James 3:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:13

Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? - This is spoken with reference to the work of public teaching; and the meaning of the apostle is, that if there were such persons among them, they should be selected for that office. The characteristics here stated as necessary qualifications, are wisdom and knowledge. Those, it would seem, on which reliance had been placed, were chiefly those which were connected with a ready elocution, or the mere faculty of speaking. The apostle had... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:13-16

James 3:13-16. Who is a wise man, &c. People are naturally desirous of the reputation of possessing an understanding superior to that of others. Now, let us consider in what way the sense we have may be best manifested; let him who would be thought wise show his wisdom, as well as his faith, by his works; let him show out of a good That is, a holy and useful conversation, his commendable and beneficent works, with meekness of wisdom “This beautiful expression,” says Macknight,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 3:13-18

Spiritual and worldly wisdom (3:13-18)Christians must distinguish between spiritual wisdom and worldly wisdom. Some people are undoubtedly skilful in laying plans and using circumstances to achieve their goals, but their actions are often characterized by jealousy, selfishness and dishonesty. This is worldly wisdom. It comes not from God but from Satan, and results in wrong actions. It contrasts sharply with spiritual wisdom, which is characterized by humility and uprightness (13-16).In... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 3:13

endued with knowledge . Greek. epistemon. Only here. Compare App-132 . See Deuteronomy 1:13 , Deuteronomy 1:15 ; Deuteronomy 4:6 . Isaiah 5:21 ; where the same word is used in the Septuagint a = his. conversation = behaviour. See Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:13 . with . App-104 . as in James 3:9 . meekness . See James 1:21 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.The application this has for teachers was thus presented by Tasker:Any contentiousness or arrogance, any tendency to self-assertion, any desire to glory over others, is an infallible sign that the essential qualifications are in fact lacking.[32] There is a moral foundation in all true wisdom, there being an utter impossibility of any wicked person being, in any sense, wise. The true wisdom is... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 3:13

James 3:13. Who is a wise man, &c.— "Who is there then among you, that would approve himself to be wise towards God, and for himself and others; prudent in his conduct; and endued with the true knowledge of God, of Christ, and of himself; and withaspiritualdiscernmentoftheabsurdityandself-contradictionofthesethings?Let it be his great care and concern, that, by an honourable deportment in the church and in the world, he may evidently practise every kindof good works, in the whole course of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 3:13

13. Who—(Compare Psalms 34:12; Psalms 34:13). All wish to appear "wise": few are so. show—"by works," and not merely by profession, referring to Psalms 34:13- :. out of a good conversation his works—by general "good conduct" manifested in particular "works." "Wisdom" and "knowledge," without these being "shown," are as dead as faith would be without works [ALFORD]. with meekness of wisdom—with the meekness inseparable from true "wisdom." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:13

1. The importance of humility 3:13The real qualifications of a teacher (James 3:1) are wisdom (the ability to view life from God’s perspective) and understanding (mental perception and comprehension). James probably had the Old Testament sage in mind. [Note: See John E. Johnson, "The Old Testament Offices as Paradigm for Pastoral Identity," Bibliotheca Sacra 152:606 (April-June 1995):182-200.] We can perceive understanding in others quite easily, but wisdom is more difficult to identify. James... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:13-18

B. Controlling the Mind 3:13-18As in the previous chapters, James began his discussion of human speech with a practical exhortation and continued to deal with increasingly basic issues. He spoke of the importance of controlling one’s mind next to enable his readers to understand how to control their tongues. Wisdom in the mind affects one’s use of his or her tongue. Note the key words "wise" and "wisdom" (James 3:13; James 3:17), which bracket the thought of this section, as well of the... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - James 3:13

3:13 conversation (d-15) Or 'conduct,' 'manner of life,' as 1 Timothy 4:12 . read more

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