In this verse the subject changes somewhat although the main theme of the epistle is still in mind – the futility of a form of religion, which does not produce a good manner of life. Wisdom is the principal word in this and the next five verses. He first asks the question, "Who is a wise man and endured with knowledge among you?" Let him show it, not with worldly cleverness or smart talk, but by a good manner of life. In verses 14-16 he shows there is a wisdom that comes from above, and in verses 17 and 18, he tells of the wisdom that comes from above.

Wise and understanding: The Revised Version translates the question of our verse, "Who is wise and understanding among you?" Wisdom and understanding are often linked together in the Word of God, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). There are four closely related words used in the Word of God; knowledge, understanding, prudence, and wisdom. Of these, wisdom is the highest. Knowledge is having in our minds a variety of facts. Understanding goes further; it refers to keenness in discernment, the ability to quickly see through a situation. Prudence consists mostly in foreseeing and avoiding evil. A prudent man is therefore a cautious man. A wise man is one who is able to use his knowledge in the right way and best advantage. One may not be highly educated, yet be exceedingly wise, while another may have his head packed with facts, yet be only a fool. Knowledge is the hewer of wood, wisdom the architect and builder.

The Christian's wisdom: It is possible to have a good knowledge of the Word of God; to have been trained in the best Bible College; to have absorbed all the Christian classics; yet not be wise. Some in the early church probably thought they were wise – they knew God's Word; were clever expounding it. They could knock other arguments flat. They could fight for the right, especially their own rights. How wise they were in their own conceits. Where did this wisdom come from; above? James says "No, it comes from below". All Christians, especially teachers, need wisdom. Let us make sure we have the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of men.

Holy Scriptures able to make us wise: James 1:5 tells us that God is the source of wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:15 tells us that the Holy Scriptures, which were given by God, are able to make us wise unto salvation. True wisdom is always linked up with trusting and obeying the Lord. An unbeliever may be considered a wise man by the world, but in God's estimation he is a fool. Only as we seek to shape life according to the Word of God, will we be wise. It is worthy to note in Matthew 7:24, that the wise man built his house upon the rock. Note carefully the first part of the verse. "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock". Christ is truly the rock on which we must build our salvation, but there is more in this parable. A truly wise man will build his entire life on Christ's Word, and the storms of life will not sweep it away.

"... endured with knowledge ..." (Understanding, R.V.) In connection with the word "understanding" consider, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). No matter how smart one may be, even in the things of the Lord, if his life is not clean and free from evil, he lacks understanding. We must realize that a clean life is of primal importance.

"... a good conversation ..." The word "conversation" appears often in the New Testament. The Revised Version invariable translates it "manner of life" or "behavior." When the Authorized Version was translated, conversation meant more than just talk. It referred to our whole behavior. So it is not a matter of the Greek text at all; it is just that the English language has changed.

"... conversation ..." The following five verses can be profitably linked with our verse. They all use the word "conversation" but it should always be translated "manner of life": 1 Peter 2:12 says our conversation should be honest; 1 Peter 3:1, 2 says it should be chaste; Hebrews 13:5, without covetousness; Philippians 1:27, as becometh the Gospel of Christ; then, in 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul urges Timothy to be an example in this grace.

Wherein lies true wisdom?: Now wherein does true wisdom lie? Is it in being smart, clever, or in being able to amass wealth? Is the fine talker the wise man? The world says "yes", but James does not agree. He says a truly wise man will show it by his good life, or as one has translated it, by a "beautiful life". Once more James condemns a mere form of religion, demanding a life of good works. Probably many in the early church could speak in pubic, but that was no proof they were wise. True wisdom is proved by a good life for God. Good words are good, but not enough; good deeds must be there also. Often, too much emphasis is placed on knowing and speaking and not enough on living.

"... meekness of wisdom." This is the second reference James makes to meekness. In 1:21 he says, "Receive with meekness the engrafted word". In our verse he makes meekness an integral part of wisdom. A wise man is not only a good-living man, but he is a meek man. Heavenly wisdom shows itself in a good conduct and a gentle character.

What is meekness?: Some think meekness is weakness, because some out of fear demonstrate characteristics thought to be meekness. When abused some do not retaliate because of cowardice, but this is not meekness. True meekness is: mild, calm, patient, and self-restraining – submission toward God and gentleness toward man. A meek man will take injustice and insult without complaining or anger. He is not a touchy man; you do not need to use kid gloves in handling him. True Christian meekness says, "Not I, but Christ" (Gal. 2:20).

Meekness not natural: Meekness is not natural to man. We seldom see it in an unsaved man, and not in many Christians. Man's natural tendency is to be: easily disturbed, resentful, complaining, quick to anger, and quick to retaliate. We should all seek the help of the Lord in cultivating this most important virtue.

