James 3:13 - Meaning and Application

James shows here the difference between people who only seem wise and those who truly are. He also contrasts wisdom that comes from below, from earth or even hell, with wisdom that comes from above. He begins with true wisdom, its marks, and its fruits.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by a good life his works with meekness that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13). A truly wise person is also a well-informed person. He does not pretend to be wise without real knowledge, and he does not value knowledge if he cannot use it well. True wisdom always joins knowledge with sound judgment.

If a person is truly wise, it will show in a good life. This does not mean only in words, but in the whole pattern of life. Wisdom is shown by actions that are useful and good, not by impressive ideas alone. No one is wise in Scripture’s sense if he only thinks well or talks well, but does not live well.

True wisdom also shows itself in meekness, a gentle and humble spirit. It is wise to restrain our own anger and patiently bear with the anger of others. Meekness helps wisdom, because strong feelings keep us from clear thought and fair judgment. When we are calm, we can listen better and speak better.

James then strips away the boasting of people whose lives are marked by bitter envy and rivalry. “If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and do not lie against the truth” (James 3:14). No matter what they claim, they have no reason to boast if they tear down love and peace. If their zeal for truth only makes others hated, or if their claims to superior knowledge only show spite, that is a shame to the Christian faith. It flatly denies the truth they say they believe.

Envy and strife are the opposite of the meekness that belongs to wisdom. They both live in the heart, but wisdom and envy cannot rule the same heart together. Holy zeal and bitter envy are as different as the fire of heaven and the fire of hell. When envy starts, it stirs up conflict. Conflict then leads to self-exaltation and lies, and soon confusion and every kind of evil follow.

Those who live in malice, envy, and quarrels live in disorder and are open to many sins. Such unrest creates temptations, strengthens temptations, and brings heavy guilt. One sin breeds another, and the harm can spread far. Can wisdom that produces this kind of fruit be something to boast about? To claim that it is, is to speak against Christianity itself.

James explains where this kind of wisdom comes from. “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:15). It grows out of earthly motives, serves earthly goals, and stays focused on earthly gain. It is “unspiritual,” meaning it is merely natural, human, and driven by ordinary reason without God’s light. It is also demonic, because it does the devil’s work by creating trouble and harm, and because it is stirred up by the same pride and accusing spirit seen in the devil (Titus 1:6). Those who are lifted up by such wisdom are in danger of the same judgment.

James then gives a beautiful picture of wisdom from above. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality” (James 3:17). True wisdom is God’s gift. It does not come merely from human company or worldly learning, as some suppose. It comes from above, and it has several clear marks.

First, it is pure. It is free from corrupt motives and hidden aims, and it does not allow known sin. It seeks holiness in both heart and life. Then it is peaceable. Peace grows out of purity, and true wisdom works to keep peace from breaking and to restore it when it is lost. In families, churches, kingdoms, and all forms of human dealings, heavenly wisdom makes people peaceable.

It is also gentle. It does not insist on the strictest rights in every matter, and it is not harsh in judging others. It does not rage over opinions, push its own views beyond their worth, or treat opponents more severely than they intend. It is not rude, overbearing, or cruel. Gentleness stands against all of these.

Heavenly wisdom is also willing to yield, easy to persuade. That does not mean a weak or faulty softness. Rather, it means a readiness to listen to God’s word and to accept fair and reasonable advice or requests from others. It can also give up a dispute when there is a good reason and a good purpose for doing so.

It is full of mercy and good fruit. That means it is inwardly disposed to kindness, both in helping those in need and forgiving those who offend. And when proper opportunities come, it actually does these things. Heavenly wisdom is also without partiality.

The original word, adiakritos, means free from suspicion or from unfair judgment. It means we do not make hasty guesses, and we do not treat one person better than another. The margin reads it as “without wrangling,” that is, not acting like party followers who argue only to defend their side, or who criticize others simply because they are different from us. The wisest people are usually the least likely to be fault-finders.

This wisdom from above is also without hypocrisy. It has no hidden tricks or false show. It does not fit with the kind of clever, crooked methods the world often calls wise, but it is honest, open, steady, and the same at all times. Oh, that you and I would always be guided by this kind of wisdom, so that, with Paul, we could say, “Not with worldly cleverness, but in simplicity and godly sincerity, by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves” (2 Corinthians 1:12).

Finally, true wisdom goes on to plant the fruits of righteousness in peace, and, if possible, to make peace in the world (James 3:18). What is planted in peace will bring in a harvest of joy. Let others gather the results of quarrels, and whatever benefit they think they can get from them. Let us instead keep sowing the seeds of righteousness in peace, and we can trust that our work will not be wasted. “Light is planted for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).