3:9 "With it we bless our Lord
and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the
likeness of God";
"bless"-to speak well
of, praise, extol. "John Bunyan tells us of Talkative:
'He is a saint abroad and a devil at home'. Many a man speaks
with perfect courtesy to strangers and even preaches love and
gentleness, and yet snaps with ungracious and impatient anger
and irritability at his own family at home. It has not been unknown
for a man to speak with piety on the Sunday, and to curse a squad
of workmen on the Monday
It has not been unknown for a woman
to speak with sweet graciousness at a religious meeting, and then
to go outside to murder someone's reputation with a malicious
and a gossiping tongue" (Barclay p. 105).
"we curse men"-"It
is grossly inconsistent to pronounce blessings and praise upon
God and then curse those who are patterned after His likeness"
(Kent p. 123). "God despises inconsistency, and nowhere
is our inconsistency more readily seen than in the use of our
tongues. Some of the most graciously uttered prayers, some of
the most skillfully delivered sermons have been spoken by people
who later used their words to destroy someone" (Draper p.
104).
"who have been made in the likeness
of God"-The Greek here echoes the exact wording of
Genesis 1:26 in the Greek Old Testament.
Points To Note:
3:10 "from the same mouth come
both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not
to be this way."
"from the same mouth"-Which
reveals something is seriously wrong with a heart that pours out
both blessings and curses. The mixture of cursing with blessing
proves the unreality or insincerity of the good that is said.
"things ought not to be this way"-"In
the strongest possible Greek---only here in the New Testament
..His
phrase is rather like our 'It's not right!' spoken with all the
force of protesting condemnation" (Adamson pp. 146-147).
In addition, how can mere humans call down any evil upon another
person? God isn't influenced or impressed by our curses. Such
language is useless, pointless, profitless, ungodly and hypocritical
if we claim to love God at the same time we are saying such things.
Numbers 23:8 "How shall I curse, whom God has not cursed?".
"ought not to be"-the
present tense is here used, thus "these things shouldn't
keep on happening".
Let the reader be impressed with the type of illustrations which
James presents to illustrate the previous point. They are very
simple, easy to understand, and within the knowledge of most people.
God isn't trying to keep us from understanding His word, rather
He is doing everything He can to make His communication to us
easy to grasp.
3:11 "Does a fountain send out
from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?"
The above fountain would be a spring, a source of water springing
forth from the ground. Many springs in the ancient world were
unfit for human consumption. "travelers in the Holy Land
have discovered that most of the springs on the eastern side of
Judah and Benjamin are hardly fit for use; and water tasting of
sulphur or salt is commonly found there" (Woods p. 177).
Again we are brought back to the source of the above curses.
How can such things come from a good heart? The truth is, they
don't (Matthew 15:18-19). But how we rationalize and protest
that while we can say mean and hurtful things, at the same time
we didn't mean to say such things. How we claim to love those
whom we abuse!
3:12 "Can a fig tree, my brethren,
produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water
produce fresh."
Once again God selects illustrations that everyone can follow.
"From the plant life James mentions three of the commonest
agricultural products native to his part of the world-the fig
tree, the olive, and the grapevine
..The reader can draw
his own application. An inconsistent tongue is contrary to nature.
It indicates something wrong with the heart, which expresses
itself by the tongue. With such inconsistency even the admirable
things we might express from time to time are rendered suspicious
because of the contradictory uses to which our tongues are often
put" (Kent p. 125-126). If we misuse our tongue, we shouldn't
be shocked when our loved ones and others fail to believe our
apologies or attempts at being sincere. Jesus taught the same
basic truth in Matthew 7:16.
At this point it appears that James goes back to 3:1 and admonishes
the teacher or the person who wants to be a teacher to live up
to what they believe, to practice the wisdom they are imparting
to others. In addition, the connection is also that a misuse
of the tongue is a proof that one is living by earthly wisdom,
not divine wisdom.
3:13 "Who among you is wise and
understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in
the gentleness of wisdom".