Christ was meek: The Lord Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). He is our great example in meekness. He demonstrated it every step of His journey down here. He was: mild, patient, calm, and gentle. He was insulted, mistreated, and still He said nothing. They spat upon Him, buffeted Him, pressed cruel thorns into His brow, and nailed Him to that dreadful cross. "Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Pet. 2:23). While Christ was meek in His own cause, He could be sharp when it came to the cause of His Father. He was not easy on the money changers in the temple (John 2:14-17), and was not mild when dealing with the Pharisees and scribes, who made a great profession to godliness, yet by their actions proved their hearts were far from God (Matt. 23:13- 36).

Moses was meek: We read of Moses that he was the meekest man in all the earth (Num. 12:3). He had to bear a great deal from Pharaoh and from the children of Israel as they made their journey though the wilderness. He took it all very meekly. Moses was meek in his own cause, but as hot as fire in the cause of God.

Blessing of meekness: Meekness may not advance one in the things of the world, but it surely does bring the favor of God. "He will beautify the meek with salvation" (Ps. 149:4). "The Lord lifteth up the meek" (Ps. 147:6). "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Ps. 25:9). The Lord Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5). So the Lord is on the side of the meek, and "if God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31).

Exhortations to meekness: We have a large number of exhortations to meekness in the epistles. "I ... beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Eph. 4:1, 2). If we are to be worthy of our calling in Christ we must be meek. We are exhorted to "put on meekness" (1 Tim. 6:11). "Oh," one might say, "I just can't be meek, it's not my nature". Perhaps not; but it is not natural for any person. Nevertheless, we are exhorted to be meek, and should not be satisfied until we are. By insistent prayer, and constant watchfulness any of us can become meek – and we are neither wise nor well-pleasing to the Lord until we are.

Teachers must be meek: James probably has in mind those professing to be wise teachers, yet were causing contention among the Lord's people. He shows that a wise teacher must be more than just a clever talker. He must live a life of good works, manifesting a gentle character. Some were manifesting the earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom of verses 14-16, instead of the heavenly wisdom of verses 17 and 18.

Scripture Reading: James 3:14 (KJV)

This is in contrast to verse 13. Instead of manifesting a life of good works and meekness of wisdom, they had in their hearts "bitter envying and strife". James knew these things existed, but he does not yet flatly charge them with it. He says, "But if ye have bitter envying", etc. This is gentle severity. He really does speak severely in chapter 4:1-5.

Zealots: "Bitter envying" would be better translated "bitter zeal". There was a class of Jews at that time known as, "Zealots." They had a zeal for the Lord, but it was the bitter, factious kind. They would: argue, contest, and fight for their ideas of the truth, manifesting a spirit of enmity and hatred toward those who dared differ with them. This spirit seems to have crept in among the early Christians to some degree.

Zeal: Zeal is a splendid virtue, if properly used. We could all use more of it in propagating the gospel. Paul demonstrated great zeal, and the Lord used him marvelously. Often, those propagating error are more zealous than those propagating truth. Some of us fall short when it comes to zeal for Christ, especially when we see followers of false cults going from door to door with their teaching and literature. Even in bad weather they can often be seen on the streets offering their material.

Bitter zeal: But sometimes we do see the type of zeal that James condemns. Even today, occasionally, one will rise up in anger, and in no uncertain terms condemn those who do not agree with his view. This kind of bitter zeal and strife does not come from heaven, but its roots lie in the angry passions of the heart. Most times this bitter zeal does not aim at victory for truth, but rather at personal victory.

Religious hatred: Some terrible things have been done in the name of religion. Christ's principal enemies were the religious Pharisees. It was they who brought Him to Pilate, who accused Him, demanding His death. Paul, before he was saved, had a great zeal, but it was not according to knowledge. Because of it he persecuted Christians, consenting to the death of Stephen. Early Christians suffered at the hands of religious Jews and later from idolatrous but religious Gentiles. Still later the true Christians suffered great persecutions from professed Christians. The great persecutions of the middle ages did not come from so-called heathen, but from the Church of Rome. We need to be careful that we do no demonstrate the same spirit of bigotry and hatred toward those who differ with us. If we are to accomplish anything we must demonstrate the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

"... strife ..." "Strife" would be better translated "rivalry" or "factious". It indicates a struggle to be on top—the preeminent one. This rivalry and strife among Christians seems to have been prevalent in the early church. Paul warns against it many times. "Lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults" (2 Cor. 12:20). Evidently the Galatians were troubled with these things too, for we read among the works of the flesh, "hatred, variance (quarrels), emulations (rivalry), wrath, strife, seditions" etc. (Gal. 5:20). "Some ... preach Christ even of envy and strife" (Phil. 1:15). It is possible to preach the truth with an utterly wrong motive and spirit. A foul motive will injure the purest cause.

