It is a pleasure to turn from the last few verses that speak of wisdom from below to this verse that speaks of wisdom from above. In 1:5 James tells his readers to ask for wisdom; our verse tells of the wisdom He gives to those who ask. With a very few words he defines this wisdom, but each word is filled with meaning.

True wisdom comes from above: True wisdom is one of those good and perfect gifts that come from above. (James 1:17). The wisdom of our verse is not found in the natural man, nor in the carnal man, but only in the one who has communion with the Lord. If we are not wise, perhaps we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). Perhaps we do not have real fellowship with Him. He stands ready to give this wisdom to His people. (1:5).

Wisdom in the book of Proverbs: We have much about this wisdom in the book of Proverbs. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6). The third chapter exalts wisdom so highly that some have thought Solomon, by the Spirit, was writing of the Lord Jesus, who is wisdom personified. "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold" (Prov. 3:13, 14).

Bezaleel's wisdom: Bezaleel received his wisdom from the Lord (Ex. 31:1-5). He was the master workman in the building of the tabernacle. He needed wisdom not only for the actual making of the tabernacle parts, but spiritual discernment that he might make it according to the plan given to Moses by the Lord. Exodus 36:2 says that God put this wisdom in his heart. As we will notice, wisdom from God is primarily a matter of the heart, not the head.

Daniel and his three friends: We read of Daniel and his friends, "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom" (Daniel. 1:17). The whole book of Daniel is a demonstration of this wisdom. They truly showed that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

Disciples' wisdom: The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" (Luke 21:15). Stephen is an example of this. "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake" (Acts 6:10). If we desire to have this kind of wisdom, we too, must get from above.

Heart or intellect: In our verse we have eight things about this wisdom from above, and all of them deal with man's heart rather than with his intellect. According to the Word a man of wisdom is more than what the world calls a smart man. He is both a moral and a spiritual man.

The Scripture does not belittle the intellect, but it certainly stresses the heart condition above the mind. Even Bible knowledge, as good as it is, is not as important as a right heart condition. "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor. 13:1, R.V.).

Eight great excellencies: Wisdom from above is here divided into eight great excellencies. One has likened it to a rainbow with its variety of beautiful colors. These beautiful colors, when blended together, make pure white light. If these eight great excellencies are in a true believer, he will be a great testimony for Christ. In fact, he will certainly be Christ like. It is possible to preach a wonderful sermon from this verse about the Lord Jesus. If each of these excellencies were present in each member of an assembly of the Body of Christ what wonderful harmony would be present. Both the saved and the unsaved from near and far would be attracted to such an assembly.

"... first pure ..." The first excellency in this wisdom from above is purity. An impure man, though intelligent in other ways, in the estimation of the Lord, has not begun to be wise. Impurity in a Christian will bring great mischief. A man will injure his health and his testimony thereby. This is especially true of sexual impurity. Many a life has been ruined by this. When the world hears of it, they will not listen to a man's testimony. It will bring reproach on the name of Christ and on the name of the company of Christians with which he associates, unless he repents. Impurity often breaks up home life, too. Let us each one put it in its proper place, "first pure."

Pure in thought: All impurity begins in the mind. Therefore, it is important that we keep our thoughts clean. Besides what Satan brings to our mind, what we see and hear has a defiling effect. Therefore we should, as far as possible, refuse to listen to any impure jests and stories, and turn our backs on any impure sight. If Satan puts an impure thought in our mind, let us not harbor it, but root it out as soon as possibly. As we hate dirt and vermin, let us also hate impure thoughts.

Cleansing effect of the Word: Reading the Word will have a cleansing effect on our minds and lives. Like a pure stream carries away any impurity thrown into it, so the pure Word infiltrating through our minds will cleanse it from any defilement that may be there. The story is told of a young man who complained that even though he read the Word, he got little out it. An old man gave him a basket and told him to fill the basket with water. The young man thought it was foolish, but nevertheless tried it. Of course, the water was gone before he could get back with it. The old man said, “Try it again.” Once more he tried it, but the result was the same. When the old man asked him to do it the third time he refused saying there was no sense in it. The old man said, “Do you see any difference in the basket?” “Yes, the basket is much cleaner.” Then the wise old man explained how although he might not be able to retain much of the Word of God when he read it, yet it would have a cleansing effect on his life.

Lesser impurities: Let's avoid every appearance of evil, shrinking from anything resembling impurity. Some Christians avoid the dark, ugly stains, but are not careful about little things that have a tendency to soil the character. Let us seek to develop a fine sense that will avoid these impurities of a less serious nature.

Pure in motives: Wisdom from above is pure in all its motives. One possessed of this purity will not use impure or dishonorable methods to satisfy personal ambitions. He will only seek to please the Lord. Like the Lord Jesus, he will say, "Not my will, but thine be done."

