pikros describes what is set in contrast to sweetness at a spring and characterizes zeal joined to rivalry.

The attested uses describe a bitter quality: in James 3:11 it is contrasted with sweetness in water from a spring, while in James 3:14 it characterizes zeal coupled with rivalry.

1. Bitter quality in water and zeal · dominant

   In James 3:11, the accusative singular neuter form occurs in the question about a spring pouring out sweetness and its opposite from one opening; the APB renders the contrast as “the sweet and the bitter.” In James 3:14, the accusative singular masculine form characterizes zeal alongside rivalry in the heart; the APB renders “bitter zeal and rivalry.”

   James 3:11James 3:14

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses “bitter” in both verses, first in contrast with “sweet” and then in the phrase “bitter zeal and rivalry.” These renderings confirm the clauses rather than isolate the term mechanically.