Abraham and Lot: Abraham and Lot both had large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. They dwelt together, but because of shortage of pasture their herdsmen began to quarrel. In Genesis 13:8, Abraham says to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." If we kept Genesis 13:8 in mind, it might save us from ever being a party to strife.

Abraham's meekness of wisdom: Abraham did a very gracious thing, demonstrating true meekness. He gave Lot the choice of the land. He said, "If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." And Lot chose that which looked like the best, the well-watered plains of Jordan. Abraham might have said, "Lot, the Lord promised this land to me, and I am the oldest, and I brought you with me, so I will take first choice and you can have what is left." Time proved that Lot did not make a wise choice. In the destruction of Sodom he lost all. Abraham was mightily blessed by the Lord. Lot was guided by wisdom from below; Abraham, by wisdom from above.

The love of Christ constraineth us: Our motives and spirit should ever be Christ-like. We should never try to win those who differ from us by hot argument or fierce denunciation. Loving persuasion will work much better. If we find in our discussions that our tempers are getting the best of us, let's slip away where we can get into the presence of the Lord about it. Make sure that in all we say or do, it is the love of Christ constraining us (2 Cor. 5:14).

Bitter zeal and rivalry today: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say there is no bitter zeal among us today? But we have all heard of a faction somewhere bitterly denouncing another, refusing to have common, decent, fellowship. Some of us have no doubt experienced that look of holy disdain, perhaps because we did agree with something. One can find parties and cliques even in groups of Christians and congregations. Some have stirred up trouble because they were not permitted to rule. When this happens it indicates an unsubdued heart; a life completely out of harmony with the Lord. If we find the least bit of this in our heart, we need to quickly turn to the Lord that He may root it out.

"... glory not ..." "Glory not" would be better translated "boast not." It is never good to boast, and certainly very wrong to boast of bitter zeal and rivalry. Yet that seems to be what some were doing. They were boasting in their ability to defeat the other man in an argument, and how they had gained the top place. And they thought it was a portrayal of wisdom. In the next verse James says that this kind of wisdom is earthly, sensual; devilish. It will ruin any work for God.

Glory in the Lord: Let's never boast of ourselves, our congregation, or our belief. Let us so live that our lives will speak for us, making boasting unnecessary. Rather than boast or fight for our beliefs, let us hold up the Word of the Lord. If we exalt the Lord and His Word, there will be no necessity to fight for what we belief. "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:31).

"... lie not against the truth." With their tongues these zealots may have been telling the truth, but with their bitter zeal and rivalry they were acting a falsehood. One's words may be true, while the tone of voice may be a lie. To act so will not help the work of the Lord. Fifteen times over the Word says "love one another." If in advocating what may be true, we show bitterness, rivalry, or hatred, we are lying against the truth.

"... lie not ..." Some are like Jehu. He says to Jehonadab, "Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord" (2 Kin. 10:16). Then he went about to kill all the enemies of the Lord; all the house of Ahab and all the Baal worshippers. However, a little further on we read this sad comment, "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel sin" (2 Kin. 10:31). Even today, some set out to destroy the enemies of the Lord, ending up lying against the truth.

Lies are terrible: Satan's lies in the Garden of Eden brought much trouble into the world. Lies have been an awful source of trouble to man ever since; even the word means little today. To act a lie is just as terrible as to tell a lie. Lies strike at both man and God.

"... against the truth." Truth is more than just telling the truth. The Lord Jesus was being tried by Pilate. In answer to Pilate's question "Art thou a king then?" He answers, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice" (John 18:37). Then Pilate asks "What is truth?" "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). These portions show us plainly that truth is more than just true speaking. Truth includes true acting as well as true speaking. Christ was truth incarnate. Some folks claim they have the truth, often meaning their dogmas are correct. We must live the truth as well as have the right doctrine. To show bitter zeal and rivalry is to act entirely different from the truth of Christ.

Scripture Reading: James 3:15 (KJV)

An Irishman once remarked that as he read this verse he trembled. Because he realized that much of his thought did not come from God. He said: “I feel that I have given in to words that demonstrated bitter zeal and rivalry, and were earthly, sensual and devilish.” How sharp James is. No doubt it was sorely needed. These evil words and actions had ruined the joy of some in the early church, even as they have today. Some think they have the mind of Christ, but show little of the spirit of Christ.

"... wisdom descentdeth not from above ..." The "wisdom that descendeth not from above" is in direct contrast to "the wisdom that is from above" of verse 17. Our verse admits there is a wisdom of this world, at least that which the world calls wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 to 3:23 Paul contrasts this earthly wisdom with the wisdom of God. This portion tells us that the world is utterly confused regarding this matter. Salvation through the cross-work of Christ is considered foolishness by the world, but we know it is the wisdom of God. "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save then that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21). "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3:19).