"Who among you is wise and understanding?"-"But
suppose some teacher says, 'Such advice is good for those not
qualified to teach; but, I do not need it, inasmuch as I am a
wise and understanding man'" (Woods p. 180). James issues
the challenge, who really is the wise and skillful teacher? Who
really is the qualified teacher? "In an era of specialization
and emphasis on methods of effective communication, it is easy
to ignore James's message. If the concentration is upon speech
techniques, group dynamics, and motivational skills, the truth
James was insisting upon can be overlooked" (Kent p. 128).
"Which one of you is a wise and well-instructed man"
(Wey).
"Let him show by his good behavior
his deeds"-"True wisdom is the ability to live
a beautiful life, to put into practice what we say we believe
and teach" (Draper p. 105).
Points To Note:
"in the gentleness of wisdom"-"guided
by a wise gentleness" (Wey); "done in humility which
wisdom prompts" (Wms). "Gentleness" means, humility,
courtesy, consideration toward others, the opposite of a rough,
egotistical and unyielding attitude.
Points To Note:
3:14 "But if you have bitter jealousy
and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so
lie against the truth."
"But if you have"-Which
infers that a Christian could fall into this trap.
"bitter jealousy"-"habour
envy" (TCNT). A harsh, embittered envy and contentious rivalry.
"Apparently some in James's day were misusing their knowledge,
letting it become the basis for self-glorification" (Kent
p. 130). This is a zeal that has become selfish, "the person
sees himself as jealous for the truth, but God and others see
the bitterness, rigidity, and personal pride which are far from
the truth" (Davids p. 151). Paul encountered professed Christians
whose motive for teaching and preaching was to make a name for
themselves (Philippians 1:15). "This pictures a spirit
of harsh resentment, someone who cannot bear to see someone else
succeed. Some will do anything they can to hurt or humiliate
someone else who receives a degree of success" (Draper p.
106). Carefully note that selfish anger fuels envy and jealousy.
Zeal which springs from impure motives can quickly degenerate
into bitter jealousy.
"selfish ambition"-"party
spirit" (ABUV); "spirit of rivalry" (TCNT). "denotes
ambition, self-seeking rivalry, self-will being an underlying
idea in the word" (Vine p. 68). (Phil. 1:17). The ambition
which is out for self and nothing else, "and which is ready
to intrigue and to plot and to use any means to gain its ends"
(Barclay p. 107). The picture is, "canvassing, solicit
support for themselves or their faction while advancing their
own glory, pride, profit, pleasure, personal interest or ambition"
(Adamson p. 151). Paul makes it clear that the party-spirit
is an attitude which is carnal (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-3).
Woods notes, "We are not to overlook the fact that these
words were penned primarily with teachers in view, whose activities
afford frequent occasion for the temptations against which he
warns. Teachers, preachers, writers
..are all in a position
where humility is often difficult and were selfish ambition is
a constant temptation" (p. 184).
"in your heart"-This
is the source (Matthew 15:18-19). The teacher who is really going
to be a help to the people of God, must be the teacher who has
cleansed their own heart (James 1:21; Matthew 23:26). Knowledge
without the proper motives is useless (1 Corinthians 13:1-4).
"do not be arrogant"-"do
not boast in defiance of the truth
..those full of party
spirit and bitter zeal ought at least to be honest and stop claiming
to be inspired by God's heavenly wisdom" (Davids p. 151).
Those who try to preach the truth, but do so from wrong motives,
are denying the very truth that they are proclaiming. Their arrogance
was being displayed in the manner in which they were trying to
put themselves forward-rather the message they were proclaiming.
Selfish ambition and bitter envy are rooted in human pride.
"so lie against the truth"-because
the truth condemns arrogance, selfish ambition and envy (Galatians
5:19ff).
Barclay makes the following observations: "We may find in
this passage four characteristics of the wrong kind of teaching:
1. It is fanatical. The truth it holds is held with unbalanced
violence rather than with reasoned conviction. 2. It is bitter.
It regards its opponents as enemies to be annihilated rather
than as friends to be persuaded. 3. It is selfishly ambitious.
It is, in the end, more eager to display itself than to display
the truth. 4. It is arrogant. Its whole attitude is pride in
its own knowledge rather than humility in its own ignorance.
The real scholar will be far more aware of what he does not know
than of what he knows" (p. 108).
3:15 "This wisdom is not that which
comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic."
"This wisdom"-That
is the wisdom that some among James's readers were manifesting.
