BIBLE COMMENTARY/James 3: 17

JAMES 3: 17 – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

– During the modern times, as we are living in a civilized society, people are starting to think that we are much more wiser than those who lived in ancient times.
– They also think that education helps people to become wiser. Therefore, in their opinion, those who hold higher degrees of academic credentials are the most wise and intelligent.
– But, according to the Bible, that kind of view is incorrect, or in other words, completely wrong. Having a proper education only makes you smarter, not wiser.

Notes –
Smart – having or showing a quick-witted intelligence
Wise – having or showing experience, knowledge and good judgement

– In reality, in a civilized society, people committed more crimes than in the ancient times. Their crimes were more planned out, more devious, and more horrible than what happened in the ancient times. With the help of new technologies, these horrible crimes were much more possible.
– These crimes can be committed by anyone, not just a specific group of people. Among those criminals, there were many intellectuals and high academic achievers. There was not only the people that some would consider, poor, struggling or desperate. There were many rich and wealthy people among those criminals.
– The criminals in modern and civilized societies included doctors, professors, politicians, teachers, nurses, lawyers, judges, entertainers, the police force, and basically anyone who we consider “wise” and whom we consider to be “trustful.”
– When a person committed a crime or break the law, especially God’s laws, they cannot be counted as wise (for example, Proverbs 6: 32) (Psalm 107: 17) , because there will certainly be consequences if they did not repent (Galatians 6: 7, Psalm 53: 1, Ezekiel 18: 4).
– Therefore, according to the Bible, the true wisdom comes from above. It comes from God. Its characteristic are pure in heart, mind and soul, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield or share, full of mercy and good intentions, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
– Those who achieve them are truly wise. Those virtues come from God and by Him only. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit to dwell in us (Galatians 5: 22-23).

QUOTED VERSES:

PSALM 53: 1 – The fool says in his heart: There is no God. They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

PSALM 107: 17 – Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

PROVERBS 6: 32 – Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.

EZEKIEL 14: 4 – Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.

GALATIANS 5: 22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

GALATIANS 6: 7 – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.