James 3:14

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, etc.] 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? and…”

“if ye have--as is the case (this is implied in the Greek indicative). bitter-- Eph 4:31, "bitterness." envying--rather, "emulation," or literally, "zeal": kindly, generous emulation, or zeal, is not condemned, but that which is "bitter" [BENGEL]. strife--rather, "rivalry." in your hearts--from which flow your words and deeds, as from a fountain. glory not, and lie not against the truth--To boast of your wisdom is virtually a lying against the truth (the gospel), while your lives belie your glorying. Jam 3:15; Jam 1:18, "The word of truth." Rom 2:17, Rom 2:23, speaks similarly of the same contentious Jewish Christians.”

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts - If that is your characteristic. There is reference here to a fierce and unholy zeal against each other; a spirit of ambition and contention. Glory not - Do not boast, in such a case, of your qualifications to be public teachers. Nothing would render you more unfit for such an office than such a spirit. And lie not against the truth - You would lie against what is true by setting up a claim to the requisite qualifications for such an office, if this is your spirit. Men should seek no office or station which they could not properly seek if the whole truth about them were known. return to 'Top of Page'”

“If ye have bitter zeal - True Christian zeal is only the flame of love. Even in your hearts - Though it went no farther. Do not lie against the truth - As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom. James 3:15”

“3:14 The truth is that wisdom cannot be associated with jealousy and selfish ambition. Only in humility can we receive God’s true word (1:18, 21).”

“if: Jam 3:16, Jam 4:1-5; Gen 30:1, Gen 30:2, Gen 37:11; Job 5:2; Pro 14:30, Pro 27:4; Isa 11:13; Hab 1:3; Mat 27:18; Act 5:17, Act 7:9, Act 13:45; Rom 1:29, Rom 13:13; Co1 3:3, Co1 13:4; Co2 12:20; Gal 5:15, Gal 5:21, Gal 5:26; Phi 1:15, Phi 2:3; Ti1 6:4; Tit 3:3; Pe1 2:1, Pe1 2:2 glory: Rom 2:17, Rom 2:23-29; Co1 4:7, Co1 4:8, Co1 5:2, Co1 5:6; Gal 6:13 and lie: Kg2 10:16, Kg2 10:31; Joh 16:2; Act 26:9 James 3:15”