The wisdom that included arrogance, bitter envy and selfish ambition.
James makes it very clear that there is nothing Divine or godly
concerning such attitudes. Paul also talks about a wisdom which
isn't godly, a wisdom of this world (1 Cor. 1:20,21; 2:4-6; 3:19;
2 Cor. 1:12).
"but is earthly"-"Its
standards are earthly standards; its sources are earthly sources.
It measures success in worldly terms; and its aims are worldly
aims" (Barclay p. 109). (Philippians 3:18-19 "
who
set their minds on earthly things".) That is, a wisdom
that doesn't take into account eternal and spiritual values or
truths. A wisdom that arises no higher than this physical existence,
an under-the-sun view of life. "it is earth-bound"
(NEB). Carefully note, when God and the truths from God are
not factored into our thinking processes, we are destined to manifest
a mere earthly wisdom-which is very short-sighted. "false
wisdom is based upon earthly standards, earthly sources, earthly
aims---and measures itself by earthly success" (Draper p.
107). Macknight says, "mere worldly policy" (p. 380).
Every human philosophy is nothing more than earthly wisdom.
"natural"-unspiritual,
the person who lives, acts and thinks purely at a material level
of existence (1 Corinthians 2:14; Jude 19). Natural wisdom opposes
the things of God, refuses to accept the supernatural claims in
Scripture. Refuses to factor God into the solution to any problem
or the answer to any question. Evolution is a classic example
of "natural wisdom". Those who claim that the Bible
contains myth or error, are practicing natural wisdom. The atheist
is a practitioner of natural wisdom. The attitude is, 'our reality
is the only true reality'. The same word can be translated "sensual".
The type of wisdom which is often based on physical impulses
and desires, rather than higher considerations. The claim that
homosexuality isn't a sin, is based on "natural wisdom",
where selfish and twisted physical desires become the standard
for what is true. This is the philosophy which says if I find
myself wanting to do something, then what I want to do must be
right.
"demonic"-"demonic
in origin" (Arndt p. 169); demonic or devil-like. The type
of wisdom, rationalization and thinking practiced by the devil
and his demons. Which means that the devil himself is filled
with bitter envy, arrogance and selfish ambition. Whenever
we start manifesting such qualities, we are acting like the devil
himself. The devil tries to convince us that his path, the path
of selfishness, putting yourself first, looking out only for yourself,
and being completely unsatisfied unless you can have it all constitutes
the way to gain happiness. This also reveals that false wisdom
isn't neutral or merely useless, rather is it positively evil
and will generate more sins.
3:16 "For where jealousy and selfish
ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing."
"there is"-and not,
there might be or could be. One cannot practice such earthly
wisdom without harming self, loved ones and others.
"disorder"-"instability,
a state of disorder, disturbance" (Thayer p. 21); "unruliness"
(Arndt p. 30); "anarchy, restless disturbance" (Alford
p. 1614). This would include disorder in the home, in a marriage
and in the congregation. "There is a kind of person who
is undoubtedly clever; he has an acute brain and a skilful tongue;
but his effect in any committee, in any Church, in any group,
is to cause trouble, to drive people apart, to foment strife,
to make trouble" (Barclay p. 110). (1 Corinthians 14:33;
2 Corinthians 12:20).
"and every evil thing"-that's
quite an assertion! Every worthless, vile, wicked, base and
good-for-nothing thing. The wisdom from above is full of good
fruits, the wisdom of this world is full of trouble and evil.
"disharmony and all other kinds of evil" (Phi). "All
sorts of confusion, from public squabbles in the church to personal
tensions and frustrations, are sure to result when Christians
employ earthly wisdom" (Kent p. 134). Such verses cry out
for a complete dependence upon God and His truth. For apart from
such things, human wisdom can very quickly degenerate into jealousy,
personal ambition
and human leadership can very quickly become
tainted by human pride. God seems to be telling us here that
the damage done by earthly wisdom is immeasurable, it just never
has a stopping point concerning the evil and harm that it can
generate. "Such an attitude
leads to every conceivable
kind of evil: immorality, dishonestly, discord. Nothing good
can grow in such an atmosphere as that" (Draper p. 107).
Point To Note:
Before we move on, let us seriously reflect upon the above verses.
