True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13-15)
Notes
Transcript
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
The following verses seem to be connected to vv. 1-2, that talks about people aspiring to become teachers. He mentioned in verse 1 that not all should become teachers because they will face severe judgment if they mislead people.
We know that teachers can mislead others to sin, because of the power of one’s tongue – that can make or break people.
We need to keep in mind that James was talking to his community in vv. 1-12. From vv. 13 and following, he was also talking to his community.
Now, there might be some who are causing issues within the Church! There is some envy that is leading to “bitter” arguments in the community (3:16, and 4:2).
For example, James 4:2 –
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
The envy and jealousy might have been caused by the wrong type of wisdom – that is, earthly wisdom, but heavenly wisdom, which is opposite to earthly, would only peace.
So, what is James saying in verse 13?
James asks: who among you is wise? Come forward! If you are truly wise, then you have to stand that claim! You must be analyzed to see if can meet that claim.
And how is this analysis done? Not based on how much theology they know or how much biblical languages they know but passed on practicality – “let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
How can one show their good conduct? It would be based on how we walk the Lord; it would be based on how obedient we are to the Lord daily. Not only this but good conduct or works must be shown in meekness or humility.
True wisdom shows humility or is shown in humility as opposed to worldly and wrong wisdom is shown in arrogance and pride. True wisdom comes from the Lord! (1:5).
This Christian, true humility comes when we understand who we are and how sinful we were, and compare that with God – who He is, how glorious He is, and how majestic and merciful God is.
This humility helps us understand that we are unable to achieve anything without God’s help and grace.
This recognition of true humility should translate toward others (Ga. 6:1; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12).
If one claims to have true wisdom, then that person must be evaluated scripturally. Jesus said He is meek (Matt. 11:29); He said, “Blessed are the meek” (Matt. 5:5). If one claims to have true wisdom, then they must “fear the Lord” (Prov. 1:7).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knwoledge.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This verse is in antithesis to what James said in verse 13. If you think you are wise, come forward and prove it; let us see your humility. Then he says, “but” if you have …
If someone lives in bitterness and envy and self-centered ambition, then that person is already living in a lie. He says he is wise, but his life doesn’t prove him to be wise. His words do not add up!
What is his point here? Bitter envy and strife in one’s heart will not produce humility. And James is pointing out this problem they have in their community.
James uses the term zēlos, which is theologically significant. There are both negative and positive uses for this term.
In a positive sense, it means, zeal or jealousy, as in God is a jealous god who demands His people to serve Him alone. Jesus displayed such zeal or jealousy when he cleansed the Temple by chasing the moneylenders out of the Temple (John 2:17).
The Jewish people who created their own gang or campaign to go against Romans with the intention of restoring the purity of Israel were called “Zealots.”
On the negative side, the term envy/zelos could also mean a desire to possess things that don’t belong to one (Acts. 5:17; 13:45). When James uses the term envy with bitter, that is telling us that he doesn’t have a positive sense in his mind.
So James’ point is that those who claim to have wisdom are not showing true wisdom, but the antithesis of humility. True wisdom represents itself in humility. But if one goes on to claim and live with selfish ambition, then that person is lying against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
That is the wisdom that is filled with envy, strife, and self-ambition does not come from above (heaven), but is earthly, sensual, and devilish.
Why? Because, the heavenly wisdom, the wisdom from above is “marked” with humility.
The statement from James, that this type of wisdom is not from above indicates its “origin.” That is why he said that this type of self-centered wisdom is not coming from above, but from the world, fleshly and from the devil.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
He further elaborates on the point he made in verse 15. The characteristics of those who claim to be wise, but present earthly, sensual, and devilish attitudes are evident in the Church. And these types of people cause “confusion” and “every evil work” within the community.
A similar term for “confusion/disorder” is used in 1:8 and 3:8 that describes the “double-mindedness” and “double-speaking” tongue. So, this type of person is unstable and restless. One cannot count on them.
The point is that a wrong kind of wisdom will bring about every evil practice – and would make a way to evil practice in the community or Church.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
This verse contrasts what verses 15-16 say. Until now he told us that the wisdom that comes from below is bad and evil. But the wisdom that comes from above is: (1) pure, (2) gentle, (3) easy to be intreated, (4) full of mercy, (5) good fruits, (6) without partiality, and (7) without hypocrisy.
We must note how James put these things in order – seven altogether. But he indicated that the first three are peace, gentleness, and submissiveness. All these three are contrary to what one who claims to have wisdom from below produces.
The one earthly wisdom is of evil practice, envy, self-ambitious, bitter, etc. But the one who has wisdom from above is very different! He is submissive, yielding to others; meek, and gentle, considerate, etc.
Wisdom from above also is full of mercy and good fruits. Mercy is one of the things James talks about in a good person (Matt. 5:7). Who is merciful according to James? The one who loves his neighbor (2:8-13). This mercy and good fruits – the acts of mercy are related to James’ thought.
The one with wisdom from above is also undivided, sincere, and without hypocrisy. He is a stable, and trustworthy person.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
The content of this verse is difficult to understand. James moved from wisdom to righteousness. But does that mean he was introducing some unrelated concern or topic? No. However, this has some proverbial style in the way it is given.
Moo says, “it is also possible to take the verse as a promise about what peacemakers will receive for their efforts; see the NRSV: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”[1]
“This righteousness cannot be produced in the context of human anger (1:20); but it can grow and flourish in the atmosphere of peace. Those who create such an atmosphere are assured by their Lord of their reward: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).”[2]
[1] Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 177.
[2] Ibid., 178.