James 3:17

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:13-18

What Is Required Therefore Is Not Earthly Wisdom But Wisdom From Above (James 3:13-18 ) Having warned against the unruly tongue, James now explains how men can ensure that their tongues are under control by receiving wisdom from above. We were informed in James 1:17-18 of the giving and the gifts from above, and the effect of the word of truth, now these are to be expanded on and contrasted with what the earth offers. There is a wisdom from above which produces peace and righteousness, and is... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:17-18

‘But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.’ In total contrast to all this is the wisdom that has come from above, in those who have been born from above (James 1:5; James 1:17-18; John 3:3). There is here an indirect reference to the Holy Spirit (compare 1 Corinthians 2:11-16). This wisdom is pure... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:13-18

James 3:13-Job : . “ Who is enlightened among you, and a man of knowledge? Let him exhibit the fruits of it by a noble life, with the humility that true enlightenment brings.” We must be careful to remember that “ meekness” in popular use has lost its nobility: the Gr. word describes a strong man’ s self-discipline and a wise man’ s humility. One who is strong, and knows it, is not jealous of rivals, or frenzied with partisanship for a cause that God will prosper. Such a spirit means only... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above; true wisdom, which is of God, opposed to that which descendeth not from above, James 3:15. Is first pure; either excluding mixture, and then it is opposed to hypocritical; or rather excluding filthiness, and then it is opposed to sensual, James 3:15, and implies freedom from the defilement of sin and error, it being the property of true wisdom to make men adhere both to truth and holiness. Then peaceable; disposeth men to peace, both as to the making and... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - James 3:13-18

CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTESJames 3:13. Good conversation.—Or, his “good life”; “good conduct.” The usual New Testament idea of “conversation.”James 3:14. Strife.—Prefer “rivalry.”James 3:15. Sensual.—Or, “animal.”James 3:17. Gentle.—Lit. “forbearing.” Intreated.—Persuaded. Partiality.—Chap. James 2:4; R.V. “variance”; without doubtfulness, vacillation, which leads to wrangling.James 3:18. Sown in peace.—So as to consist in peace. “Every good deed is a fruit produced by the good seed sown in... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - James 3:17

James 3:17 I. Revealed truth the wisdom that is from above is "first pure, then peaceable." These two constitute a pair; they are connected by a link of peculiar significance and power. God preserves His own purity, and yet lifts the lost into His bosom; the guilty get a tree pardon, and yet the motives which bind them to obedience, instead of being relaxed, are indefinitely strengthened. Revelation is first pure and then peaceable; the Revealer is a just God and Saviour. II. Revealed truth is... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - James 3:17

DISCOURSE: 2369THE NATURE OF TRUE RELIGIONJames 3:17. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy tube entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.RELIGION, like a tree, must be judged of by its fruits. That which savours of pride, earthliness, or sensuality, is not of God. Its character is justly drawn in the words before us. It is,I.Holy in its nature—Religion, above all other things, is entitled to the name of... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - James 3:1-18

Let's turn to James chapter three. James first of all warns against a desire to teach the Word of God that would stem or emanate just from your own desire to be in front of people or whatever.My brethren, [he said,] be not many masters [or teachers] ( James 3:1 ),The idea of master there is a teacher,knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation ( James 3:1 ).Teaching the Word of God is an awesome responsibility, because when I stand here to teach God's Word, than I am responsible to... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - James 3:1-18

James 3:1 . Be not many masters: διδασκαλοι , teachers. In some assemblies they might all prophesy one by one, but no man should be too forward; he will never shine as a teacher, unless he be a teacher. Paul gives the same caution against premature teachers, in 1 Timothy 1:7. James 3:17 . The wisdom that is from above is first pure. It converses with glory, it hates sin, and shuns its first approach. Then peaceable, doing nothing to vex or grieve another. Gentle, full of... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - James 3:17-18

James 3:17-18The wisdom that is from above is first pureCharacteristics of heavenly wisdomI.IT IS HALLOWED. On the spirit of the man who has it there has fallen a sacred hush, as on a temple which a god inhabits. Its precincts are consecrated to worship. All desecrating principles, maxims, thoughts, purposes are excluded. It has no doubtful expedients and utters no words of double meaning. It is clear, because it has been clarified. It is open to heaven and earth without concealments. It is... read more

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