Do such things characterize our lives? What about our relationships
with other people and especially our brethren? What about our
marriage? If our human relationships are always in turmoil,
something is seriously wrong. Too many professed Christians
are trying to live by earthly wisdom---and this is seen in marital
conflicts and strife in too many local congregations. But God
never simply leaves us with the negative, hence the next section.
3:17 "But the wisdom from above
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy
and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy".
"But the wisdom from above"-Such
wisdom cannot be found outside of a relationship with God. People
try to be all the following things without God, but all such attempts
will end in failure (Jeremiah 10:23).
"is"-God doesn't beat
around the bush. This is what it is, this is what such wisdom
looks like in daily life. This is the wisdom that God gives
to those who faithfully serve and ask Him (James 1:5, 17). A
healthy respect for God is the first step in acquiring this wisdom
(Proverbs 9:10; 15:33; Psalm 111:10).
"first pure"-"first"-first
in rank and time, "first essentially" (Vincent p. 754).
Purity of heart, sincerity, a good and honest heart is a foundation
stone for this wisdom (Luke 8:15). The insincere, the doubters
and the manipulators can't gain this wisdom, until they change
their motives. "Pure"-Barclay says that the word pure
in Greek meant, "pure enough to approach the gods"---"The
true wisdom is the wisdom which is so cleansed of all ulterior
motives, so cleansed of self
.The true wisdom is able to
bear the very scrutiny of God" (p. 111). This wisdom doesn't
argue that the end justifies the means or "whatever it takes
to get the job done". This wisdom is concerned with motives,
with integrity and honesty. This is the person who wants God
to inspect every aspect of their lives (John 3:21; Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my
anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me";
2 Corinthians 7:1.
"peaceable"-"loving
peace" (Thayer p. 183). Here is the exact opposite of self
ambition which so often results in strife. This is the wisdom
which attempts to settle disputes rather than provoke them. Barclay
notes, "The true wisdom is the wisdom which produces right
relationships. There is a kind of clever and arrogant wisdom
which separates man from man, and which makes a man look with
superior contempt on his fellow-men. There is a kind of cruel
wisdom which takes a delight in hurting others with clever, but
cutting words" (p. 111). This isn't peace at the expense
of the truth, but it is the person who works hard at reconciling
men with men and man with God. This wisdom will sacrifice pride,
fame, and other worldly considerations for such peace. This person
is big enough to admit when they are wrong and ask for forgiveness
(Colossians 3:15; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 4:7; Romans 12:18 "so far
as it depends on you, be at peace with all men").
"gentle"-"equitable,
fair, mild" (Thayer p. 238), "sweet reasonableness"
(Matthew Arnold). The same word is rendered forbearance (Phil.
4:5). People who listen to reason, those who don't insist upon
their rights, the person who is willing to forgive, rather than
rigid and exacting in his relations with others. "being
considerate of others and making allowance for their feelings,
weaknesses, and needs. Such qualities as being equitable, fair,
reasonable, and forbearing" (Kent p. 135). Which means that
the truly wise man does not get angry, combative, or defensive
even under provocation. Woods notes, "Some assume they
are strong in argument only if they are violent in argument"
(p. 193). This wisdom believes the truth and stands for the
truth, but it does so with patience, reason, and fairness. Godly
wisdom is careful to properly represent those who have opposing
views, and to take the time to really understand what the other
person is saying.
"reasonable"-"ready
to obey" (Vine p. 269); "approachable" (Robertson
p. 47). The truly wise teacher, must himself be teachable (Proverbs
9:8-9). "in the sense of not being stubborn, and of being
willing to listen to reason and to appeal
The true wisdom
is not rigid and austere and beyond all appeal. It is willing
to listen, willing to be persuaded, skilled in knowing when to
wisely yield" (Barclay pp. 112-113). This is also the
person who is easy to talk to, who will intently listen to what
you are saying. "does not indicate a person without convictions
who agrees with everyone and sways with the wind (1:5-8; Eph.
4:14), but the person who gladly submits to true teaching and
listens carefully to the other instead of attacking him"
(Davids p. 154). "It is a poor teacher who does not learn
from his pupils" (Roberts p. 147).
