Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
This wisdom—in which ye "glory," as if ye were "wise" (James 3:13-14).
descendeth not from above—literally, "is not one descending," etc.: "from the Father of lights" (true illumination and wisdom), James 1:17; through "the Spirit of truth," John 15:26.
earthly—opposed to heavenly. Distinct from "earthy," I Corinthians 15:47. Earthly is what is IN the earth; earthy, what is of the earth.
sensual—literally, "animal-like": the wisdom of the "natural" (the same Greek) man, not born again of God; "not having the Spirit" (Judges 1:19).
devilish—in its origin (from "hell," James 3:6; not from God, the Giver of true wisdom, James 1:5), and also in its character, which accords with its origin. Earthly, sensual, and devilish, answer to the three spiritual foes of man, the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 3:15:
Zechariah 14:13
1 Corinthians 2:14
1 Timothy 4:1
James 1:17
James 2:14
James 3:14
James 3:17
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