James 3:13

WISDOM DEMONSTRATED James 3:13

Text 3:13

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

Queries

234.

Why the question in James 3:13?

235.

To what group of people does the question probably refer? (see Matthew 23:34).

236.

To what group of people does the coupled expression wise and understanding refer in Deuteronomy 1:13?

237.

Do you think the expression here must be limited to just teachers and judges?

238.

Does the verb show describe more a manner of conduct or a manner of speech? Why?

239.

Could the verb show include the speech? How so?

240.

What are some synonyms of meekness?

241.

Is wisdom ever brazen, or lacking in meekness?

Paraphrases

A. James 3:13.

Let him who comprehends the spiritual truths and who is able to give good advice show the spirit of Christ by the life he lives with his courteous and considerate relation with others.

B.*James 3:13.

If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don-'t brag about them, then you will be truly wise!

Summary

The man who is truly respected for his inner qualities will have that respect because of his outer deeds.

Comment

The expert deserves and gets our respectful ear. We recognize his understanding; his ability to accomplish; his thorough knowledge. Without even using the term teacher, nor thinking of a teaching situation, we stop speaking and listen when he speaks. We are willing to let him show us how, for it is no shame. He is an expert!

It is of such an expert James is speaking. He has already called this man a teacher (James 3:1), and now he calls him a wise man, a man of understanding. The question that introduces the man creates an atmosphere of self-examination. and perhaps even doubt. It is natural to want to read more before being too bold in answering the question!

The sense of the verb let him show is that of demonstration. It implies conduct as a means of proof rather than the ready advice from his lips. The word conversation used in the King James might be very misleading. James is not saying, Let him show by his talk, but rather, let him show by his manner of life. Conversatio is a Latin expression for manner of life and meant just that in older English, but today it generally means talk rather than manner of life. Thus, let him show by his meanderings and turnings in life.
The manner of life could certainly include one's talk as well as his walk. It would include all of one's dealings with circumstances and with people. A word spoken is just as much a deed as a gift given or as an object stolen, but the manner of life includes even more. It implies a complication of deeds done and words spoken over a long period of time. This shows direction and purpose, or a wandering in a wilderness. Manner of life is not a word, but a testimony. It is not a step, but a walk.
With one step as a measuring device, David could have been completely condemned (as Nathan so vividly demonstrated). But when viewing his manner of life, his meanderings and wanderings through life as a whole, God said of him. a man after my own heart. We are here admonished to live such a life as to have an overall excellence. This is the good life, a life of nobility.
Such a life is not quickly patched up. It is not proved by a single deed, nor demonstrated in a single week. It is the kind of life that will cause a husband to respect his wife, or a wife her husband, after living together for twenty-years! It is expected of all Christians, and would cause any Christian to be respected by the community that knows him. This is the living demonstration of true wisdom.

Meekness implies the tight attitude. As far as showing respect for others, meekness is more important than being right. Thus the wise man will couple meekness with his good life. If the Christian's spirit is that of the meekness of Christ, then he will not be rough when he uses the sword of the Spirit of God on the tender hearts of his neighbors. He will not be egotistical in calling for repentance, but rather have the attitude of being a fellow sinner who has found grace in Christ Jesus. I-'m a sinner bound to a body of death. I once cried out -who can deliver me?-', but now I know. I have found Jesus Christ. Don-'t you need Him too? This is much more appealing to most people than the unkind, even egotistical, attitude: God will send you sinners to hell if you don-'t repent. (And I don-'t blame Him one bit! is implied).
The meek attitude is just the opposite of the unyielding spirit with which we are often tempted.
It would seem that the Christian, who once was a sinner and who turned to Jesus for help because of the error of his ways, would always be ready to admit error. But not so! The meekness that is ready to be entreated is so often absent in the very persons doing the entreating! How amazing it is that Christianity has advanced as far as it has, with the arrogant and unyielding attitudes with which Christians often approach their neighbors, and even one another.
Not that we should yield right and Godliness. Far from it! But to yield our rights is another matter. Should we sue simply because we have the legal right? Should we repeatedly remind a repentant person of his sins simply because he really was guilty? Should we bear bad news as if we rejoiced in it? Or would it not be better if we had the grace to turn the other cheek as Jesus taught us to do? Can the ungracious expect grace, or the unrepentant expect forgiveness?

God, give us this wisdom. We need it.