Blessings for the pure Yes, impurity brings disaster – purity averts disasters, bringing positive blessings. It will bring joy and contentment in life and favor with the Lord. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).

Keep thyself pure: Paul in writing to Timothy says, "Keep thyself pure" (1 Tim. 5:22). Many are concerned about the impurity in others, but the first question should be: "Am I pure?" It is well to be concerned about others and the whole Body of Christ, but first of all, are we keeping ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27)? Until we are pure we can be of no help in the cleansing of others.

Undefiled: We touch and see and hear contaminating things every day. Are we like the light that stays pure in spite of touching impurity? We will not unless we stay close to the Lord Jesus, and seek to be filled with His Spirit. Christ preserved His purity in spite of His contact with impure things everyday. Even today He draws the impure to His bosom, keeping pure Himself, and purifies the impure. Oh, that we could be more like Him.

Everything from above is pure: Everything from beneath is defiled – everything from above is pure! The Word of God came from above; it is pure (Ps. 19:8). The Spirit of God is from above; He is constantly called the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Christ also came from above and "He is pure" (1 John 3:3). So, naturally, we would expect this wisdom from above to be pure, too.

Christ the pure One: "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26). He was the only absolutely pure one who ever lived in this world: listen to His words; nothing defiling ever came out of His mouth; watch His every action – purer than the freshly fallen snow; He could ask the question, "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" – no reply; during His trial, no just accusation could be brought up; and even His worst enemies testified to His purity.

"... peaceable ..." "Peaceable" is the second of the great excellencies listed in our verse. If a man is quarrelsome and factious, he does not demonstrate wisdom from above. Some in the early church, like today, showed bitter zeal, striving for preeminence, which brought turmoil and confusion rather than peace. One who is peaceable seeks rather to put an end to bitterness and animosity. True ambassadors for Christ will first seek to reconcile rebellious sinners to God, and then, among the Lord's people, to reconcile those at enmity.

Do we teach or fight?: Some are able to teach those who oppose themselves, while others will fight. Do we treat those who differ from us with contempt, or brotherly love? A spirit of ill will, temper, or bitterness, is worse than error on minor matters. If others insist on controversy, desiring to fight, let us do our utmost to show a peaceable and loving spirit. Let us not be the kind who fights for victory, but rather for purity and peace. Most people are helped by kindness and instruction – more than by insult and abuse.

"... first pure, then peaceable ..." Because our verse says, "first pure, then peaceable," some have excused their striving spirit by saying, they must fight for purity – as long as there is impurity they must fight. Especially do they strive for purity of doctrine. "Pure," in our verse speaks primarily of personal purity. Seek purity first and then peace. However, there is an unholy peace. If there is impurity among Christians, and nothing is said or done about it, there may be peace, but it is not the peace that comes from above.

Peace only in trusting Christ for the unsaved: There is no peace for a sinner in his sins. Some today preach peace to the sinner, saying, “You have nothing to worry about; you’re all right.” But one needs cleansing by the new birth, then and only then can there be true peace between our soul and the Lord. The effect of all this should make us peaceable in character.

Peaceable in every sphere of life: "Follow peace with all men" (Heb. 12:14). We should seek to produce peace in the Body of Christ, and also in every other sphere of life. Are we peacemakers or trouble-makers at home? Do we get along well with our neighbors? How about our place of work? Are we often in trouble there, or do we get along well with fellow workmen? "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9). "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18).

He is our peace: "He is our peace" (Eph. 2:14). When He came into the world the angels said, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). When he left He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27). In Isaiah 9:6, He is called "The Prince of peace." If we are not peaceable it is because this Peacemaker is not enthroned in our hearts as He should be.

"... gentle ..." Paul says, "I ... beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1). How gentle He was with Nicodemus and the woman at the well of Samaria. He was never hard on anyone except religious hypocrites. He is the Shepherd, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young" (Is. 40:11). As Christians, do we show some of His gentleness?

Paul was gentle: Paul demonstrated this gentleness. He could write, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children" (1 Thess. 2:7). He always showed this spirit of love and kindness. Every servant of the Lord should be like that. "And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men" (2 Tim. 2:24). Paul exhorts all Christians, "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men" (Titus 3:2).

Sweet reasonableness: Gentleness is sweet reasonableness. A gentleman or gentlewoman is forbearing, courteous, considerate. Such are never biting, sarcastic, or filled with harsh criticism. Such are quick to excuse the failings in others rather than condemn them. Such are never rude, overbearing, or soon angered. They are kind even when greatly provoked and violently opposed. They are kind in the assembly, at home and in the world. If this gentleness was general among all Christians, how wonderful it would be. There would be fewer wounded hearts, irritated minds and sleepless nights. "Oh, Lord, give me gentleness."

