TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
Key verse: 17
NIV
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(A) by their good life, by deeds(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(D) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(F) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(K) 18 Peacemakers(L) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(M)
Cross references
- James 3:13 : Jas 2:18
- James 3:13 : S 1Pe 2:12
- James 3:14 : ver 16; 2Co 12:20
- James 3:14 : Jas 5:19
- James 3:15 : ver 17; Jas 1:17
- James 3:15 : 1Ti 4:1
- James 3:16 : ver 14; Gal 5:20, 21
- James 3:17 : 1Co 2:6; Jas 1:17
- James 3:17 : Heb 12:11
- James 3:17 : Lk 6:36
- James 3:17 : Ro 12:9
- James 3:18 : Mt 5:9; S Ro 14:19
- James 3:18 : Pr 11:18; Isa 32:17; Hos 10:12; Php 1:11
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? (A)By his good conduct let him show his works (B)in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter (C)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not (D)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, (E)demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But (F)the wisdom from above is first pure, then (G)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, (H)full of mercy and good fruits, (I)impartial and (J)sincere. 18 And (K)a harvest of righteousness (L)is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Read full chapterCross references
- James 3:13 : ch. 2:18
- James 3:13 : ch. 1:21
- James 3:14 : ver. 16; Acts 5:17; Rom. 2:8; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20; Phil. 1:17; 2:3; [Rom. 13:13]
- James 3:15 : ch. 1:17
- James 3:15 : [1 Kgs. 22:22; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:24]
- James 3:17 : [1 Cor. 2:6, 7]
- James 3:17 : Heb. 12:11
- James 3:17 : [Luke 6:36]
- James 3:17 : ch. 2:4 (Gk.)
- James 3:17 : Rom. 12:9
- James 3:18 : Prov. 11:18; Isa. 32:17; Hos. 10:12; Amos 6:12; Phil. 1:11
- James 3:18 : Matt. 5:9; Gal. 6:7, 8
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
James points out that there are two types of wisdom. There is earthly wisdom and there is spiritual, or heavenly, wisdom. Earthly wisdom leads us to live in selfish ambition. Earthly wisdom says, “I want more!” Maybe its money, or power, or prestige or position. And when we don’t get it, we become bitter and envious of those who do get it. Earthly wisdom is thus earthly, unspiritual and demonic. It sounds like a good thing to have. But it leads to disorder and evil practices.
James contrasts earthly wisdom with Godly, heavenly wisdom. Wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive to God, and full of mercy, good fruit. It is impartial and sincere. It is this kind of wisdom that allows us to love others with a pure, spiritual love, as Jesus loves us.
Is James saying that all kinds of “book knowledge”, our pursuit to find out how the world works and to make scientific advances demonic? No! Our curiosity and our intelligence are God-given. When this knowledge leads to good deeds and humility, it is wisdom from heaven.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the wisdom of God. Help me to seek your wisdom in all that I do.
One Word: Seek wisdom from heaven
