#1590 James 3 Wisdom

 

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3: 13-18 LSB

James 3: 13-18

While some writers feel James is speaking primarily to teachers (James 3:1), there is nothing in this section which indicates it would not also be applicable to all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. And so I agree with John MacArthur's analysis of James 3:13-18 - "Some interpreters believe the phrase who among you refers only to the teachers, or would-be teachers, addressed in James 3:1. But it seems more probable that, like the intervening section on the tongue (James 3:2-12), this section on wisdom (James 3:13-18) applies to everyone in the churches to whom James was writing, true believers and mere professed believers. James is seeking to identify who is truly skilled in the art of righteous living. "In what way are you wise?" he is saying, in effect, "and in what way are you understanding? The answer will reveal not only your inner character but the spiritual condition of your soul." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – James) (Bold added) - PA

V. 13 Who among you is wise and understanding - Wisdom to some cultures could include cleverness or a vast array of knowledge, but to the Hebrews there was not just knowledge, but the application, not just saying but also doing. 

Stulac explains James' question "For those who do not care about true wisdom but only want the status of being thought wise, the question is a challenge; James's answer will expose them for what they are. For those who honestly aspire to being wise, the question is an invitation; James's answer will divulge the way to attain their aspirations. James is saying, "I am about to tell you the nature of true wisdom; treasure this." Let all readers, then, first examine their own hearts before reading beyond the question posed in James 3:13. Do you really want to be wise? (James 3 - IVP Commentary) - PA

…4Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.… James 1: 4-6

…4So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? 5I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? 6Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!… 1 Corinthians 6: 4-6

V. 13b Let him show by his good conduct his works - This sort of wisdom is not merely doctrinal recitation, but just as a tree is known by it's fruit and saving faith is always produces good works, repentance, so is the way of that wisdom which comes from above. 

…3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. 5For each one should carry his own load.… Galatians 6: 3-5

…27then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He established it and searched it out. 28And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Job 28: 27-28

…17So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.… James 2: 17-19

V. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart - It is easy for me to be self seeking and dismissive of others. When I see wrong I naturally want to confront it, but it is often without love for the person who has wronged me, or has said something wrong. I think zeal is good, but it has to be matched, or even exceeded by humility. 

…2How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? 3Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds. 4Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.… Habakkuk 1: 2-4

Rod Mattoon - The word "bitter" is from the Greek word pikros which can also mean "harsh." It is derived from a Greek root word which means "to cut, prick, pierce, or fasten together." When someone gets bitter, they pierce themselves and build up or fasten together hate for someone else. The biggest loser of your hatred and jealousy is you. Two men were envious and covetous. Their ruler summoned them to grant them one wish. The first man to choose would get his wish, but the other man would get double of the first wish. The envious man spoke up first and asked that one of his eyes be put out. The other man lost both of his eyes. Envy and bitterness hurts you as well as others....Do you rejoice when others succeed or do you have a secret envy, bitterness, and criticalness in your heart? If so, you have the wits of a withering world. (Treasures from James)

Hiebert - Since the reference seems to be to a religiously motivated feeling, "bitter zeal" or "harsh zeal" seems the best rendering. Religious zeal or "enthusiasm" for God and truth is a commendable attitude, but the subtleties of sinful human nature can readily pervert it into bitter antagonism against those who do not express their adherence to God and His truth in the same way we do. (Ibid)

Jealousy (2205)(zelos from zeo = to be hot, boil) was originally a good word which described fervour or zeal in advancing a cause (cf Ro 10:2) or in rendering service. Notice that "zeal" is related to fire (to be hot, to boil), so if the fire (zeal) burns under control, the results are good and God honoring. But if zeal gets out of control, it can reduce everything to ashes (so to speak). Clearly in James 3:14 zelos is used with the negative nuance describing an unholy zeal (as in Acts 5:17+, Acts 13:45, Ro 13:13, 1 Co. 3:3, 2 Cor 12:20, Gal 5:20). This negative connotation describes envy of someone else’s possessions, achievements, or advantages. It describes the spirit which cannot be content with what it has and looks with a jealous eye on every blessing given to someone else and denied to itself. Zelos describes wanting what belongs to someone else without regard for their rights. Ropes defines it as “a fierce desire to promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of those of others." - Precept Austin

V. 15 This wisdom is not coming down from above - This isn't God's wisdom, it comes from what works best for me by human measure and reasoning. It is limited to earthly advice, like Dr. Phil, or your unsaved or spiritually immature friends. It is easy to find a million people that can hear your story and reaffirm that you are in the right, and that this or that is what you should do. Spiritual wisdom offers ends that men can't reach outside of the Spirit. It doesn't pretend to not have enemies, but tells you to love your enemies, to forgive those that slander you, to hope for reconciliation. 

…2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, 3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? 4For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?… 1 Corinthians 3: 2-4

V. 16 There is disorder and every evil practice - Pride is the root of all sin, and everything else, though sin, is but the head the pimple. 

Fetid means offensively malodorous. My wife and I returned from several weeks away from our home and immediately detected a fetid smell upon entering the house. It took us two days to discover the rotting potatoes hidden in a bin out of view! It has taken us many more days to rid the house of this fetid smell. The fetid fruit of worldly wisdom is similar, because you can "smell" something is not right in a church body, but it may take a while to discover. Even sadder it may take much longer to reverse the adverse effects of disorder and wickedness that are reaped when seeds of worldly (earthly, natural, demonic) wisdom are sown! - Precept Austin

…19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.… Galatians 5: 19-21

MacArthur - James has already made clear that disorder does not characterize God’s people but rather the “double-minded man, unstable [akatastatos]” (James 1:8) and the unredeemed tongue, which “is a restless [akatastatos] evil and full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Because “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33), biblical wisdom, on the other hand, brings harmony, unity, peace, and love. All the conflicts, crimes, battles, and wars of the world are evidence of the devastation caused by human wisdom. - PA

V. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure - It is not confusing gossip with discernment, not vengeful, not trying to get in digs. It submits to Christ, and look at the example He set, He was obedient even to the cross. You can say you forgive somebody, but how true is it if you keep smoldering on it. Even if they don't want your forgiveness, you can still give it. 

13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.… Hebrews 12: 13-15

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.… Philippians 4: 7-9

V. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace - Christ is our peace with God, as in that which has brought us back into relationship. As Christians we should easily recognize our fault in a situation and seek Christ who giveth even more grace. True wisdom would always seek peace. 

…8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.… Matthew 5: 8-10

John MacArthur - There is an inexorable causal relationship between godly wisdom, genuine righteousness, and peace. Godly wisdom produces a continuing cycle of righteousness, which is planted and harvested in a peaceful, harmonious relationship between God and His faithful people and between those people themselves. As Isaiah declared, "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever" (Isa. 32:17). As James continually emphasizes, the person who professes to be a Christian must prove it by his works, his daily living. If he is a true believer, he will possess his Lord's own wisdom, and that wisdom will manifest itself in righteous, selfless, and peaceful living. He has the revelation of God's wisdom in Scripture and the teacher and interpreter of God's wisdom in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul therefore prayed for the church at Ephesus, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. 1:17). He later admonished them, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise" (Eph 5:15). "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food," the apostle elsewhere assures us, "will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness" (2 Cor. 9:10), the righteousness "which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phil. 1:11). (Ibid) - PA