"... easy to be intreated ..." Our Lord Jesus was easy to be entreated. Anyone could come to Him at any time of the day or night, and He was ready to hear and grant their requests. Defiled lepers, sinful women as well as Pharisees like Nicodemus, came to Him and found Him easy to be entreated. As we read through the Gospels, we find Him responding to every cry of help. Blind Bartimeaus cried out, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38). Peter, sinking in the boisterous waves, cried out "Lord save me." Even today, when any cry out to Him, He hears.

Are we easy to be intreated?: If we are easy to be entreated we are quick to forgive. We will bear with the sins of others, have a sympathetic heart, and be quick to assist the needy. We will be: submissive, cooperative, ready to obey authority, approachable, ready to listen, open to conviction, easily pacified, and ready to admit wrong.

Hard to be entreated: Some are the opposite of all this, but still think themselves wise. Some hold grudges for years, and while they may say they forgive, they never forget. Some are hard on any who err, having no sympathy for failing or suffering. They can be as obstinate as a mule, and will not change their mind or ways. You do not ever ask them to help, because you know that what you want to do will always be wrong, in their estimation. They resent any authority over them at home, in the assembly, or at work. They must be boss, or they will not go on. Hopefully, none of these things fit us. If they do, we are not wise in the eyes of the Lord.

"... full of mercy ..." James says this wisdom is "full of mercy." How wonderful not only to be merciful, but "full of mercy". If we are full of the Holy Spirit like Stephen (Acts 6:5), or Barnabas (Acts 11:24), we will be full of mercy also. Stephen not only was filled with the Holy Spirit, but also faith and power (Acts 6:8). It is said of Dorcas, that she was full of good works (Acts 9:36). Our Lord Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). How wonderful to be a full man or woman when the Lord and His graces fill us.

"... mercy ..." A wise man is a tender man; he will have sympathy for the fatherless and the widow (James 1:27). He will show compassion and kindness for the downtrodden, the suffering, and the undeserving. He helps those in need, forgiving those who offend. The Lord has been so merciful to us; should we not show mercy to others? Let us not be like the wicked servant, forgiven much, yet showed no mercy toward his fellow servant, who owed him so little (Matt. 18:23-35).

"... good fruits ..." The word "full" applies to "good fruits" as well as "mercy.” "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). Good works do not in and of themselves produce salvation, but salvation does produce good works (Eph. 2:8-10). If one is born from above and has wisdom from above, a stream of good works will follow in his track. He will be like our Lord Jesus, who "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). How wonderful it would be if all of us were actually hunting for opportunities to do good to the Lord's people, and those who know not our Lord.

Effect of good works: A little boy once said” “My sister got a nickel and I don't have any.” A Christian standing nearby gave him a nickel, and some say that was the first step in winning his father to Christ. The whole family was later brought to Christ. The story is told of a Bible School teacher, who, at the end of the year gave the children a little treat of apples and oranges. A lady said, “What kind of place is this, where no collection is taken from the children, yet, you give them apples and oranges?” Out of curiosity she came to see, and as a result was later born again. Little acts of kindness may do what hours of preaching, teaching, and reasoning cannot accomplish.

"... fruits ..." "Good fruits" immediately reminds us of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). Is our tree hanging heavy with luscious fruit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance?" How wonderful is a tree laden with fruit! Surely our Lord is equally delighted to see us loaded down with His "fruits of righteousness" (Phil. 1:11). Only life from Him and submission to Him, will produce these good fruits.

"... without partiality ..." "Without partiality" is translated "without variance" in the Revised Version. It is literally, "undistinguishing." A man with wisdom from above has impartial and pure motives, not favoring rich above poor, wise above ignorant, or good above bad. He will not favor his own nationality above another. He will be like the Scriptures that continually say, "whosoever", "anyone", "any man". Have you ever heard of a preacher who would not preach some truths so not to offend certain well-to-do members, or church leaders? One should never be partial in this way. It is not right or wise, and the Lord will not bless it.

Fixed principles: An impartial man is a man of fixed principles. He is not one way today and another way tomorrow; he does not play politics; he is not turned about by self-interest or the opinions of others. With him right is right and wrong is wrong, today, tomorrow and forever. He is not like the weather vane, turning whichever way the wind blows. You can know he will always be on the side of right, consistent, persistent and unfaltering, yet gentle. If he errs it will be because of misunderstanding, not because of partiality. At heart he is no different from the Lord Himself, who was "no respecter of persons." The Lord was so impartial that they condemned Him for it. They said "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luke 15:2). Are we like Him, willing to associate with the poorest of the poor and sinners at that, in order to lift them out of sin and degradation?