"... earthly, sensual, devilish." What a tragedy that some so called Christian service is, "earthly, sensual, devilish". This wisdom comes from the three enemies of the Christian: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Its sphere is the world, its nature is fleshly; its origin is diabolical.

"... earthly ..." As then, there is today much worldliness in connection with the services of God. Some of our methods are worldly and some of our desired ends are worldly, too. It is not a zeal for God that prompts some to battle for their ideas, but conceit and envy, and a desire for the preeminence. Sometimes, too, it is a lust for material things. We may be stated believers in Christ, but occasionally our actions are those of the natural man, and do not get above earthly things. Sometimes our motives are worldly and we use worldly methods to accomplish worldly purposes. Sadly, some things that are today called Christian are in fact of the earth, earthy. Of such Paul says, "Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Phil. 3:19).

"... sensual ..." "Sensual" is often translated "natural" sometimes "fleshly". It is literally "that which breathes", and so speaks of things which have to do with the body and this life. It is in contrast to that which is spiritual. Usually the natural man in the Scripture is the unbeliever, while the carnal is the believer who walks according to the flesh. Paul says, "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Cor. 3:3). The carnal man of Paul is the same as the one in James whose wisdom is earthly and sensual. Let us be sure what we are doing is not aimed at the gratification of flesh.

"... devilish." The word "devilish" would be better translated "demonical" since it is in the plural. There is one devil, but many demons. The wisdom that James' readers were showing was inspired by demons. This is perhaps true of much of the natural wisdom of man. It causes man to be at enmity with God. This tells us too, that for the most part the natural man is led by demons. Fallen man and fallen angels have much in common.

Are Christians sometimes demon led?: It’s sad but true. If not led by the Spirit, even Christians can be influenced by evil. We see this in connection with Peter and his denial of Christ. The bitter zeal and strife portrayed by these early Christians was demon inspired. Their ambitions to be the preeminent ones, to wrangle and strive for this, come not from heaven, but from hell.

James' teaching on demons and hell: James surely believed in demons and hell. Here he speaks of wisdom inspired by them. In 2:19, he speaks of a faith that may be shared by them. In 3:6, he tells of a tongue set on fire of hell. James surely would not be a popular preacher in many quarters today. Some preachers seem to be afraid to mention the devil or hell.

Satan's wiles: In many places the devil has succeeded in downing the work of the Lord through the deceitfulness of Modernism. However, in some spheres he cannot do this. The Body of Christ must be firmly grounded in God's Word. Will Satan give up? No; he will do his utmost to sow discord and contention among us all. And sad to say, he often succeeds. Let us all examine ourselves carefully and see if there be any wicked way in us.

Scripture Reading: James 3:16 (KJV)

This verse tells us the natural outcome of bitter zeal and rivalry. This wisdom that comes not from above brings "confusion and every evil work."

"... envying and strife ..." "Envying and strife" are exactly the same words as in verse 14. They mean "zeal" (in the bad sense) and "rivalry". Such things can put an assembly of Christians today in a bad way, as it did the early church. The desire to put self forward, and the strife that naturally follows, has brought great misery to many a heart. Church wreckers: There have always been men and women who feel their ideas must be forced on others – determined to have their way! They will either run things or ruin them. Sometimes we call them: elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, or leaders. Sometimes, they attempt to get various ones on their side, visiting around, calling secret meetings; flattering those agreeing with them; condemning, even reviling, those who dare disagree. They can cause great tumult in the church, leading to splits, causing some to vanish in thin air.

"... confusion ..." The word "confusion" could be translated "tumult" or "uproar". And truly many a work of God has been brought into "uproar" because of the self-seeking of some worldly-wise believer. This confusion is the devil's work. It is never of God. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33). And the Lord is highly displeased with those who bring on this confusion. "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him" (Prov. 6:16). In the next three verses we have these seven things listed and the seventh one is "and he that soweth discord among brethren". This condition of things in any assembly will certainly stay the hand of blessing: no souls will be saved, the work of God will not prosper, and the congregation will fade away.

What self-seeking can do: In most states it is illegal to hunt deer at night with a light. A deer is fascinated by a moving light, and will stand and watch it. His eyes will reflect the light and he is easy prey for the hunter. The story is told of a farmer, hunting for deer at night illegally. He saw something at a distance, and thought he had his deer. He aimed and fired. He tracked the trail of blood into his barn. There he found his horse shot dead. Often someone who has ambition to be the preeminent one in a work for God, has by his self-seeking strife destroyed the work altogether.

"... every evil work." "Evil work" has been translated "vile work". This evil zeal and rivalry is capable of producing all forms of evil. Let us not let our flesh rule, but demonstrate the spirit of meekness that comes from above – not the spirit of rivalry and strife that comes from beneath. Let these three verses be a warning. May each one of us understand that we are nothing Christ and His glory are everything.

---

    

Copyright © StudyJesus.com