3:16a
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces the basis for the comment in 3:15. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction.
where jealousy and selfish ambition exist: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as where jealousy and selfish ambition exist is literally “where envy and selfish ambition.” There is no verb in Greek here. James meant “where there is envy and selfish ambition….”
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
where you have envy and selfish ambition (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
Whenever people are jealous or selfish (Contemporary English Version)
jealousy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as jealousy is the same word as in 3:14a–b. It can also mean “envy”.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
envious
-or-
jealous (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
unhappy when others succeed
selfish ambition: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as selfish ambition can also be translated as “selfishness” (as in the NET Bible). This is the same word as in 3:14a–b. It refers to the attitude of someone who works to advance his own interests even if it harms or offends others. Here you may use the same word as in 3:14, or you may use a synonym.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
selfishness (NET Bible)
-or-
rivalry (God’s Word)
For some other ways to translate this word, see the examples at 3:14a–b.
3:16b
there will be disorder: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disorder describes an unstable state of affairs. It is the opposite of peace and calm. In this context, it means unrest in the church community. The adjective related to this word is used in 1:8b (“unstable”) and 3:8b (“restless”).
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
there you will have chaos
-or-
there will be confusion (New Century Version)
-or-
you also find disharmony (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
they will cause trouble
3:16c
every evil practice: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every evil practice means “all kinds of bad actions/behavior.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
every kind of evil (God’s Word)
-or-
wickedness of every kind (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
all kinds of wicked deeds
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.