"... without hypocrisy." Most of us think of a hypocrite as one who professes to be a Christian, but really is not. This they do to help their business or to gain respect. They are like the man who wanted to borrow the preacher's coat, so he could the more easily sell his good-for-nothing horse. Such really are hypocrites, but not the only ones. Even a Christian can show hypocrisy at times. If we profess to love one a great deal whom we really despise, we act hypocritically. Let's never be like Judas, who kissed the Lord Jesus and then betrayed Him. To profess zeal for something we really do not believe in is hypocrisy. How enthusiastic some act and talk when it is to their advantage to do so. Some talk and act as though they were very generous, but if we only knew the truth, we would find them very stingy. Such are hypocrites and do not show this wisdom from above.

Honest and sincere: One who is without hypocrisy will not profess to be something he is not. You can depend on what he says. He is perfectly honest and sincere; he is filled with simplicity and godly sincerity. He does not put the good fruit on top of the basket, nor does he substitute a poorer grade than that which is ordered. He does not fill the crack in the pottery with wax, but is perfectly transparent in all his ways. He is like Nathanael, "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile" (John 1:47). “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18).

Scripture Reading: James 3:18 (KJV)

In this verse righteousness and peace are brought together. They are normally considered opposite virtues. It is thought that if righteousness is given its rightful place, there can be no peace; and likewise if peace is given its place, there can be no righteousness. Righteousness demands that wickedness be punished, but peace demands that they be pardoned. However, in Christ and His cross: "Righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Ps. 85:10). On the cross He met the demands of a sin-hating God, and now as a result, guilty sinners can have pardon and peace. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). Now the moment a sinner puts his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, obeys His Word, and is born again he is declared righteous and has peace with God.

Righteousness and peace: It is difficult to discern from our verse whether it is peace that produces righteousness or righteousness that produces peace. We have the fruit and the seed and they are always closely related. In the fruit is the seed, and in the seed is the fruit; so perhaps both are true. It is something like the chicken and the egg. The egg produces the chicken and the chicken produces the egg. Perhaps it could be explained this way; the seed is peace, the fruit righteousness, which again produces peace. In the world these virtues are separated, but in Christ and Christianity they are inseparably linked together.

Contention does not produce righteousness: From what has gone before it is evident that there was much contention among the early Jewish Christians. Perhaps the contenders thought it necessary to battle to maintain their righteous position. In James 1:20 we read, "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Righteousness is not sown in war and strife. It is the calm man with the controlled temper, controlled by the Lord, who produces the righteousness of God. The sons of contention sow strife and reap confusion and every evil work (verse 16).

The righteous do not cover sin: The righteous, in order to maintain peace, do not gloss over sin nor cover it up. They are like the physician who will diagnose the disease, and seek as gently as possible, to apply the remedy. The physician does not kill his patient to get rid of the disease, but seeks a remedy for it. Some of the medicine may be distasteful, but the sick one knows he gives it for his own good.

"... righteousness ..." "Righteousness" is an excellency greatly to be desired. We are righteous in Christ. The result of this should be a righteous life for Christ. Before being too much concerned about the righteousness of others, let us be very sure that our own lives are righteous in every way. This will bring great reward in this life and in the one yet to come. The book of Proverbs is filled with this. "The righteous shall flourish as a branch" (Prov. 11:28). "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life" (Prov. 11:30). "The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth" (Prov. 11:31). "To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward" (Prov. 11:18). This is the subject from the beginning through chapter 3:20. Then it takes up the righteousness that is imputed to those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus. The last five chapters take up the righteous life that should result from being righteous in Christ. This righteous life will bring peace in the heart and peace with others too.

Chastening and righteousness: Paul speaks of the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" in Hebrews 12:11. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous…nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby". The Lord is so eager to produce righteousness in His children, that He will chasten them to produce it. If we are feeling the chastening hand of the Lord, let us seek to be exercised about it, so that we may know the purpose of it all, and quickly learn the lesson He desires to teach us. Having learned the lesson, let us be careful never again to walk in the path of unrighteousness.

"... sown in peace ..." "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). If we sow peace, we shall reap peace. If there is trouble among Christians, let us work for peace. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9). You may feel like weeping at conditions as they are. Go ahead and weep, but continue to sow peace. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Ps. 126:5). We will not only reap peace, but the blessed fruit of righteousness too. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).

"... of them that make peace." "Of them that make peace," would be better than "for them that make peace." The ones who sow the seed are the ones who reap the harvest. The spiritual farmers, who sow the good seed of peace, will be the ones who will reap the excellent harvest of righteousness and peace. Sinners will be reconciled to God, and saints will have peace in their hearts and peace with one another. There will be blessing, prosperity, and joy.

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