James 3:13

1. The importance of humility 3:13

The 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 said to look at a person’s behavior if you want to see if he or she is wise. The wisdom James had in mind did not result so much in what one thinks or says but in what one does. [Note: James H. Ropes, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle of St. James, p. 244.]

One of the marks of wisdom is gentleness, meekness, humility. The Greek word prauteti ("gentleness") occurs in non-biblical literature to describe a horse that someone had broken and had trained to submit to a bridle. [Note: Barclay, New Testament . . ., pp. 241-42.] It pictures strength under control, specifically the Holy Spirit’s control. The evidence of this attitude is a deliberate placing of oneself under divine authority. The only way to control the tongue is to place one’s mind deliberately under the authority of God and to let Him control it (have His way with it; cf. Matthew 11:27; 2 Corinthians 10:1). James’ concept of wisdom was Hebraic rather than Greek, moral more than intellectual (cf. James 1:5).

"The problem seems to be that some self-styled chief people, thinking they were endowed with superior wisdom and understanding, had divided the church because of their teaching, which betrayed a misuse of the tongue." [Note: Martin, p. 128.]

"It is very difficult to be a teacher or a preacher and to remain humble; but however difficult it is, it is absolutely necessary." [Note: Barclay, The Letters . . ., p. 107.]