"full of mercy and good fruits"-"rich
in compassion and good deeds" (TCNT); "kind actions"
(Wey). "Full of"-not just a few or some. This is
mercy and good fruits demonstrated on a consistent basis. "Mercy"-mercy
which issues in practical help. Unfortunately, it is so easy
to see someone in need and then say, 'Well, I bet it was their
own fault'. It is so easy to find a reason for not helping people,
that we end up sinning by failing to do something (James 1:27;
2:13; Luke 10:37).
"good fruits"-This
passage clearly contradicts those who would argue that Christianity
is the cause of many of the world's problems. Real wisdom is
a merciful wisdom. True wisdom is not found in the attitude,
'What is the least that I have to do to end up saved'. This
type of wisdom doesn't resent responsibilities, and neither does
it have the attitude, 'Let someone else do that'. Christians
are to be people who manifest a life full of good works (Ephesians
2:10; Titus 3:1; 14).
"unwavering"-"without
uncertainty" (Thayer p. 11); "unhesitating, not doubting,
this wisdom does not put a premium on doubt" (Robertson p.
47). A wisdom that concerning the truth is unwavering and uncompromising.
In contrast, the wisdom of the world often believes in an ethic
which is situational and would consider it foolish to sacrifice
self-advancement for the sake of principle. Barclay hits the
nail on the head when he notes, "There are those who think
that it is clever never to make one's mind up about anything"
(p. 113). God isn't impressed with the skeptic. "Here the
word seems to mean 'not vacillating', 'not acting one way in one
circumstance and another in a different one'" (Roberts p.
148). Godly wisdom is single-minded, it is focused on serving
God. "Those thus directed follow a compass which is not
deflected by worldly acclaim or selfish interests, nor by current
views announced by favorite preachers" (Woods p. 195).
"without hypocrisy"-"unfeigned,
undisguised" (Thayer p. 52). The Bible often exhorts and
commends a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5) and love (Romans
12:9; 1 Peter 1:22). This wisdom doesn't play-act. "It
does not deal in deception
.It is not the wisdom which is
clever at putting on disguises and concealing its real aims and
motives" (Barclay p. 114). This wisdom doesn't pretend.
This wisdom is straightforward, the person manifesting this
wisdom doesn't put on an act. While intrigue, scheming and plotting
are essential elements of human wisdom, the wisdom from above
is offended by such tactics.
3:18 "And the seed whose fruit
is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace".
"the seed whose fruit is righteousness"-the
seed that produces righteousness. The fruit which consists of
righteousness includes the wonderful qualities mentioned in the
previous verse. "Righteousness" is integrity, virtue,
purity of life, uprightness, the condition of being in a right
relationship with God. Definite fruit or fruits are seen in the
life of someone who is truly righteous (Philippians 1:11; Hebrews
12:11).
"the seed"-We have
access to this seed! The seed which can produce righteousness
in the lives of individuals is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Therefore, righteous fruit can arise out of any family or congregation,
when people in that relationship take the Word of God to heart.
"is sown"-This seed
must be sown! The qualities in 3:17 don't just happen or naturally
arise. Such wonderful traits must be taught and nurtured.
"in peace"-Teaching
or preaching the truth from impure motives won't bring about righteousness
in your life. "betokening the spirit and mode in which the
sowing takes place, as opposed to 'where envy and rivalry are'"
(Alford p. 1614). Too many professed Christians try to cultivate
righteousness, while at the same time of insisting upon remaining
selfish in their motivation. Too often people follow the Bible
from the motive of looking for an instant reward.
"by those who make peace"-"by
peacemakers" (Gspd); "by those who work for peace"
(TCNT).
Points To Note:
1. Again we are brought back to motive. The best personal worker, the best teacher will be the individual who is intent upon bringing men and women into a peaceful relationship with God and with each other. The person who wants others to enjoy the quality relationship with God and their brethren that they are presently experiencing. 2. Jesus praised the peace-makers (Matthew 5:9). 3. Righteousness can really only be sown by those who are presently practicing it. This isn't theoretical righteousness, but the real thing, in practice. 4. Many passages stress the idea of making peace (Romans 12:18; 14:19; Colossians 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 3:11). 5. The wisdom of this world cannot achieve such peace (Romans 3:17). 6. Peace is a reward for those who actively pursue what is good (Romans 2:10).