptive outward expressions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 3:14 profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of the human heart as the wellspring of life, from which all actions and words flow. It underscores that true spiritual wisdom is not merely intellectual assent or outward profession but is fundamentally a matter of the heart's disposition, characterized by humility, peace, and purity, rather than by self-seeking ambition or destructive jealousy. This verse challenges the notion that one can possess genuine spiritual insight while simultaneously harboring ungodly attitudes, asserting that such a claim is a lie against the very truth of God's character and His call to righteousness. It highlights the pervasive biblical theme that God looks beyond outward appearances to the inner condition of the heart, where true transformation must begin.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Galatians 5:19-21](/galatians/5-19-21 "Galatians 5:19-21 - Works of the Flesh")
* [Romans 13:13](/romans/13-13 "Romans 13:13 - Living Honorably")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 3:14 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting believers to engage in honest, introspective self-examination. It compels us to look beyond outward appearances, spiritual claims, or even perceived successes, and to scrutinize the true condition of our hearts. Are we genuinely seeking God's wisdom, which is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (as described in [James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - Wisdom from Above"))? Or are we, perhaps subtly, harboring resentments, competitive spirits, or selfish ambitions that, if left unchecked, will inevitably manifest in destructive ways and contradict the truth we claim to uphold? This verse calls us to cultivate a radical integrity, where our internal motives align with our external profession of faith, ensuring that our "wisdom" is truly from above, producing righteousness and peace, rather than the disorder and evil that stem from earthly, self-serving desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific situations or relationships in my life tend to trigger feelings of envy or a competitive spirit?**
* **In what ways might I be subtly "glorying" or boasting about my spiritual insights or achievements, while my heart harbors ungodly attitudes?**
* **How does my daily conduct, particularly my speech and reactions to others, reflect either "bitter envying and strife" or the "wisdom from above"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to allow the Holy Spirit to expose and purify my heart from hidden envy and selfish ambition?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between "bitter envying" and "strife" as described in this verse?**

Answer: While related, "bitter envying" (Greek: _pikrós zēlos_) refers to a harsh, resentful, and often malicious form of jealousy or rivalry, where one desires what another has or resents another's success. It's an internal, acrimonious feeling. "Strife" (Greek: _eritheía_), on the other hand, specifically denotes selfish ambition, factionalism, or contention. It describes a self-serving drive that leads to division and rivalry, often manifesting in outward actions or attempts to gain advantage. So, bitter envying is the internal, corrosive emotion, while strife is the active, self-interested pursuit of one's own agenda, often at the expense of others, leading to conflict. Both are characteristics of earthly wisdom, as contrasted with the wisdom from above in [James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - Characteristics of Heavenly Wisdom").

**What does it mean to "lie not against the truth" in this context?**

Answer: To "lie not against the truth" means to avoid contradicting the fundamental realities of God's character, His kingdom, and the nature of genuine Christian living. If one claims to possess true wisdom or to be a follower of Christ, yet harbors "bitter envying and strife" in their heart, their very life becomes a falsehood that contradicts the truth of the Gospel. The truth here encompasses the pure, peaceable, and humble nature of God's wisdom. Therefore, boasting of spiritual insight while living in envy and strife is a direct affront to the truth, exposing a profound hypocrisy where outward profession does not align with inward reality, as Jesus Himself warned about those who honor Him with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him (see [Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Honor with Lips, Heart Far Off")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 3:14, with its stark warning against bitter envy and strife, finds its ultimate fulfillment and antidote in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ perfectly embodies the "wisdom from above" that James contrasts with earthly wisdom. Unlike those driven by selfish ambition and jealousy, Jesus lived a life of profound humility and self-sacrifice, consistently seeking the Father's will rather than His own glory (as seen in [John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Seeks God's Will")). He exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders whose hearts were filled with envy and self-righteousness, even as they claimed to uphold the truth (e.g., [Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Through His atoning death and resurrection, Christ provides the means for a radical transformation of the human heart, replacing the "bitter envying and strife" that characterize fallen humanity with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (as detailed in [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). In Him, believers are empowered to live lives of genuine integrity, where their inward disposition aligns with the truth of the Gospel, demonstrating the authentic wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy, rather than lying against it.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 3:16

For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.

1 Corinthians 13:4

¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Philippians 2:3

[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

1 Corinthians 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?

Romans 13:13

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

1 Peter 2:1

¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,